Ta' Cenc
DescriptionTa' Cenc is situated in Gozo near the village of Sannat. The habitat consists of garrigue and cliffs. The area is rich in biodiversity especially in breeding sea birds. The area is protected where hunting and trapping is probited. The area is also a bird sanctuary and also an IBA (Important Bird Area). The area is privately owned but the owner lets people of the public to birdwatch and enjoy a walk. The area is a beautiful place to walk and one can see a wonderful, typical Maltese sea view.
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| The Cliffs at Ta' Cenc | Whinchat, sometimes large numbers are seen at Ta' Cenc in Spring |
What to See
Resident and Breeding Birds: The cliffs hold the largest colony of Cory’s Shearwaters in the Maltese islands and a few pairs of Yelkeaun Shearwaters also. One should know that the Cory Shearwaters spend daylight out at sea fishing and only come to the nest at night. To see them and hear them one should go near the cliffs on a summer night and wait until nightfall. You can hear the shearwaters calling their sort of baby cry. Shearwaters congregate in large numbers out at sea. This is known as rafting. A small colony of Yellow-legged Gulls also breed on the cliffs and can be seen through out the year. Short-toed Lark, Cetti’s Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush and Corn Bunting all breed in the area. Peregrine Falcon and Barn Owl breed in the past but were hunted to extinction.
Summer Highlights: Summer is the quietest time, mainly only the resident birds are present.
Winter Highlights: Yellow-legged Gull, Black Headed Gull and Cormorant. Robin, Black Redstart, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Stonechat, White Wagtail, Song thrush, Starling, Sardinian Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush, Chaffinch and Linnet
Autumn and Spring Highlights: Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Night Heron and Little Egret can be seen passing over. Common Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Yellow-Legged Gull, Turtle Dove, Birds mainly of open areas can be seen including Hoopoe, Northern Wheatear and Black-eared Wheatear, Tree Pipit, Tawny Pipit, Bee-eater, Whinchat, Subalpine Warbler and Woodchat Shrike. Short-toed lark can be migrating in flocks. Barn Swallow, House Martin, Common Swift and Pallid Swift.
Best time to Visit
Spring and Autumn.
How to Get There
- Public Transport:- Take the Gozo ferry if you are in Malta. Go to Sannat Village and follow the signs to the cliffs.
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