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Ta' Ċenċ

North (Gozo)  >  Malta

Spectacular sea cliffs and biodiverse garrigue vegetation on the southern coast of Gozo, Malta's sister island.

Added* by Nathaniel Attard
Most recent update 12 лютого 2020

Description

One of the best places in the Maltese Islands to see local species such as Скеляр синій, Жайворонок малий and Кропив’янка піренейська, against a backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea and jaw-dropping cliffs. Боривітер звичайний and Сапсан also nest in the area. However, the cliffs are better known for the largest Буревісник cередземноморський (підвид diomedea) colony in the archipelago, which is at least a 1,000 pairs strong. On summer nights a cacophony of these birds' calls can be enjoyed from land or even better join one of BirdLife Malta’s special sunset boat trips to see them! The cliffs hold two other seabird species, namely Качурка морська and Малий буревісник, which are much harder to see. You might be luckier with spotting nesting Серпокрилець блідий.

The open garrigue and steppe habitat that dominate the area attracts migrants such as chats, wheatears, pipits, Hoopoes and Сорокопуд червоноголовий but even species like Сова болотяна. Ta’ Ċenċ and the cliffs further west have a good record for rarer species too. Горихвістка алжирська, Кам’янка пустельна, Жайворонок сірий [група rufescens] and Сірий (Великий) сорокопуд are to name some.

Details

Access

All the area is privately owned but you can walk along the many tracks. Park at Mġarr ix-Xini or Sannat village.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Valley , Steppe , Sea , Agriculture

Conditions

Flat , Rocky , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

Remember not to use bright lights and not to leave any trash at coastal areas, especially cliffs which are home to shearwaters. Organic trash sustains rat populations which then feed on shearwater eggs and chicks. For more information on seabird conservation in Malta visit: https://birdlifemalta.org/arcipelagugarnija.

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

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