Birdwatching in Malta 2024

The Maltese islands have only 12 endemic species of birds but a wide variety of birds can be seen here during the spring and autumn migrations. In fact, the Maltese islands are situated between the African and European continents which is one of the important migration routes. A great number of migratory birds cross the Mediterranean Sea and stop on the Maltese islands in April-May and September-November.

At the Għadira Nature Reserve in winter, you can also see kingfishers, warblers, robins, and finches. The Is-Simar Nature Reserve is famous for migrating waterbirds and is home to nesting reed warblers, herons, rails, and kingfishers. The natural habitat of Foresta 2000, Buskett Woodlands is the best place to watch migrating raptors in autumn, especially during September. The Chadwick Lakes are home to shy warblers in winter. A bird sanctuary in the Salina Saltpans is the ideal habitat for wading birds and one place to even spot flamingos. Rdum tal-Madonna and Natura 2000 are breeding colonies for yelkouan shearwaters, spotted pipits, and wheatears, as well as Malta’s national bird the blue rock thrush. Comino is a famous bird sanctuary and a popular spot for migratory birds. Dwejra is a one more ideal bird-watching spot, and a significant bird breeding and nesting site, especially on the high cliffs where it harbours several rare and endemic species such as wagtails, flycatchers, and gulls.