Birdlife Malta’s adult activities group held an educational outing to Sicily. Participants were shown around by the Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli (Italian League for the Protection of Birds), a Birdlife associate, and enjoyed the morning touring the Nature Reserve of Bosco di Santo Pietro in Caltagirone.

This predominantly oak forest is renowned for a variety of flora and fauna and includes the limodorum abortivum, a rare type of wild orchid, very old cork trees and various other species of wild plants and flowers. Other interesting species included Herman’s tortoises, the beautiful southern white admiral butterfly and various types of lizards.

Members were invited to lunch at the Centro Riabilitativo Terapeutico La Grazia, a rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities, to which Birdlife Malta presented a donation.

The afternoon was spent at the plains of Gela, an area covered by extensive fields with a vast biodiversity mix. Various species of birds and birds of prey were seen. However, the area is renowned for the largest colony of white stocks in Italy.

An estimated 40 pairs roost on top of 30-metre-high electricity pylons. These beautiful creatures could be seen flying and scouring the surrounding fields for insects to feed their offspring.

Visit www.birdlifemalta.org or call 2134 7645/6/7.