NTM Publications - UNESCO Malta

NTM Publications 

In collaboration with

Editorial.................................................................. 2 

MEssagE.By.Prof..CharlEs.farrugia........................ 2 

aBout.thE.ContriButors......................................... 3 

sEtting.uP.thE.naturE.Park.................................. 4 

naturE.Walks.at.il-Majjistral.naturE.and 

. hEritagE.Park....................................................... 7 

flora.of.il-Majjistral.naturE.and 

. hEritagE.Park....................................................... 15 

fauna.at.Majjistral.Park......................................... 26 

Editorial 

ContEnts 

Il-Majjistral Park is a dream come true for a group of NGOs which have, over the years, 

lobbied for this area to be saved from the axe of development. It is the one of the only 

areas in the Maltese islands that still maintains that sense of remoteness and wilderness. Its 

ecological, historical and landscape beauty speaks for itself. 

What started as a nightmare for every environmentalist - that of development taking 

over with an urge to simply cover the area with a golf course - turned into a pleasant 

surprise when the Prime Minister announced that not only was the idea of the golf course 

being abandoned but the site was to be declared a national nature and heritage park to be managed by a 

group of NGOs. 

Both Nature Trust (Malta), through submissions made way back in 1992, and Din l-Art Óelwa through 

a lobbying campaign have been trying over the past decade to get this site fully protected. As they say, the 

pen is mightier than the sword since finally a breakthrough was made and now we have the first nature park 

today managed by Nature Trust (Malta), Din l-Art Óelwa and the Gaia Foundation. 

I take this opportunity to thank the Maltese National Commission for UNESCO for making this publication 

possible and believing in our work, Prof. J.M. Falzon for proofreading the publication and The Malta 

Independent for donating one of the pictures used in this publication. 

Vincent Attard 

MEssagE by ProF. CHarlEs FarrUgia 

Chairman, Maltese National Commission for UNESCO 

thE.avifauna.of.Xagóra.l-óaMra........................... 31 

disCovEring.Cultural.hEritagE.at.thE 

. Majjistral.Park..................................................... 35 

thE.girna:.thE.MaltEsE.CorBEllEd.stonE.hut.... 40 

thE.Coastal.and.MarinE.EnvironMEnt................... 43 

gEoMorPhiC.ProCEssEs.at.il-Majjistral.Park 

. and.its.Environs................................................... 47 

WindoWs.to.thE.north.WEst.................................. 52 

Manikata.and.its.rural.asPECts.............................. 54 

The stand taken by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation 

(UNESCO) on the protection and enhancement of the natural environment is unequivocal 

and unambiguous. One important statement on environmental protection reads: 

“There can be no long-term economic or social development on a depleted planet. Teaching 

society how to behave responsibly and respect the environment lies at the core of education for 

sustainable development.” 

In efforts to translate words into action, UNESCO has identified 730 different sites on its World Heritage 

list: 563 cultural, 144 natural and 23 combined. It urges governments and the international community to do 

all they can to ensure that these sites are protected from human and natural developments that in one way 

or another might endanger their existence. Among these one finds our Óal Saflieni Hypogeum, the City of 

Valletta and the Megalithic Temples both in Malta and Gozo. In line with UNESCO’s policy, the State and 

local NGOs do their utmost to preserve this tangible heritage on behalf of the Islands’ inhabitants and our 

many visitors, for the present and future generations. 

UNESCO also urges educators to sensitize young people to their role and responsibility in helping to 

prevent habitat loss and degradation, species loss and pollution, a role which in Malta is admirably fulfilled 

by Nature Trust, among others. 

When Nature Trust (Malta) asked the Maltese National Commission for UNESCO to underwrite this 

publication on the beauty and uniqueness of the Majjistral Natural Reserve in the North-East part of Malta, 

members agreed to do so without hesitation. This project covers specifically and fulfils admirably UNESCO’s 

policies on environmental education and protection. Now that the publication is in hand, I am convinced that 

all who view and own this book will agree that it was a wise decision. The evocative photographs together 

with the informative and stimulating text render the publication an educational tool as well as a memento to 

be cherished and preserved, almost as the site itself. 

IL-MAJJISTRAL Nature and History Park

aboUt tHE ContribUtors 

Dr Petra Bianchi is Director of Din l-Art Helwa. 

John J. Borg: Principal Curator of Natural History responsible for the National Museum of Natural 

History and Ghar Dalam cave and museum in Malta and the Gozo Nature Museum (Citadel). 

Ornithologist, specialising in seabird ecology and breeding biology particullarly of the members 

of the Order Procellariiformes (Shearwaters and Petrels). John was commissioned by MEPA to 

prepare the Ornithological Management Plan for the Xaghra l-Hamra area and has carried out 

the Environment Impact Assesments (Ornithology and Mammalogy) of the same area. 

Mario Cardona is Assistant Head of the primary school of Valletta. He specialised in the filed of 

adult education and training and community development. He is a committee member of the 

steering committee of the Koperattiva Rurali Manikata (KRM) Ltd.. 

