April 23, 2020

Welcoming the first fruits of the season: Loquats

The Loquat is a species of flowering place in the Rosacea family, which includes peaches, apricots, cherry, prunes and more. The loquat (Naspli, Eriobotrya japonica), is […]
April 18, 2020

The tiny willow warbler – epic endurance in long-distance migrating journeys and nesting sites

.During spring-time, the birds which visit the Maltese Islands are migrating from Sub-Saharan Africa towards their breeding sites in northern Europe. Amongst the migrating birds is […]
April 16, 2020

Larva of the Maltese Glow-worm hiding under rocks

The firefly family of insects are well-known for their use of bioluminescence during twilight, between dawn and dusk to attract mates or prey. They are able […]
April 15, 2020

The Bear’s breeches plant and specialised bees for pollination

In areas which provide shade and dampness such as areas behind walls or along valleys, one may currently encounter the common Bear’s Breeches plant (Ħannewija, Acanthus […]
April 12, 2020

Could recently changing feeding behaviours of the local Spanish sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis , Għasfur tal-Bejt) be indicative of environmental changes?

Information on food habits of particular species is fundamental for the understanding of its ecology, particularly in species with an impact by human activities. Diet affects […]
April 11, 2020

The gourd ladybird and the squirting cucumber plant

The Squirting cucumber (Faqqus il-Ħmir, Ecballium elaterium) is a very common perennial plant which is common everywhere in the Maltese Islands, especially disturbed ground. This plant […]
April 9, 2020

The pretty plant with multiple uses – Borage

The Maltese Islands are home to over 1100 recorded plant species, some of which have particular value for gastronomy and medicine. One such wild plant is […]
April 5, 2020

Spring-time visitors to the Maltese Islands – the Eurasian Hoopoes

One of the most colourful European birds is the Eurasian Hoopoe (Daqquqa tat-Toppu, Upupa epops), a medium-sized bird with a wingspan of about 45cm. This bird […]
April 4, 2020

The rare quince tree springtime blossoms

Springtime in Malta is the most appealing time of the year, where nature is at its finest and when many cultivated fruit trees bloom. Apart from […]