Feathers over Malta

Possibly the cutest hatchling we had in Malta in June 😍

Little Ringed Plover at Ghadira Nature Reserve 🇲🇹

Daqxejn ta aħbar tajba wara t-traġedja tal-fabbrika tan-nar ta’ din il-ġimgħa. 💛

Matul dawn l-aħħar ġimgħat kont qed inżur il-kampanja ta’ Burmarrad biex ingawdi l-għana sabiħ tal-Bilbla (Calandrella brachydactyla), li bil-melodiji tagħha kienet qed timla l-għelieqi matul l-istaġun tal-passa.

Wara l-isplużjoni kbira li seħħet fl-inħawi, erġajt mort b’ċerta tħassib — iżda bi pjaċir nista’ nikkonferma li l-Bliebel għadhom hemm, u f’numri inkoraġġanti. L-għana tagħhom għada tidwi fil-kampanja, tifkira sabiħa tar-reżiljenza tan-natura.

Kelma ta’ apprezzament tmur ukoll lill-bdiewa tal-inħawi li jkomplu jaħdmu u jikkultivaw l-għelieqi tagħhom filwaqt li jipprovdu habitat importanti għal dawn il-viżitaturi migratorji. 🌾👏

🇬🇧 English version in comments

Once the migratory birds start leaving we still get to appreciate our lovely residents.

Zitting Cisticola, Mgarr 🇲🇹 May 2026

The House Martin can reach speeds of roughly 40–50 km/h (25–31 mph) in normal flight. Fast indeed.

Malta 🇲🇹 May 2026

Ruff 🇬🇧 | Girwiel 🇲🇹 | Philomachus pugnax

May 2026 at Ghadira Nature Reserve in Malta 🇲🇹

Spent some time observing this Gozitan fisherman aboard a traditional Luzzu, hard at work in the early morning hours, trailed by Yellow-legged Gulls - Gawwija Prima and Cory’s Shearwaters - Ciefa. Simply beautiful.

Garden Warbler 🇬🇧 | Bekkafik 🇲🇹 | Sylvia borin

May 2026, Nadur, Gozo 🇲🇹

The hooked beak of the Woodchat Shrike is built like a tiny raptor’s tool. It is sharp, strong, and perfectly shaped for gripping insects, lizards, and small prey. Its curved tip helps tear food apart and hold struggling prey securely, making this striking songbird an efficient hunter despite its small size.

Shots from the April migration 2026 in Malta 🇲🇹

Curlew Sandpiper 🇬🇧 | Pispisella Hamra 🇲🇹 | Calidris ferruginea |

This bird breeds in the high Arctic tundra of northern Siberia, mainly across Arctic Russia. During autumn migration, it travels along major flyways through Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

Its non-breeding (wintering) range stretches from Africa and the Mediterranean coasts to India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and as far south as Australia and New Zealand.

This little one and a few others were photographed in Malta on Sunday 3 May 2026. These birds stop at coastal wetlands, mudflats, estuaries, and lagoons during migration. A short stop on the way to the Arctic.