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Comino

North  >  Malta

Comino is a tiny island, just 3.5 square kilometres in size, and is a designated bird sanctuary. It is situated in between the larger islands of Gozo and Malta.

Added* by Nathaniel Attard
Most recent update 27 február 2020

Description

Despite its size, Comino is very important in terms of its significance for native flora and fauna, particular for the migratory birds that choose to rest and refuel here before continuing on with their journeys.

Comino is relatively unspoiled and undisturbed; the majority of the island is covered with garrigue, and there are beaches and cliffs, making Comino a very picturesque destination. In terms of wildlife, it is an important place for birds, and is actually designated as a bird sanctuary due to the significant number of bukdosó vészmadár pairs that breed here. As a result, this also means that hunting or trapping is not permitted at any time of the year. All of the island’s attributes make it an ideal place for migratory bird species to visit and rest, so a visit to Comino during spring or autumn would be ideal.

Details

Access

Access to Comino is by ferry only; either from Ċirkewwa in Malta, or from Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. Unless staying at the hotel this is more of a day outing. The boats will not operate if the sea conditions are rough, so it is advisable to check beforehand if the boat companies are operating. If visiting for the day, make sure you check the timetable for the last trip back. There are several bus routes that go to Ċirkewwa and Mġarr Harbour; visit the Malta Public Transport website for information. Note that there are no roads on Comino, so bringing a car over is not possible.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Sea , Beach

Conditions

Rocky , Dry , Open landscape , Dusty , No shadow

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Winter , Spring , Autumn

Best time to visit

Winter , Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Unpaved road , Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

Twice a year, during the spring and autumn migrations, BirdLife Malta carry out their bird ringing project at the bird observatory on the island. During these periods, BirdLife Malta capture, ring and release high numbers of birds; for more information about this work, please contact BirdLife Malta.

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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