International IBAs of the Maltese Islands
Ta' Cenc
Ta' Cenc cliffs support a large breeding colony of ca. 1000 pairs of Cory’s Shearwater, ca. 150-300 pairs of Yelkouan Shearwater and a small colony (>25 pairs) of European Storm-petrel.
Kemmuna
The cliffs and caves along the shoreline of Kemmuna support colonies of Yelkouan Shearwaters (50-80 pairs) and is a bottleneck site for trans-Saharan passerine migrants.
Filfla
The offshore islet of Filfla holds a large colony of European Storm-petrels (5000-8000 pairs) and 100-200 pairs of Cory's Shearwaters.
Buskett
The only non-seabird site. Buskett is an important flyway and roosting site for raptors, mainly Honey-buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Hobby and Eleonora's Falcon during the autumn migration.
L-Ahrax tal-Madonna
The cliffs support one of the largest known colonies of Yelkouan Shearwater in the Mediterranean, with an estimated 500 pairs.
Benghisa to Wied Maqbul
The seacliffs from Benghisa to Wied Maqbul hold colonies of Cory’s Shearwater (500-800 pairs) and Yelkouan Shearwater (100-150 pairs).
Hagra s-Sewda to Ix-Xaqqa
This stretch of seacliffs holds colonies of Cory’s Shearwater (150-200 pairs) and Yelkouan Shearwater (80-100 pairs).
Il-Kullana to Tal-Gifen
Popularly known as Dingli Cliffs, these natural bastions support breeding colonies of Cory’s Shearwater (200-300 pairs) and Yelkouan Shearwater (100-200 pairs).
Iç-Çnus to Tal-Bardan
These cliffs west of Ta’ Çenç are important for Cory's Shearwater (100-300 pairs) and Yelkouan Shearwaters (ca. 30 pairs).
Xlendi Bay to Wardija Point
Seabird colonies located just outside the mouth of Xlendi Bay westwards to Wardija Point. The breeding population includes Cory's Shearwater (300-350 pairs) and Yelkouan Shearwater (30-50 pairs).
Dwejra Bay to San Dimitri
The seacliffs along the northwestern coast of Gozo holds Cory’s Shearwater (100-300 pairs) and Yelkouan Shearwater (30-50 pairs).
National IBAs
Ghadira
A managed, partly man-made saltmarsh wetland. An important resting and feeding site for waders. The only breeding site in Malta for Little Ringed Plover.
Is-Simar
A managed, partly man-made wetland with tracts of common reed that provides habitat for water birds. The site holds nesting Reed Warbler and Moorhens. Little Grebe and Little Bittern have also nested here.
Is-Salina
Abandoned saltpans that provide feeding and resting habitat for waders and herons.
Great Siege Square - Valletta
An unlikely place for an IBA. The mature ficus trees in this square support the only known winter roost (several thousands) of White Wagtails in Malta. A smaller roost exists in Gozo.
Wied ir-Ramla and Wied il-Hanaq
These two valleys facing the north coast of Gozo are important bottlenecks for passage migrants, namely raptors, warblers and hirundines (swallows and martins).
Wied il-Lunzjata
This is the largest verdant area in Gozo with its mature trees and permanent water stream. It is an important feeding and resting site for a variety of species throughout the year, especially during the migration seasons.