Dr. Alan Deidun completed his PhD in Biology on the ecology of local sandy beaches in November 

2006. Since then, Dr. Deidun has co-authored almost 20 scientific papers on aspects of coastal 

ecology, including sandy and shingle beaches, rocky shores, banquettes, killifish populations 

and infralittoral assemblages. He is member of the SIBM (Societa Italiana di Biologia Marina) 

and of the Institute of Biology and currently also editor of the peer-reviewed natural history 

journal ‘The Central Mediterranean Naturalist’. He is currently lecturer at the Department of 

Biology and at the Department of Environmental Science at the Junior College, besides a marine 

consultant and environmental correspondent with The Sunday Times. 

Annalise Falzon is an environmental educator with Nature Trust and the Nature Walks Guide 

of the Majjistral Nature and History Park. In 2003 she co-authored “Malta, Gozo and Comino 

– Off the Beaten Track”, a Nature Trust guidebook for local countryside walks. 

Prof. Joseph M. Falzon is Associate Professor of Educational Psychology (retd.); now consultant 

to the Matsec Board 

Martin Galea is Executive President of Din L-Art Helwa. In other lives he is also president of the 

Federation of Industry and the Malta Rugby Football Union as well as Managing Director of 

Joinwell. 

Dr Rudolf Ragonesi is director of The Gaia Foundation. 

Avertano Rolé lectures in Physical Geography and Agricultural Science at the University of Malta. 

His area of specialisation is geomorphology, land degradation, soil erosion, and desertification. He 

has extensive experience in environmental management in Malta and Australia, and participated 

in several international projects regarding land and environmental management. 

Arnold Sciberras is the Park Ranger at Il-Majjistral Park.He has been studying the local herpetofauna 

for the past decade, focusing special attention on the Maltese Wall Lizard populations and 

their surrounding microhabitats. He has also published extensively on this subject and general 

entomology. 

Jeffrey Sciberras is a part-time gardener and BSc student of Agri-ecosystems Management of the 

Mediterranean. He is interested in botany and has written some short articles on local flora for 

Il-Ballotra. He also contributed to a number of works regarding fauna, 

Joe Sultana is an ornithologist - consultant to the COE European Diploma and to MAP’s RACSPA. 

Formerly Principal Environment Officer, Planning Authority board member, Secretary and 

President of MOS/BirdLife Malta, Council Member of BirdLife International, Chairman of 

Naturopa Centre, and Chairman of Ornis Committee. Authored several ornithological and 

nature publications. Awarded - Gouden Lepelaar by Vogelbescherming, RSPB Medal, and 

Membership of Honour by BirdLife International for outstanding service to ornithology and 

bird conservation. 

Note: The opinions expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and thus may not reflect the opinion of the Editors and project team. 


MEPA 

sEtting UP tHE natUrE Park 

Martin Galea 


From left to right: Mr Vince Attard, Ms Annalise Falzon, Mr Martin Galea Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Mr George Pullicino, 

Dr Rudolf Ragonesi and Dr Stanley Zammit inspecting Il-Majjistral site. 

It all started in the Minister’s office. The 

major NGOs were gathered in the Hon George 

Pullicino’s office to put our views against the 

proposed golf course at Xag˙ra l-Óamra. 

Whilst looking at the map in the waiting room 

we concluded that, far from being given over to 

golf, the area should be in fact a part of Malta’s 

first national park. The area from Çirkewwa to 

Wied iΩ-Ûurrieq contains some of Malta’s most 

beautiful and important countryside and it was an 

obvious candidate for a national park. We made 

this point to the Minister and he immediately 

was interested, however with reservations about 

the golf course as this was a Cabinet decision. 

Din l-Art Óelwa took this forward and 

prepared a detailed 100-page report on the 

area. At a number of meetings with the Prime 

Minister and with the Minister for Rural Affairs 

and the Environment, over the next two years, 

the concept was constantly brought up. The 

reaction was always positive and it was felt 

with increasing optimism that this thing could 

fly. Every opportunity was taken to publicise 

the idea in the media, articles, in Vigilo and in 

meetings with the Superintendence of Cultural 

Heritage and MEPA. The reaction was invariably 

favourable. Malta should have its park. 

IL-MAJJISTRAL Nature and History Park 

We were then told that the Cabinet had 

decided and was determined that this should 

happen. Instructions were given to MEPA to carry 

out a survey and draw up a draft management 

plan. It was a red letter day therefore when it 

was announced in 2007 that the Government 

wished to found a national park and that it was 

to be managed by NGOs. Din l-Art Óelwa and 

Nature Trust were selected and both agreed that 

Gaia should also be asked to join since they had 

considerable expertise in the area. 

A supervisory board was set up by legal 

notice with three Government members 

(representatives from the Ministry for 

Environment and Rural Affairs, the Lands 

Department and MEPA), the three NGOs, and 

an independent Chairman. The choice of the 

chairman was also auspicious as Dr Stanley 

Zammit, who was appointed, had earned 

considerable respect from NGOs when he was 

Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment 

some years previously. 

The Management of the park was to be 

carried out by the NGOs and the Heritage 

Parks Federation was founded specifically for 

this purpose. 

The Malta Independent

The supervisory Board started meeting 

in earnest and has to date concluded an 

extensive consultation process. Earlier this year 

the Government gave over e116,000 to the 

Heritage Parks Federation, and steps could now 

be taken for concrete action to start. Two rangers 

have been employed and some clean-ups have 

started. However the main issue is uncontrolled 

access by vehicles to the area which are destroying 

the garigue and aggravating the dumping 

problem, and at the time of going to press this 

issue was in the process of being resolved, again 

through a consultative approach. 

