Autumn-time nature of Dingli Cliffs

With the start of the autumn rains, the Maltese Islands’ garrigue landscape starts to recover from the parched summer terrain. Now, the typical countryside colour is shifting from brown to green.

Already, the Mediterranean meadow saffron (Busieq) has bloomed in the countryside. This miniature plant, about 8cm long, flowers directly from the underground bulb. The leaves of the Sea Squill (Basal ta’ l-Ghansar) are also emerging from the bulb at/below soil level.

Even the Carob Tree (Harruba) flowers during this time of the year. The carob flowers are interesting in that flies are attracted to the smell of decomposing vegetation oozing out from the flowers to pollinate trees.

Several fauna may also be encountered such as several butterfly species ranging from the common Cabbage White, the Wall Brown, Painted Lady, Maltese swallowtail), caterpillars and even migratory birds.