Rdum Tal-Madonna (47)
Malta, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Rdum Tal-Madonna, L-Ahrax
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.0000, Longitude: 14.3667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 25
Area of KBA (km2): 0.40654
Protected area coverage (%): 98.11
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A promontory in the L-Ahrax area, where there is a 200 m stretch of sea cliffs (25 m high) at the base of which there is a lot of rock debris.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: The cliffs support one of the largest colonies of Puffinus yelkouan in the species's range. Notable numbers of Calandrella brachydactyla and Sylvia conspicillata (locally decreasing) breed along the cliff-tops.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Shooting and trapping of birds takes place along the cliff-tops. The colony of Puffinus yelkouan is monitored through bird-ringing activities.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Light pollution | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future |