It is hoped that once access is restricted to 

pedestrians, cyclists and limited vehicular access 

by farmers who have land in the area, progress 

in rehabilitating the damaged natural habitats 

can start in earnest. 

Malta stands much to gain. The environmental 

benefits are clear, but spin-off benefits, not least 

improving the tourism product, are immense 

importance. It will also guarantee that the area 

remains in a pristine state for this and future 

generations to enjoy. 


Annalise Falzon

NATURE WALKS AT IL-MAJJISTRAL 

natUrE and History Park 

Nature walks Guide at Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park 

Web: www.majjistral.org Email: walks@majjistral.org 

For the keen rambler, the Northwest of Malta 

does not need much in way of introduction. It 

offers unique sea and landscapes, a sense of 

wilderness and some truly inspiring walks. One 

of the greatest assets of the Maltese Islands is that 

despite the small size, they feature a wide variety 

of changing landscapes – and the northwest area 

of Malta is certainly no exception. 

Guided walks at Il-Majjistral Nature and 

History Park started on a regular basis in February 

2008 – an initiative which is popular both with 

locals as well as foreigners. The standard guided 

walk, 6km in length, is easy going and takes 

about 2.5hrs starting and ending at Golden Bay. 

Walks are normally held on Sundays and must 

be pre-booked two weeks in advance on walks@ 

majjistral.org – the route can be seen on http:// 

www.majjistral.org/guided_walk.html 

View towards Majjistral Park and Il-Qammie˙ from Ras il-Pellegrin 

Annalise Falzon 


A walk in the park. 


Svetlana Vella Agafonycheva



The Guided Walk 

Exploring the whole area well would take 

much more than two hours… so the guided 

walk aims to take in some of the highlights of this 

area: an area which is predominantly natural 

but which has, however, its share of man-made 

features including those of historical value. 

Starting from Il-Kamp ta’ G˙ajn Tuffie˙a – 

used in the past as military training grounds for 

the Territorials – one can get a good view of the 

inland ridges, the Knights’ coastal towers and 

Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa. 

Garigue - nature’s rock gardens are rich in plant diversity. 

the unique features of the area – queen amongst 

which is the clayey headland of Il-Karraba, 

stubbornly resisting millennia of restlessly 

pounding waves whilst surrounding bays have 

given in to erosion and are now some of the most 

popular sandy beaches of the islands. These 

include the protected area of G˙ajn Tuffie˙a, 

managed by the Gaia Foundation, and Golden 

Bay with its rare sand dune remnants. 

Proceeding on the walk up the limestone 

plateau of Ix-Xag˙ra tal-Majjiesa with its 

windswept and sunbleached rocky outcrops 

Learning about nature - students from Stella Maris College. 


Keith Buhagiar



Salt steppe at il-Prajjet. 

one can appreciate some of the hardiest plants 

making up the garigue – an infinite array of 

natural miniature “rock gardens”. It is here, in 

this most undervalued of habitats, that many 

medicinal and also endemic plants grow mostly 

in the form of small, low-lying evergreen shrubs 

or bulbous plants. 

Fissures in the limestone plateau as a result of underlying clay. 


The Rdum at Ras il-Wa˙x and the rock cut cave seen from below. 

At the uppermost tip of this plateau an 

unexpected rock-cut room stands guard 

over the western horizon in a privileged 

position witnessing the most amazing sunsets. 

Overlooking the mysterious Ras il-Wa˙x are the 

Rdum which give us the unique characteristic of 

our landscape. 

Upper Coralline boulders which collapsed from the plateau of 

Il-Majjiesa. 

Annalise Falzon Annalise Falzon



The massive trunk of an old fig tree 

anchors amidst a sea of boulders. 

Favourite haunt of our National Bird, the 

Blue Rock Thrush, and of many plants, the 

wild backdrop of this coast is heavily sprinkled 

with huge boulders. Do not be deceived by the 

Left: Blue Clay creeping outwards beneath the Upper Coralline 

Limestone and causing its subsidence. Top: Boulders rest at sea. 

The lush green in sheltered Rdum areas provides a contrasting 

habitat to the plateau garigue. 

apparent strength of the harsh limestone – it is 

the underlying Blue Clay layer which has the last 

word here as it causes the definite separation of 

the Upper Coralline Limestone forcing it away 

10 IL-MAJJISTRAL Nature and History Park 




Rock cut stairway at Rdum Majjiesa. 

Il-MinΩel. 

from its dominant position to come tumbling 

down towards the sea. 

The two extremities of the park in fact, hold 

between them this most secret and inaccessible 

of all Maltese landscapes – the wild, labyrinthine 

Rdum – the last place where one would expect to 

find any human impact. But yet, tiny patches of 

land were also worked down here with complex 

dry stone wall systems for sheltering vines and 

fruit trees. At various spots hidden in the cliff one 

can encounter the minΩel – old rock cut stairways 

leading down into the boulder scree. 

An eroded path leads downwards now in full 

view of the rest of the coast leading to Irdum 

id-Delli, capped by Il-Qammie˙ as the last of 

Malta’s ridges and the majestic Ta’ Çenç cliffs 

in Gozo as a backdrop. 

