Nature Reserves in Malta

Three sites worth a visit

Malta, with its overwhelmingly dense human population and persistent illegal hunting, has very little room for birds. Birdlife Malta manage three nature reserves in the northern half of the country and although small, they are worth visiting. Species common elsewhere in Europe survive here in tiny numbers and demand that you re-evaluate your appreciation for them.

There are of course other great sites for wildlife in Malta and Gozo that I will cover as my time here goes on.

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto has a stronghold at Foresta. February 2016

Ghadira Nature Reserve

Ghadira NR, a designated Ramsar site and a Special Area of Conservation, lies just north of Mellieha in Malta. The site comprises of two pools of brackish water surrounded by low tamarisk scrub and patches of reedbed. Islands provide habitat for roosting wetland migrants and Black-winged Stilt and Little Ringed Plover breed in the summer. Two hides overlook the water.

Over the past month the diversity stayed low with my highlights including Black-necked Grebe, Teal, Shelduck, Common Sandpiper, Curlew and Greater Flamingo.

This is also the best site I have found so far for seeing Chameleon.

Ghadira Nature Reserve with two Greater Flamingo in the foreground. February 2016

Is-Simar Nature Reserve

Is-Simar NR lies at the head of St. Paul's Bay in the town of Xemxija in northern Malta. Although tiny, the year-round pools, reedbeds and dense scrub provide crucial habitat for wetland species. The Coot and Little Grebe breed only here in Malta, and Little Bittern has bred in the past. Large numbers of Spanish Sparrow and Starling roost here and Chiffchaff, Western Stonechat, Cetti's Warbler, and Sardinian Warbler are common.

I have seen Water Rail, Common Snipe, Teal, Shelduck, Song Thrush, Firecrest and Greenfinch here among more familiar species.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus colybitta at Is-Simar. February 2016

Foresta 2000

Overlooking Ghadira, Foresta 2000 lies on the southern slopes of a ridge that runs east-west across the northern tip of Malta. One of the only areas of semi-mature trees on Malta, it is a result of a very successful reforestation program. A mosaic of native conifers, scrub and rambling farmland has created many niches and sheltered spots for birds. Collared Dove, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstart, Robin, Chiffchaff, Western Stonechat, Zitting Cisticola and Meadow Pipit have been common here this month, and it has been reliable for the less common Goldcrest, Blackbird and Song Thrush. My only Corn Bunting was seen in the agricultural area here.

Reforestation at Foresta 2000. February 2016