June 29, 2020

The Wild Artichoke blooms

The surrounding garrigue’s spring greenery has given way to grasses and dry patches of plants. Yet, the purple blooms of the Wild Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus, Qaqoċċ […]
June 20, 2020

The largest snake in the Maltese Islands

The Western Whip Snake (Coluber viridiflavus carbonarius, Serp Iswed) is the most common snake of four species in the Maltese Islands, also found throughout other areas […]
June 12, 2020

Marine pollution, plastic waste and the impacts of increasing health concerns

We have read reports all around the world of an environmental silver lining brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic – smog giving way to blue skies, […]
June 8, 2020

The spiky hedgehog

The Algerian/Vagrant Hedgehog (Qanfud,  Atelerix algirus) is a mammal species recorded in parts of North Africa (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia), Malta and Spain. It is thought […]
June 5, 2020

The Asphalt smelling Pitch Trefoil

Mediterranean climate ecosystems are rich in legumes, with the Pea (Leguminosae or Fabaceae) family identified as a major component of the vast majority of habitats and […]
June 1, 2020

The old quarries at Clapham Junction

The large open area at Misraħ Għar il-Kbir, which contains the largest intensity of cart ruts in the Maltese Islands is also well-known by the nickname […]
May 25, 2020

Bright crimson sulla fields

Forage can be described as plant material that is eaten by grazing livestock. Amongst the herbaceous legumes which are used for forage in the Mediterranean basin […]
May 18, 2020

The benefits of enjoying nature through walks and wellbeing

In our hectic world, walking is often regarded as a means to an end – a planned leisure activity, or a means of doing physical exercise. […]
May 16, 2020

The well-known Wall rue for traditional folk medicine

The rue or citrus family of flowering plants include numerous species, perhaps the most familiar being the Citrus, including orange, lemon, grapefruit, tangerine and lime. Another […]