Walking towards G˙ajn Ûnuber and turning 

inland next to a wartime military structure, one 

is instantly transported to a different context 

captured best within the spirit of the Maltese 

Corbelled Stone hut (Girna) – a glimpse back 

into traditional rural Malta with patchworks of 

cultivated land with their backs to the Mistral 

IL-MAJJISTRAL Nature and History Park 11 

Annalise Falzon



Archway set in the dry stone walled fields. 

wind and facing the more sheltered and fertile 

valley of Il-MiΩieb. 

Here one cannot help but heave a sigh of relief 

at the shelved projects which were to see the 

arching back of ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra developed 

as a golf course. 

The Girna - tradtional corbelled stone hut. 

View from Ta’ Ciantar. 

Passing by an old farmhouse one can retrace 

one’s steps back to Golden Bay or opt for a more 

interesting route by walking towards Manikata, 

past the cart ruts on the limestone outcrops 

and walking through the now uninhabited old 

settlement of ir-Razzett tal-Qasam – another 

restoration project is in the pipeline here and is 

spearheaded by the Manikata Rural Cooperative 

and the Mellie˙a Local Council. 

Other walking possibilities in the area 

The walk described above can easily be 

extended to take in more of the Park – heading 

towards the G˙ajn Ûnuber / Ta’ Ciantar Tower 

there is an easy and short route to Il-Prajjet 

(Anchor Bay) along a country road – another 


Annalise Falzon



Giren dot the rural inland landscape. 

similar road passes parallel to it and can be used 

to return to the same spot. Alternatively one 

can opt to walk to Mellieha Bay which is just a 

kilometre away. 

For the more adventurous, a walk in the 

boulder scree offers a completely different 

landscape. There are three main access points 

to descend into the rdum – along Rdum Majjiesa 

and further north along Rdum id-Delli – there 

are traces of rough footpaths but these are often 

hard to find and may entail some clambering 

over and in between boulders. The landscape is 

intriguing, mysterious and ever-changing – but 

Small fields and old vines bear witness to a longtime 

agricultural activity in the area. 

to be traversed with due respect and with a light 

tread as it is home to many rare species which 

have found in this habitat their last refuge. 

The fertile valley bed. Ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra - living up to its name! 






The abandoned settlement at Ir-Razzett tal-Qasam. Dreamlike atmosphere of days gone by at Ir-Razzett tal-Qasam. 

Visiting the medieval settlement of Ir-Razzett tal-Qasam. The track leading to Il-Prajjet. 

Looking inland towards Mellie˙a’s valleys. 

Acknowledgements 

Din l-Art Óelwa www.dinlarthelwa.org 

Gaia Foundation www.projectgaia.org 

Nature Trust Malta www.naturetrustmalta.org 

Mario Cardona and Veronica Farrugia, 

Koperattiva Rurali Manikata www.manikatafarmers.com 

Ramblers Association of Malta 

www.ramblersmalta.jointcomms.com 

Antoine Gatt 

The uniqueness of the rdum habitat is best experienced 

at close range. 




FLORA OF IL-MAJJISTRAL NATURE AND 

HEritagE Park 

Steve Bonello, Jeffrey Sciberras and Annalise Falzon 

Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park, 

situated in the locality of Mellie˙a and extending 

from Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa (Golden Bay) to 

Il-Prajjet (Anchor Bay) offers the visitor an 

insight into some of the most interesting land 

and seascape features and unique coastal views 

along the Northwest of Malta and beyond to 

Gozo’s majestic southern cliffs. The sheer sense 

of wilderness and open space here is enough 

justification for it to be granted status as a 

protected area. 

striking with an expanse of aromatic garigue, 

cultivated land, valleys and extensive plateaux. 

The Majjistral Boulder Scree 

Certainly the most visually dramatic area of 

the Majjistral Park must be the vast boulder 

fields lying between the upper cliff faces and the 

One of the greatest assets of the Maltese 

Islands is that despite their small size, they 

feature a wide variety of changing landscapes 

– and the northwest area of Malta is certanly 

no exception. The coast often steals the show 

with the most striking sunsets experienced 

from Rdum Majjiesa whilst the daytime attracts 

people to its sandy beaches surrounded by sand 

dune remnants with very rare plants, the wilder 

boulder screes, rolling clay slopes, cliffs and tiny 

hidden bays. But the inland views are no less Boulder Scree. 


Custom Aerial Photos 

Steve Bonello



Rdum habitat. 

seashore, stretching all the way from Ir-Ramla 

tal-Mixquqa (Golden Bay) to Rdum id-Delli – a 

distance of some three kilometres. This coast 

which can seem so harsh to some is conversely 

attractive to many species for which this is the 

last relatively undisturbed land they can inhabit. 

This is an area of very rough terrain in places 

and not an easy one to navigate – though various 

footpaths do criss-cross this vast and somewhat 

hostile area. Close exploration does however 

have its rewards – primarily in the area’s stunning 

vistas and the rich floral biodiversity featuring 

an array of representative species of garigue, 

boulder scree and clay slope habitats – one of 

the best refuges for a wide variety of flora and 

fauna and is indeed considered as constituting 

a unique biological community. 

Clifftop boulders detached from the plateau. 

The uniqueness of this terrain is owed to the 

peculiarity of its formation – the Upper Coralline 

Limestone which caps many hills, forms a plateau 

resting on an unstable, and somewhat mobile 

substrate – Blue Clay. This impermeable layer 

becomes saturated with rainwater and slides 

down forming slopes. The overlying limestone 

loses its foothold and its weight becomes its 

downfall as boulders detach and tumble down 

to the coast, often resting in precarious positions 

whilst at other times continuing their headlong 

path straight down to the sea. 

