News

The Malta Environment Foundation (MEF) forms part of a global network of foundations, under UK-based charity Conservation Collective, which fund grass-roots conservation projects that aim to protect the environment, restore nature and safeguard against climate change. In 2025, MEF awarded €10,000 to fund our research into the Blue Rock-thrush's ecology, while engaging the general public in the process to convey the importance of urban biodiversity for human wellbeing. We will be collaborating with Friends of the Earth Malta and BirdLife Malta, as well as climbing communities Malta Rock Climbing Club and ClimbMT. 

Read more about the grant here: https://maltaenvironment.org/grants/merilli-malta/

M00, or Leli, is a male Blue Rock-thrush that we colour-ringed on the 17th of March 2022 on Manoel Island. From his plumage, we were able to determine that Leli hatched the previous year, in the spring of 2021. Leli has been resighted on Manoel Island over 15 times, regularly occupying the same spots on the island. Over the past years he has likely been breeding with the colour-ringed female M02, who occupies the same territory as Leli.