The Eurasian Spoonbill is a scarce and irregular species on the Maltese islands during migration, with no sightings whatsoever in some years. Less than 5,000 pairs can be found within the European Union, and this one was spotted at the Ghadira Nature Reserve yesterday. The Eurasian Spoonbill is a Species of Conservation Concern and is given extra protection under Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive. Its global population is concentrated in Europe, although the bird remains rare throughout the world. Serious international conservation efforts have seen an increase in its population in recent years. The species is still resting at the Ghadira Nature Reserve to date. Photo Christopher Cachia Zammit