Shrubby Crown Vetch. 

Characteristic of the southernmost part of 

the boulder scree is Malta’s largest population 

of the rare Shrubby Crown Vetch (Coronilla 

valentina), a small bushy species which erupts 

in very fragrant yellow flowers in early 

springtime. In the Maltese Islands this species 

is confined to a very few seaboard cliff sites, 

and occurs inland only in one or two locations; 

the population at Majjistral is certainly the 

most beautifully sited. Other highly interesting 

species include a very small copse of the rare 

Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus), and recently 

recorded small but significant populations of 

the Southern Dwarf Iris (Iris pseudopumila) 

and the very rare endemic and protected 

Maltese Toadflax (Linaria pseudolaxiflora) 1 , a 

species of European Importance, and the rare 

Evergreen Traveller’s Joy (Clematis cirrhosa). 


Annalise Falzon



Southern Dwarf Iris. 

Other predominant species in the area include 

the Wild Honeysuckle (Lonicera implexa), the 

Wolfbane (Periploca angustifolia), the endemic 

Maltese Spurge (Euphorbia melitensis) and 

the Egyptian St. John’s Wort (Hypericum 

aegypticum). 

The aquifer formed as a result of the 

impermeability of the Blue Clay stratum gives 

rise to some freshwater springs which are often 

demarcated by the presence of the Great Reed 

(Arundo donax). Under several large boulders, 

fresh water or brackish rock pools also occur. 

These rock are usually surrounded by Sea Rush 

(Juncus maritimus). 

Tree species include the Olive (Olea europea), 

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), the Fig (Ficus carica), 

Almond (Prunus dulcis), the Tamarisk (Tamarix 

africana) as well as some fruit trees. Interestingly 

some wild vines testify the traditional agricultural 

use of even the smallest patch of soil – a practice 

still in use today in some parts of the park.. 

The vast boulder scree area also contains 

pockets of garigue habitat. In this area one can 

find characteristic orchid species like the Bumble 

Bee (Ophrys bombyliflora), the endemic Maltese 

Pyramidal (Anacamptis urvilleana), the Scented 

Bug Orchid (Orchis fragrans), the Tongue Orchid 

(Serapias parviflora) as well as the Maltese Spider 

Scented Bug Orchid. 

Egyptian St. John’s Wort. Maltese Spider Orchid. 



Steve Bonello

Jeffrey Sciberras Annalise Falzon 

Orchid (Ophrys melitensis) and the Common 

Pyramidal (Anacamptis pyramidalis). 

In some flat plain areas along the coast of the 

boulder scree certain patches are dominated by 

the Fringed Rue (Ruta chalepensis) accompanied 

by the small low creeping Kidney Bladder Vetch 

(Tripodion tetraphyllum). Large boulders are 

host habitats for the common endemic Maltese 

Fleabane (Chiliadenus bocconei) and for the Sea 

Bushy Restharrow. 

Black Bryony. 

Samphire (Crithmum maritimum). 

The rocky outcrops in this northern outpost 

of the park boast some good populations of Wild 

Honeysuckle, Yellow Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis 

hermanniae), as well as small pockets of the rare 

climbing Black Bryony (Tamus communis). 

Also of note in the higher parts above the scree 

is a small population of the Bushy Restharrow 

(Ononis natrix ssp. ramosissima) a plant which 

although quite common on the sister islands 

of Gozo and Comino is very rare on mainland 

Malta. This plant has the curious distinction 

of being Malta’s oldest protected species, since 

at the time of Grandmaster De Rohan’s rule a 

decree had been issued banning its collection 

for firewood prior to a fortnight after the feast 

of St.John, in order to allow for seed formation 

and dispersal. 

Clay Slopes 

The clay slopes lying amid the boulder fields 

in the south of the area between Mixquqa and 

Ras il-Wa˙x are home to the only significant 

1 IL-MAJJISTRAL Nature and History Park

Steve Bonello 

population of Fagonia cretica on the islands. This 

is a prostrate spiny plant which produces masses 

of small purple flowers from January until March. 

Curiously this plant does not occur anywhere else 

in the Maltese Islands except for a tiny population 

at Il-Karraba in G˙ajn Tuffie˙a. 

The northernmost part of the area, known 

as Irdum id-Delli features beautiful clay slopes 

dominated by Esparto Grass (Lygeum spartum). 

The Garigue Expanses 

Fagonia cretica. Clay slopes at Rdum id-Delli. 

Further up the limestone plateaux, including 

the much disputed Xag˙ra l-Óamra, are 

dominated by garigue on sparse soil with low 

lying shrubs facing the prevailing northwestern 

Maltese Spurge. 

winds, or by rocky steppe. And this windswept 

land, with its deceptively “barren” appearance 

in the dry season, is in reality adorned by the 

most exquisite orchids with a total of nine species 

recorded from the area. It is often in the winter 

and spring that most of the habitats come to 

life – although early summer is also similarly 

rewarding with the Maltese Spurge (Euphorbia 

melitensis) creating a unique reddish mosaic of 

leaves that would seem more akin to autumnal 

colours. Is is then the time of the Wild Thyme 

to flourish and spread its scented carpet of lilac 

flowers. 

