This weekend, BirdLife Malta will welcome feathered and non-feathered visitors to the two Nature Reserves of Ghadira, near Mellieha, and Is-Simar, in Xemxija, as countries around the world celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on the 11th and 12th of May.
The Maltese Islands are an important stopover for birds migrating in the spring from Africa to Europe, where they breed in the summer months before returning to Africa in the autumn. This spring, 60 different bird-species (most of they migratory) have been recorded at Ghadira and Simar alone.
Anyone who visits the Nature Reserves at the moment will also see lots of migratory House Martins, Sand Martins, Barn Swallows (collectively known as Hirundines) and Swifts performing astonishing aerobatic feats as they hunt for insects on the wing, often flying just above the surface of the lakes in the early morning and late afternoon.
And there is always the possibility that you will catch a glimpse of one of the resident Chameleons, which are found in both reserves (if your eyes are sharp enough!).
Ghadira Nature Reserve will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 4.30pm, and Is-Simar Nature Reserve, in Xemxija, is open on Sunday only, again from 10.30am to 4.30pm.