Beautiful birds, lovely wildflowers, strong reptiles, and fascinating insects are just some of the Maltese species you may see up close at the Malta`s nature places. To restore the Mediterranean woodland, about 20,000 trees were planted. These natural places of Malta provide habitat for a diverse range of birds, insects, animals, reptiles, and amphibians, resulting in a lush ecosystem that typifies Mediterranean nature. In the shadow of Aleppo Pines, Holm Oaks, and Carobs, look for Pine Bolete mushrooms, fennel, and wild thyme, as well as colourful spring flowers. Look for a cat snake, Mediterranean chameleon, ocellated skink, or painted frog among the many birds and butterflies.
- Forest
Forest 2000 is a mix of Malta’s several natural ecosystems, including steppe (grassland), garigue (scrubland), maquis (shrubland), and forest. Furthermore, because it spans virtually from coast to coast across the island’s narrowest point, it is bordered on both sides by coastal habitats and cliffs. Foresta 2000, perched atop a hill near Mellieha Bay in Malta’s northwestern region, provides stunning views of the valley below, which includes the brackish water and salty marshlands of the Ghadira Nature Reserve.
- Gadira Nature Reserve
Gadira Nature Reserve is a seven-hectare brackish lake and saltmarsh environment tucked in the valley right beyond Mellieha Bay. Because of the island’s long, hot summers, permanent water habitats like this one are uncommon. At this natural place of Malta, Around 140 different kinds of migrating birds pause here to recuperate before continuing on their trips.
If you appreciate birding, this is the spot for you. You might even see a eurasian spoonbill or a larger flamingo among the migrating birds like redshanks, sandpipers, and egrets. In the spring, black-winged stilts and small ringed plover breed on the reserve, and moorhens live near the waters. Mediterranean chameleons and bunnies can be seen among the sea daffodil, golden samphire, and sea lavender along the pathways.
- Simar Nature Reserve
Simar Nature Reserve in Xemxija, St Paul’s Bay, has more wetlands nearby. The name of this oasis, which has a rich agricultural environment, comes from the frantic rush that can be felt throughout the reserve. This, too, provides a safe haven for a variety of resident and migrating birds, as well as a diverse range of fauna drawn to the open ponds, reedbed, and trees. Bird watchers will delight in the sight of a variety of resident and migrating birds. Barn swallows, kingfishers, water rails, herons, egrets, and warbler species can be seen, and coots and small grebes breed here. However, the pools are also home to the Mediterranean killifish, a rare and endangered species, as well as a variety of crustaceans. See if you can spot the unusual tassel-weed and a camouflaged Mediterranean chameleon and geckos in tree branches.
- Salina Nature Reserve
The Salina Nature Reserve is one of the best natural places of Malta, comprises of 154,000 square metres of saline marshland and salt pans formed on a reclaimed island of clay between Qawra and Salini in the northeast of Malta. It is located in the mouth of Burmarrad valley, on the outskirts of St Paul’s Bay, which was once a harbor. Flamingos are often connected with salt pans in the Mediterranean, and they frequently stop at Salina to rest during their migration. Each day, the salt pans attract up to 2,000 seabirds of diverse types! Sandwich terns can also be found in large numbers. Other species such as common sandpipers, herons, and egrets are occasionally seen in the vicinity, and if you’re lucky, you might even see a larger flamingo!