The Upper Coralline Limestone Plateaux of 

the park area are identical to garigue habitat, 

with short-lived temporary freshwater pools 

in winter, and interspersed with stretches of 



Steve Bonello



Maltese Spurge changing colour – a stark contrast 

with the evergreen Thyme. 

dry stone walls and cultivated or abandoned 

parcels of land. Recently disturbed areas show 

a low level of biodiversity, while long abandoned 

disturbed sites tend to develop their own unique 

well established natural ecosystems. An example 

Maltese Pyramidal Orchid reclaiming abandoned fields. 

of the latter is the Maltese Pyramidal Orchid’s 

tendency to re-establish itself in abandoned 

cultivated land on the garigue. 

The southermost parts of the plateau are 

mainly characterised by the Shrubby Kidney 

Vetch (Anthyllis hermanniae), a very hardy, spiny 

shrub which is completely covered in small yellow 

flowers in late spring and the silvery shrub Oliveleaved 

Bindweed (Convolvus oleiolfolius) which 

flowers in spring and becomes bare in summer. 

A prostrate relative, which is quite rare in this 

area is the Field Bindweed (Convolvus althaeoides 

ssp.tenuissimus) a very hairy subspecies when 

compared to the more common ssp althaeoides. 

Rarely seen in open sunny cliff edge areas since 

it is mainly a maquis inhabitant, is the Yellow 

Germander (Teucrium flavum). This plant is 

immediately identifiable by its glossy leaves or 

by its faint gum-like odour. 

Mediterranean Hartwort. 

Longstanding disturbance in this area has 

created a community consisting mostly of 

low growing annuals, co-existing with small 

bulbous perennials. These include species such 

as Pygmy Cudweed (Evax pygmea), Annual 

Hyoseris (Hyoseris scabra), Common Reichardia 

(Reichardia picroides), Wild Clary (Salvia 

verbenaca) Mediterranean Hartwort (Tordylium 

apulum), Clustered Sulla (Hedysarum spinossimun 

ssp capitatum), Storkbill (Erodium moschatum and 

Erodium malacoides), Sand-crocuses (Romulea sp.), 

Barbary Nut Iris and Mediterranean Meadow 

Saffron (Colchicum cupani). Medium sized 

annuals and biennials also occur here, such as 

Pale Bugloss (Echium italicum) which resembles a 

miniature Christmas tree when it dries up, and 

the Yellow Horned-Poppy (Glaucium flavum). 

The eastern edge of this area, where disturbance 

is most pronounced is dominated by the Greater 

Snapdragon (Anthirrinum tortuosum). This species 


Jeffrey Sciberras



Mediterranean Meadow Saffron. 

is also accompanied by the Large Blue Alkanet 

(Anchusa azurea) especially throughout the 

border of this park. 

A path leading inland has been somehwat 

taken over by several alien species such as the 

Chasmanthe (Chasmanthe bicolor), Aeonium 

(Aeonium arboreums) and Prickly Pear (Opuntia 

ficus indica). In contrast there are several rare 

indigenous species such as the Sicilian Squill (Scilla 

sicula) and Kundmannia (Kundmannia sicula) 

which looks like a cross between the common 

fennel and celery. Other naturally found species 

include the Mediterranean Thyme (Thymbra 

capitata), Blue Stonecrop (Sedum caeruleum) and 

Mediterranean Stonecrop (Sedum sediforme) as 

Sicilian Squill. 

well as a few Lesser Snapdragons (Misopates 

orontium) which have bluish leaves and very small 

pink flowers, a species on the increase. Shaded 

areas are populated by Caper (Capparis orientalis), 

Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria judaica) and Wild 

Madder (Rubia peregrina). Some archaeophytes 

also occur such as the Carob Tree (Ceratonia 

siliqua) and Fig Tree (Ficus carica). 

Mediterranean Stonecrop. 

The plateau of Ix-Xag˙ra tal-Qortin is 

dominated by small shrubs of Shrubby Kidney 

Vetch, Mediterranean Thyme, Spiny Ox- 

Eye Daisy (Pallenis spinosa) and Spiny Chicory 

(Chicorum spinosum) the appearance of which 

resembles that of a hedgehog – hence its Maltese 

name Qanfuda. A few specimens of the Hoary 

Hoary Rock Rose. 



Jeffrey Sciberras 


Barbary Nut Iris. 

Rock-Rose (Cistus creticus) have been recorderd 

in this area 2 . In spring paths are covered by the 

small Barbary Nut Iris (Gynandriris sisyrinchium). 

The nearby Xag˙ra tal-Majjiesa comprises 

localised patches of garigue dominated by 

Wolfbane (Periploca angustifolia) a mainly north 

African species with very unusual succulent 

small greenish flowers, and by the endemic 

Maltese Spurge (Euphorbia melitensis) – often 

parasitised by the stubborn and fast-spreading 

reddish hair-like stems of the Dodder (Cuscuta 

epithymum). Some patches are dominated by the 

Mediterranean Heather (Erica multiflora) which 

Wolfbane pod and flower (inset). 

Southern Crupina. 

when in bloom is one of the most attractive pink 

flowering shrubs in Malta. Another attractive 

large shrub is the Evergreen Honeysuckle 

(Lonicera implexa) whilst a shrub which is scarce 

in this area but less so in other areas is the 

Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis fruticosa). Attractive 

alien species have also colonised this area such 

as the Freesia (Freesia refracta). The slender 

Southern Crupina (Crupina crupinastrum), which 

is quite a rarity, has also been recorded from the 

plateau and along a few paths. 

