BirdLife extends opening hours of nature reserves adds facilities for photographers

by Gozo News · March 8, 2019

BirdLife Malta has said that spring is now just around the corner, and with the first signs of spring bird migration over Malta, it’s time to enjoy nature.

The NGO has extended opening hours of its nature reserves to the public, and launched new facilities for photographers to enjoy the spectacle.

It said that the first small flocks of Barn Swallows have been skimming the water at Simar Nature Reserve whilst the Little Ringed Plover has returned to Ghadira Nature Reserve. Salina Nature Reserve has already seen its first breeding pair of Moorhens and also recorded the first Little Ringed Plover and first flock of Grey Herons whilst still hosting large flocks of gulls and terns of various species.

BirdLife Malta said that Simar and Ghadira Nature Reserves will now also be open to the public during the week. As from this coming Monday 11th of March Ghadira will be open in the afternoon (14:00-18:00) every Monday and Thursday whilst Simar will open (same time) on Tuesdays and Fridays.

During April and May, before the reserves close for the summer break, the new opening times will be extended further and both Ghadira and Simar will remain open to the public on the same days of the week for a further hour, till 19:00.

Opening times in the weekends will remain the same: Ghadira is open every Saturday and Sunday whilst Simar is open every Sunday (10:00-16:00 in both cases). Saturday at Simar is reserved for events, whilst during weekdays in the mornings the reserves will keep on receiving visits by school children as is current practice.

BLM added that maintenance work also takes place at these times at Ghadira and Simar, together with regular research such as bird ringing.

Salina Nature Reserve, on the other hand, will retain its actual opening hours. The reserve is open for visits on all days.

BirdLife pointed out that visitors may walk through the park freely between Monday and Sunday (07:00-20:00 April-September, and 07:00-18:00 October-March) whilst the Visitors’ Centre is open Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 13:00.

Foresta 2000 – which is also managed by BirdLife Malta – remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This reserve is accessible all year round.

BirdLife Malta has also announced a new added attraction to the public at Ghadira Nature Reserve. A new facility being introduced with immediate effect will give photographers the opportunity to book one of two photography hides which have just been set up at the reserve providing them with a unique chance of capturing some fantastic shots.

Booking for a one-hour session will be required against a small donation. The hourly slots for the use of the photography hides at Ghadira will be valid Mondays and Thursdays 2pm-5pm and Saturdays 10am-3pm (on the hour). Those interested are to send an email to photography@birdlifemalta.org.

Entry to all of BirdLife Malta’s nature reserves is free, but the NGO said that donations are welcome. During the past days repairs were carried out at our Simar Nature Reserve which was severely hit in last month’s storm.

The reserve suffered considerable damage to both a number of trees and the visitors’ centre. Salina too suffered some damage, albeit to a lesser extent.

Those who would like to help by donating any amount can do so at https://birdlifemalta.org/donate “We would like to thank all those who have already contributed following our call on the social media,” said BirdLife.