Malta's Avian Calendar:
Seasonal highlights
The Maltese archipelago is a strategic crossroads for birds crossing the Mediterranean. Our expeditions are precisely timed to capture these natural movements, targeting the most sought-after species as they pass through our varied habitats.
Spring Migration
March - May
Spring migration in Malta is genuinely spectacular.
From March, Marsh Harriers are among the first raptors to move through, followed by a steady build-up of passerines across the islands.
April brings European Bee-eaters in dazzling flocks, along with Pied and Collared Flycatchers, Wood Warblers, and the golden flash of the Golden Oriole through the island's wooded valleys.
Hoopoes are a frequent find in the garrigue, while Purple Herons and Night Herons utilise protected wetlands as they journey north
Summer Resident Specialities
June - August
Summer is the season to focus on Malta’s specialised breeding birds.
The rugged limestone cliffs are alive with Blue Rock Thrushes, while Sardinian Warblers and Zitting Cisticolas are a constant presence in the garrigue.
These birds could also be seen at other times of the year.
This is also the premier time to experience Malta’s remarkable breeding seabirds; a night visit to the coastal cliffs rewards with the extraordinary sounds of Scopoli’s Shearwaters returning to their nesting ledges, an outstanding experience to witness.
Autumn Migration
September - October
Autumn migration rivals the spring for sheer drama.
Honey Buzzards and Marsh Harriers funnel through in numbers, gathering in swirling kettles before gliding south toward Africa often with the company of Hobbies and Common Kestrels.
They are often joined by less numerous raptor species such as Black Kites, Ospreys, Eurasian Sparrowhawks, Lesser Kestrels and Eleonora's Falcons.
Away from the watchpoints, the valleys come alive with European Bee-eaters and other passerines.
Winter species
November - February
Winter offers an intimate and relaxed experience of the Maltese countryside.
The coastal areas attract hundreds of Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls alongside specialists such as Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gulls.
Reserves hold Water Rails and Kingfishers, while sheltered valleys provide refuge for various species of passerines.
A Note on Field Dynamics
While our expeditions are strategically timed to coincide with peak migration pulses, bird activity is fundamentally driven by shifting weather patterns and wind directions. In the field, there are naturally "high-intensity" days and quieter periods. Edward’s expertise lies in interpreting these real-time conditions to ensure that, regardless of the day’s pace, every outing provides meaningful insights and the best possible opportunities for sightings.