Non-shrubby species here include the very 

common Sea Squill (Urginea pancration) which 

grows leaves in winter, dries in summer and 

blooms (without leaves) in summer/autumn, the 

Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), the scarce Maltese 

Savory (Satureja microphylla), known for its use 

to cure people having intestinal calcium excess, 

and the Clustered Carline Thistle (Carlina 

involucrata). 

The flora at Ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra also hosts 

most of the above mentioned species, with 

the addition of the dominant shrub Oliveleaved 

Germander (Teucrium fruticans), Eastern 

Phagnalon (Phagnalon graec0um ssp. ginzbergeri) 

and the Hispid Beard-grass (Hyparrhenia hirta). 

The Rdum id-Delli plateau is the highest 

plateau in the park but not the largest. It supports 


Steve Bonello

Annalise Falzon Annalise Falzon 

Large Star of Bethlehem. 

vegetation communities typical of garigue and 

steppe, regenerating garigue and garigue-clay 

slope transitions. 

The regenerating fields vary. Some are still in 

the steppic stage, with species like the dominant 

Pitch Clover (Bituminaria bituminosa), Southern 

Star Thistle (Centaurea nicaeensis), Beard-grass 

and Cape Sorrel (Oxalis pes-caprae). Regenerated 

garigue supports the Silvery Ragwort (Senecio 

bicolor) which is quite frequent, the Branched 

Asphodel (Asphodelus aestivus), the Large Star 

of Bethlehem, (Ornithogalum arabicum), which is 

sometimes unfortunately collected in bunches 

for decoration purposes, Southern Star of 

Bethlehem (Ornithogalum narbonense), dominant 

orchids such as the endemic Maltese Pyramidal 

Orchid and later on in the season the Common 

Pyramidal. The garigue of this area is equally 

dominated by the characteristic shrubby species 

mentioned before. However, in the transition 

area between garigue and clay steppes, one can 

find the rare Bushy Restharrow (Ononis natrix. 

ssp.ramosissima), the Common Sulla (Hedysarum 

cornarium), Silvery Ragwort and Grey Birdsfoot 

Trefoil (Lotus cystisoides) which is usually found 

very close to the sea. 

Valley habitat 

Wied ta’ Rdum leads down to Il-Prajjet from 

Ta’ Ciantar/G˙ajn Ûnuber – this is in fact one of 

the only places where the Ûnuber – Aleppo Pine 

(Pinus halepensis) – can be found growing in the 

slightly more sheltered low valley together with 

Tamarisk trees. 

Salt Steppe 

The coastal area towards il-Prajjet is an 

expanse of highly salt-tolerant plants forming 

a contrasting habitat to the garigue to the 

south – this salt steppe is dominated by Esparto 

Grass, Golden Samphire (Inula chritmoides) and 

Sea Squill, Maltese Sea Chamomile (Anthemis 

urvilleana) and Maltese Sea-Lavender (Limonium 

melitensis) and Sea-Heath (Frankenia hirsuta). 

Southern Star of Bethlehem. Salt steppe near Il-Prajjet. 


Annalise Falzon


References 

An Ecological Survey of the Rdum il-Majjiesa area prepared 

for the GAIA Foundation, by E. Calleja, V. Gaydarova 

Calleja, May 2000 

EIS Xag˙ra l-Óamra and Tal-Qortin l/o Mellie˙a, Proposed 

Golf Course and Supporting facilities, Techincal 

Appendix 5: Ecology Baseline Survey, L. Cassar, S. 

Lanfranco obo MTA April 2006 

Flora of the Maltese Islands, a field guide. Hans Christian Weber 

and Bernd Kendzoir, Margraf Publishers, 2006. 

Maltese Sea Chamomile. 

Acknowledgements 

Arnold Sciberras 

Edwin Lanfranco 

Mario Cardona 

Endnotes 

1. Linaria pseudolaxiflora was first recorded from the area 

by one of the authors – Steve Bonello. 

2. Cistus creticus was first recorded from the area by one 

of the authors – Jeffrey Sciberras. 

Common name (English) Common name (Maltese) Scientific name 

Barbary nut iris Fjurdulis salva©© Gynandiris sisyrinchum 

Pale bugloss Ilsien il-fart abjad Echium italicum 

Yellow horned poppy Pepprin isfar Glacium flavum 

Mediterranean hartwort Óaxixet it-triera˙ Tordylium apulum 

Large Blue alkanet Ilsien il fart ik˙al kbir Anchusa azurea 

Greater snapdragon Papoççi ˙omor Antirrhinum tortuosum 

Lesser snapdragon Papoççi irqiqa Misopates orontium 

Maltese toadflax Papoççi ta’ Malta Linaria pseudolaxiflora 

Maltese fleabane Tulliera ta’ Malta Chiliadenus bocconei 

Yellow germander Bog˙rom komuni Teucrium flavum 

Olive leaved germander Ûebbu©ija Teucrium fruticans 

Olive leaved binweed Lebliet tal-blat Convolvus oleifolius 

Hairy mallow leaved binweed Leblieb tax-xag˙ri Convolvus althaieoides ssp. tenuissimus 

