Welcome

Introduction to Our Site
Malta is known to many people only for its sunshine and for its beaches, but few people know about Malta's natural beauty. This is why there aren't many local people interested in Birdwatching in Malta. The lack of information about the Birds of Malta doesn't make Malta a common destination for foreign Birdwatchers either.

This website, Birding in Malta, is a very informative website, designed to help both the locals and the foreigners to learn more about the Birds of Malta and lead them to understand that in Malta, a wide variety of Birds can be seen, especially during migration.

The main part of this website is the "Birds of Malta" section. As its name suggests, in this section one finds the list of the Birds of Malta, with a seperate page for many of the birds (we are working to eventually cover all of the Birds of Malta), containing an overview of the bird and its status here in Malta, Photographs (all taken here in Malta) and even sounds and videos.

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Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta

Another important section in this website is the "Where to Go" section, which covers the best Birdwatching sites in the Maltese Islands, making this website a very handy tool for locals who want to take up the hobby of Birdwatching and for foreigners who are planning a Birding holiday here in Malta.

Last, but not least, comes the Photo Gallery of this website. The Photo Gallery contains a large selection of photographs of the Birds one can see in Malta and even photos of other wildlife such as dragonflies, butterflies, wild flowers and more.

After browsing through Birding in Malta you will surely be amazed by what Malta can offer to a bird lover, and if it's not already in your holiday list, we are sure you'll add it immediately !!

Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta

Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta

Introduction to the Maltese Islands
Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean Sea (in its eastern basin), some 93 km (58 miles) south of the Italian island of Sicily across the Malta Channel. The Islands' total surface area is 316km squared with a population estimate of more than 400,000. Only the three largest islands Malta, Gozo, and Comino are inhabited. Naturally, the archipelago enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate.

The smaller islands are uninhabited. The islands of the archipelago were formed from the high points of a land bridge between Sicily and North Africa which became isolated as sea levels rose after the last Ice Age. Numerous bays along the indented coastline of the islands provide good harbours. The landscape consists of low hills with terraced fields. The highest point is Ta' Dmejrek on Malta Island at 253 metres near Dingli. Although there are some small rivers at times of high rainfall, there are no permanent rivers or lakes on Malta. However, some watercourses have fresh water running all year round at Bahrija, l-Imtahleb and San Martin, and at Lunzjata Valley in Gozo. Unlike many people think so, the south of Malta is not Europe's most southern point; that distinction belongs to the Greek island of Gavdos.

Due to the large population compared to the size of the Islands, there is a very large pressure on Malta's natural resources and on the countryside. There are very few un-urbunized areas in the Maltese Isalnds and many of these areas are agricultural land rather than natural habitats. Nevertheless, there still exist a good number of habitats that support quite a wide variety of natural wildlife. Unfortunately, in many of these natural places bird hunting is allowed. As many people know, Malta has a very serious problem with illegal hunting as many of the hunters do not respect the laws and kill many protected birds each year. Bird Trapping is also a big problem because apart from the large amounts of birds being trapped each year, many trapping sites are built on garigue, destroying large areas of natural habitat.

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Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta

With the islands situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, Malta is considered to be a key spot in the migration routes of birds where many birds pass over the islands while they are migrating, both in Autumn and in Spring. Many of these birds only stop by for a short period of time and use Malta as a resting and feeding place during their long journeys. These stops are very important for birds as they allow them to re-gain the energies they need.

The main organisation dedicated to protecting Malta's birds is Birdlife Malta, the largest nature conservation NGO in Malta. The organisation was founded in 1962, originally named Malta Ornithological Society (MOS). Since then, the organisation has grown a lot and it has gained extremely important achievements in bird conservation. Birdlife Malta is also the authority in bird studies and runs also Malta's bird ringing scheme. A recent achievement accomplished with the hard work of Birdlife Malta is the ban on spring hunting and the ban on finch trapping.

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Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta Birding in Malta

Although a lot of work still needs to be done, especially with illegal hunting still going on, the situation in Malta has improved drastically over the recent years and one can now enjoy the birds in their natural habitats in many places which used to be a killing spot for birds. A proof of this is that in the last couple of years an increase in the breeding birds populations and even new breeding birds were observed.