Ghajn Rihana Valley
DescriptionGhajn Rihana is a valley situated between Mosta and Bidnija near Victoria Lines. Water is present in the valley from winter until late July. The valley consists of a stream and water pans along some cultivated fields and some maquis habitat. The water joins with other streams until it reaches the sea at Salina. Ghajn Rihana is not protected where hunting and trapping takes place in some months of the year.
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| The Valley of Ghajn Rihana | Ghajn Rihana has a good habitat for crake species, such as the Little Crake |
What to See
Resident and Breeding Birds: Moorhen, Cetti's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spanish Sparrow and Tree Sparrow.
Summer Highlights: Summer is the quietest time. Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Common Swift, Sardinian Warbler, Cetti''s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola and Subalpine Warbler can make an early appearance.
Winter Highlights: Green Sandpiper, Robin, Starling, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Dunnock, Chaffinch and Linnet.
Autumn Highlights: Herons include Grey and Night Heron. Marsh Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Hobby, Kestrel, Turtle Dove, Wryneck, Hoopoe, Song Thrush, Northern Wheatear, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Whinchat, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler and Wood Warbler.
Spring Highlights: House Martins are the earliest migrants to appear in February and can be seen hunting insects on the water followed by other migrants later on. Grey Heron, Purple Heron and Night Heron, Marsh Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Common Kestrel and Lesser Kestrel. Spotted Crake and Water Rail. Common and Green Sandpiper. Yellow-legged Gull, Common Snipe, Skylark, Turtle Dove, Bee-eater, Hirundines, Whinchat, and more. Passerines include Sedge Warbler , Great Reed Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Wood Warbler , Willow Warbler and Common Whitethroat. Pied Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher. Chaffinch and Linnet.
Best time to Visit
Spring and Autumn.
How to Get There
- Public Transport:- From Valletta:- 45 and 49.
Stop at the 2nd bus stop after leaving Mosta down the hill. There should be a sign reading” Bidnija Horse Riding.” Walk down the hill and take your first left to a small country road. Birdwatch along this road.
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