80 children join BoV for nature walk

A group of 80 children, together with family, friends and a number of Bank of Valletta employees, gathered together on the somewhat hazy dawn of last Sunday, all set for an 11-kilometre marathon walk.

The nature walk, which lasted about three hours, took the participants all the way from Rabat, through the winding country road all the way down to Siġġiewi, past the temples of Ħagar Qim and ending near the sheltered chapel right above Il-Maqluba in Qrendi.

The walk held much in store, not only for the well-trained eyes of young birdwatchers belonging to Klabb Ħuttaf, Birdlife Malta's young members' club, but also for the newcomers who were learning more about Malta's wildlife through the environmental education programme, Dinja Waħda, sponsored by Bank of Valletta for the past three years.

The introduction to the talk was interrupted by a child's excited voice shouting "Marsh harrier"! Everyone looked up and caught a glimpse of the raptor.

One of the leaders spoke to the young enthusiasts about swifts and their amazing ability to do everything while in flight, even sleeping.

Swifts were the focus of this year's initiative.

This species, seen in urban areas throughout the summer months, have recently re-entered Malta's list of breeding species.

And the children who participated in this year's marathon walk collected over €1,000, funds to provide Swift nest boxes in various locations throughout Malta and Gozo, to encourage this species to breed.

The nature walk is only one of the ongoing activities organised by Klabb Ħuttaf.

Other outings organised for the young members of Birdlife Malta and their families include the planting of trees at the Foresta 2000 and a summer boat trip to the cliffs of Ta' Ċenċ to witness the rafts of thousands of shearwaters on their way to their nests in the cliffs.

The aim of Bank of Valletta's ongoing environmental education programme, in partnership with Birdlife, is to nurture a sense of appreciation and motivation towards the preservation of Malta's natural heritage.

The local bank's support helps towards the struggle to a much desired balance between the environment and economics, through the education of the younger generation.

For more information contact nicolette.falzon@birdlifemalta.org.

Updates on activities are also available on the website www.birdlifemalta.org