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Hi,

as a member of the Ramblers' Association I'm out walking and scouting walks every few days.

The 'little huts' you might be referring to and can be seen in many countryside areas are hunters and trappers hideouts! And we are in the middle of the hunting and trapping season. So many are occupied by not so friendly 'bird watchers'.

Out of personal experience I would advise you to steer clear of the areas where you might expect birds. In actual fact the only birds I saw yesterday around Dingli and Mtahleb were finches in cages as decoys to attract others (which of course is forbidden) and a few caught in nets (with mesh less than 30 mm square , also forbidden). But the trappers seems to feel very safe as they hardly bother to hide their illegalities.

As we always walk in a group with Maltese friends we can deal with the guys as they know they are trapping illegally and back down soon but if you are out on your own it might not be so nice.

The autumn migration seems to have stopped and the Maltese bird population is very limited.

Your best option would be to start of at the Shearwater protection area near Mellieha or try to get on a special boat trip to Filfla .

Cheers
Ricky

"Or even areas with those little huts you sit in especially for watching birds? " - yep, at the bird sanctuary between Mellieha and Cirkewwa

yep well said ricky

We have been to the Ghadira Nature Reserve opp. Mellieha beach a number of times and have seen a fair number of water birds from the hide. A variety of birds are shown on posters in the visitors' centre so you may be luckier that we were. The volunteers from Birdlife Malta, who man the centre, are very helpful. The problem is the opening times!!

biddy wrote:

The problem is the opening times!!

I'm sure if more people volunteer they will be able to open for longer :-)

Hi haribo,

there is a birdwatching walk at the Majjistral park.



Bookings can be made through:

walks@majjistral.org

Cheers
Ricky

Thank you so much for your help everyone and especially thank you Ricky- I foolishly didn't even think about the hunters!