Ghadira Nature Reserve

Għadira lies immediately behind the sand of Mellieħa Bay, a shallow brackish pool and saltmarsh that was Malta's first bird sanctuary, declared in 1980 and managed by BirdLife Malta. On an island with almost no wetland it is disproportionately important: herons, waders, ducks and passerines stop here on migration between Africa and Europe, and around two hundred and fifty species have been recorded. Hides and a marked path run around part of the pool.

What you actually see

• The brackish pool - a rare wetland on an island with almost no standing water.
• The migration stopover - herons, waders and passerines resting between continents.
• The hides - watching points around the edge of the pool.
• The planting - native trees and shrubs established around the reserve.

When to go

Autumn and spring migration periods are by far the best. The reserve opens to the public only on certain days and times, mostly at weekends in season. Summer is quiet with few birds.

Honest expectations

Opening is very limited, generally weekend mornings in the migration seasons, and it is closed for much of the year. It is small. Illegal shooting in the surrounding countryside remains a problem.

Nearby

Mellieha Bay is in front of it, and Mellieha town is above.