The nature reserves of Għadira and Is-Simar, in Xemxija, would be open for the public this weekend for bird and wildlife watching, BirdLife Malta said.

The reserves are the largest remaining areas of salt marsh in Malta and are designated as Wetlands of International Importance. They provide a habitats for resident breeding birds and visiting migrants, including dry and wet reed beds, lakes dotted with small islands, olive groves and other indigenous wooded areas.

Visitors should be able to see the resident moorhens and coots on the lakes as well as migrating birds visiting the reserves, including majestic grey herons and little egrets, shy water rails, starlings and kingfishers. The public bird-watching hides give visitors the opportunity to observe the birds’ natural behaviour in their natural habitat. Besides birds, the reserves support a rich variety of other wildlife species, including reptiles such as snakes, geckos and chameleons, numerous insect species and even rare protected fish in the lakes.

The reserves will be open to the public every Saturday (Għadira) and Sunday (Għadira and Simar) between 10.30am and 4.30pm from November to May, throughout autumn, winter and spring. Entrance to the reserves is free and guided walks led by experienced reserve staff and volunteers are organised every hour throughout the weekend.

From Monday to Friday, the reserves are open to school visits as part of BirdLife’s Dinja Waħda environmental education programme.

More details can be acquired from www.birdlifemalta.org or by calling 2134 7644/6.

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