Date: Sunday, 28 April 2019
Time: 09:00-16:30
Location: Ċirkewwa Pier (meeting point)
Join us for this nature walk on the beautiful island of Comino!
This event, organised by our Events & Activities Committee, will combine nature with a cultural experience. You will enjoy the views of the Blue Lagoon and visit Santa Marija Tower and Saint Mary’s Battery. Weather permitting we may get a chance to see a bird ringing session at our Comino Ringing Station.
This is an easy-to-moderate walk and suitable for participants who are older than 12 years. All participants should carry their own packed lunch and water. Appropriate footwear is recommended. No accompanying dogs are allowed.
- Santa Marija Tower
The tower which is managed by NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa – formed part of the early system of towers which the Order of Saint John set up to facilitate defence and communication between the Cittadella in Gozo and Mdina. It later became a key location of the system of towers built along the coast. The decision to build this Tower was taken by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt in 1618, and was financed by the Grand Master himself, by the sale of the brushwood on the island and from the profits made by the resettled farmers. The site chosen was some eighty metres above sea level. Entrance to the Tower may be subjected to an entrance fee. However the visit is optional.
- Saint Mary’s Battery
Saint Mary’s Battery, also known as the Comino Battery (or Trunċiera in Maltese), is an artillery battery built by the Order of Saint John between 1715 and 1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands. It is a 10-15 minute walk from St. Mary’s Tower, and is open all year round.
- Comino Bird Ringing station
Bird ringing is a conservation tool used to study birds, their behaviour and their migration patterns. Comino is a protected bird sanctuary and a Special Protection Area which is of great importance for migrating birds, so it is the ideal setting for ornithological research. Weather permitting, we may get the opportunity to observe a live bird ringing demonstration led by our licensed and qualified bird ringers.
Meeting point & time
Our meeting point will be the Ċirkewwa Pier. We shall meet at 08:45 and depart with the boat at 9:00 returning at around 16:30.
Participation fee
Members: €12 per person
Non-members: €15 per person
(Fee includes boat trip only)
Booking (FULLY-BOOKED)
Participation is open to all (children MUST be +12). BirdLife Malta members will be given priority. Booking will be on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to 60 participants.
To book please email [email protected] quoting your membership number, if you have one. Booking will be acknowledged and payment instructions will be issued. Your booking will be confirmed ONLY on receipt of relevant payment.
Bookings for this event will be accepted until Sunday 18th April 2019 unless full capacity is achieved at an earlier date.