BirdLife Malta yesterday said it was concerned at current embellishment works being carried out on the belvedere at Wied Babu in Zurrieq.

Of particular concern, said the NGO, were plans for the installation of lights overlooking the valley and in particular the sea cliffs as it is feared that these will be detrimental to the local fauna.

BirdLife Malta reminds the authorities that following studies carried out on the area, it had identified the mouth of the valley at Wied Babu and the nearby sea cliffs as Important Bird Areas of EU Importance (IBA no.Mt007) (Borg & Sultana 2004).

The site is one of ten sites hosting important colonies of Cory’s Shearwater (Ciefa) and Yelkouan Shearwater (Garnija) in the Maltese Islands. The two species are Annex I species under the Birds Directive and the site should be declared a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the same directive. Lights in the area will cause the shearwaters to desert the colony, said Birdlife. The introduction of electricity and subsequent installation of lighting at Xlendi Bay in Gozo has led shearwaters to desert the breeding colony.

BirdLife Malta is also concerned at the manner in which the works are being carried out on the site, which is also a candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the Habitats Directive.

While BirdLife Malta is not against embellishment works carried out for the benefit and enjoyment of the Maltese, it recommended that the ministry and department undertaking such works should be more sensitive towards the natural environment.