I am spending a few days for work in Malta (the current rotating EU presidency holder, before moving to Estonia n July) and got some birding in on Tuesday.
I realize that Malta is very controversial for the awful fact that so many birds have been brutally killed here for sport. The good news is that BirdLife has been working very hard with the government over the last 10 years, trying to change the "culture" and taking important areas of the islands under control as bird sanctuaries.
In St. Paul's Bay, I had the opportunity to spend a few hours at BirdLife's Simar Nature Reserve, which was well maintained and I found the staff there very friendly, committed and well-informed. The Salina Saltpans were also well visited by birds and I was happy to add another two lifers to my list.
I made a point of mentioning to my hotel, taxi driver and at the local store that I was birdwatching, trying to get them to see the economic opportunity of having visitors come who want to enjoy nature and birding.
April 4
Is-Salina Nature Reserve, St. Paul's Bay, Malta
102. Ferruginous Duck
103. Black-winged Stilt
104. Ruff
105. Common Sandpiper
106. Mediterranean Gull
107. Sandwich Tern
108. Eurasian Blackcap
Simar Nature Reserve, St. Paul's Bay, Malta
109. Red-necked Grebe
110. Little Egret
111. Barn Swallow
112. Common House-Martin
113. Cetti's Warbler
114. Spanish Sparrow
Latest Lifer: 580 : Cetti's Warbler (Simar Nature Reserve, St. Paul's Bay, Malta; April 2017)