Birdlife Malta recently organised Sicily day trips to Cavagrande del Cassibile (province of Syracuse), one of the more scenic landscapes within the Hyblaean Mountains, a mountain range on the southeastern side of the island.

One trip catered for BirdLife Malta members and friends and the other for members of the Bank of Valletta Sports and Social Club.

The Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve is of geographical and archeological importance. It covers an area of 2,700 hectares in the region of Avola, Syracuse and Noto. The river Cassibile, which runs through the reserve, has created created a series of deep canyons stretching for more than 10 kilometres over the years.

The walks commenced and finished at Prisa-Carrubella, the only pathway open to the public at the moment. Other paths are closed due to a vast fire which some two years ago rendered other areas dangerous and inaccessible.

BOV Sports and Social Club members.

The trek covered some eight kilometres of wooded areas through this famous canyon where the Cassibile river runs some 280 metres below, forming streams and lakes in the process.

The area is rich in flora and includes the popular oak, willow, oleander, ivy and fern, among other plants and shrubs. Fauna includes dragonflies, colourful butterflies, eagles, kestrels, as well as freshwater crabs and trout.

It was a very enjoyable day for both groups, which ended with visits to Marina di Modica and Pozzallo town centre for one group and to the famous chocolate town of Modica for the other.