Foresta 2000

Description
Foresta 2000 is situated in the north of Malta opposite the town of Mellieha. Foresta is under the Red Tower close to Ghadira Nature Reserve. Foresta 2000 is Malta�s largest afforestatation project created by Birdlife Malta and today managed by Birdlife Malta, Din il-L-Art Helwa and Park. Over 15,000 trees have been planted in recent years creating a Mediterranean woodland. The area covers 104 hectares of land which is planted with indigenous trees like Aleppo Pine, Holm Oak and some shrubs. Nature took over the site and many birds and other animals can be seen. From Foresta 2000 one can see a beautiful view of the sea, Ghadira beach and the nature reserve of Ghadira. Foresta 2000 is a protected area where no hunting and trapping is allowed.

View from Foresta 2000 with areas covered with Narcissus Foresta 2000 is very good to watch bird species such as the Hoopoe

What to See
Resident and Breeding Birds: Sardinian Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush, Spanish Sparrow and also Collared Dove. Short-toed larks can also be heard singing over the nearby garrigue.

Summer Highlights: Summer is a quiet time for birding since it is rather hot and little bird movement occurs. Sardinian Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Short-toed Lark, Blue Rock Thrush, Collared Dove and the abundant Spanish Sparrow.

Winter Highlights: Robin, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Song Thrush, Starling, Yellow legged Gull (Flying Over), Blackcap, Stonechat, Cahffinch and Goldfinch. Listen for crests calling from the Aleppo Pine trees.

Autumn Highlights: Foresta 2000 can produce some good birds on good days. Look for any herons flying over mainly Grey and Night Heron. On good days for raptors scan the sky for Honey Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Montagu�s Harrier, Hobby and Kestrel. Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Turtle Dove, Quail, Wryneck, Song Thrush and Yellow Wagtail . Hirundines include House and Sand Martin, Barn Swallows and Common Swifts. Sardinian Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler and Yellow- Browed Warbler (Rare). Finches include Chaffinch, Linnet and Serin.

Spring Highlights: Grey Heron, Night Heron, Honey Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon (Late May), Turtle Dove,, Wryneck, Cuckoo, Great Spotted Cuckoo(rare) Bee-eater, Golden Oriole, Hoopoe, Hirundines, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear Whinchat, Woodchat Shrike, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Spotted, Pied and Collared Flycatcher. also.

Best time to Visit
In Autumn migration(Sep-Oct) and Spring Migration(March-May)

How to Get There

Bus Number: Public Transport: From Valletta catch 45, From Sliema catch 645. Stop at far end of Ghadira Bay Hotel or at the top of the hill below the Red Tower.

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