Birdlife Malta recently organised Sicily day trips to Cavagrande del Cassibile (Province of Syracuse), one of the more scenic landscapes situated within the Hyblaean Mountains (Monti Iblei), a mountain range in the south-eastern side of the island.
One trip (Saturday 5th November) catered for BirdLife Malta members and friends and the other (Sunday 13th November) for the Bank of Valletta Sports & Social Club.
The Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve is of geographical and archeological importance. The Reserve covers an area of 2,700 hectares in the region of Avola, Siracusa and Noto. The river Cassibile runs through the reserve and over the millennia the river has created a series of deep canyons stretching for more than 10 kilometres.
BirdLife Malta recently organised Sicily day trips for its members (this photo) and for the BOV Sports & Social Club (banner photo for this story)
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.
The trek covered some 8km 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 fresh water 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.
Read the Maltese version of the press release here.