Fringed rue Fej©el Ruta chalepensis 

Carob Óarruba Ceratonia siliqua 

Sicilian squill G˙ansar ik˙al Scilla sicula 

Aeonium Kalluwa Aoenuim arboreum 

Wolfbane Si©ret tal-˙arir Periploca angustifolia 


Bushy restharrow Broxka t’G˙awdex Ononis natrix ssp. ramossisima 

Hoary roack rose Çistu roΩa Cistus creticus 

Almond LewΩa Prunus dulcis 

Honey suckle Qarn il-mog˙Ωa Lonicera implexa 

Sulla Silla Hedysarum coronarium 

Clustered sulla Silla salva©©a Hedysarum spinossimun ssp capitatum 

Common Reichardia Qançlita Reichardia picroides 

Meadow Saffron Busieq Colchicum cupani 

Olive Ûebbu©a Olea europea 

Fig tree Tina Ficus carica 

African tamarisk Si©ra tal-bruk Tamarix africana 

Kidney bladder vetch Silla tal-bΩieΩel Tripodion tetraphyllum 

Southern dwarf iris Bellus Iris pseudopumila 

Maltese spurge Teng˙ud tax-xag˙ri Euphorbia melitensis 

Spiny chicory Qanfuda Chicorum spinosum 

Esparto grass Óalfa Lygeum spartum 

Sea sharp rush Simar tal-ba˙ar Juncus maritimus 

Hispid beard grass Hyparrhenia hirta 

Dodder Pittma Cuscuta epithymum 

Southern star thistle Xewk ta’ l-g˙otba Centaurea nicaeensis 

Silvery ragwort Kromb il-ba˙ar isfar Senecio bicolor 

Southern crupina Crupina crupinastrium 

Pitch clover Silla tal-mog˙oΩ Bituminaria bituminosa 

Cape sorrel Qarsu Oxalis pes-caprae 

Birds foot trefoil Qrempuç tal-xatt Lotus cystisoides 

Eastern phagnalon Lixka komuni Phagnalon graceum ssp. ginzbergeri 

Clustered Carline thistle Sajtun Carlina involucrata 

Branched asphodel Berwieq komuni Asphodelus aestivus 

Large star of Bethlehem Óalib it-tajr kbir Ornithogalum arabicum 

Southern star of Bethlehem Óalib it-tajr Ωg˙ir Ornithogalum narbonense 

Freesia FriΩja Freesia refracta 

Aleppo pine Ûnuber Pinus halepensis 

Mediterranean heath Erika Eika multiflora 

Maltese savory Xpakkapietra Satureja microphylla 

Blue stone crop BeΩΩul il-baqra Sedum caeruleum 

Mediterranean stone crop Sedum Sedum sedifome 

Wild madder Robbja salva©©a Rubia peregrina 

Pellitory of the wall Xe˙t ir-ri˙ Parietaria judaica 

Caper Kappar Capparis orientalis 

Sea samphire BuΩbies il-ba˙ar Crithmum maritmum 

Golden samphire Xorbett Inula crithmoides 

Shrubby crown vetch Koronilla Coronilla valentina 

Shrubby kidney vetch Óatba s-sewda Anthyllis hermannaie 

Thyme Sag˙tar Thymus capitata 

Annual hyoseris Ûigland Ωg˙ir Hyoseris scabra 

Wild clary Salvja salva©©a Salvia verbenaca 

Sand crocuses Ûag˙rani Romulea sp. 

Chaste tree Si©ra tal-virgi Vitex agnus-castus 

Kundmannia Kundmannia sicula 

Chasmanthe Chasmanthe bicolor 

Egyptian St. John’s wort Fexfiex tal-blat Hypericium aegyptium 

Black brony Bronja sewda Tamus communis 

Spiny oxy eye daisy G˙ajn il-baqra xewwikija Pallenis spinosa 

Wild carrot Zunnarija salva©©a Daucus carota 

Maltese sea chamomile Bebuna tal-ba˙ar Anthemis urvilleana 

Maltese sea lavender Limonju ta’ Malta Limonju melitensis 

Sea heath Erba franka Frankenia hirsuta 

Sea squill G˙ansar komuni Urginea pancration 

Glandular stork bill Moxt Erodium malacoides 

Musk stork bill Óaxixa tal-misk Erodium moschatum 

Great reed Buda Arundo donax 

Jerusalem sage Salvjun Phlomis fruticosa 

Maltese pyramidal orchid Orkida piramidali ta’ Malta Anacamptis urvilleana 

Common pyramidal orchid Orkida piramidali Anacamptis pyramidalis 

Maltese spider orchid Brimba sewda ta’ Malta Ophrys melitensis 

Scented bug orchid Orkida tfu˙ Orchis fragrans 

Tongue orchid Orkida ta’ ilsiena Ωg˙ira Serapias parviflora 

Bumble bee orchid Na˙la Orchis bombylifora 

Fagonia Fagonja Fagonia cratica 

Evergreen traveler’s joy Kies˙a Clematis cirrhosa 

Pygmy cudweed Evaks Evaks pgymea 

Prickly pear Bajtar tax-xewk Opuntia ficus indica 

IL-MAJJISTRAL Nature and History Park 2

FAUNA AT MAJJISTRAL PARK 

A few months ago a substantial chunk of land 

which lies within the boundaries of what has now 

been designated the Majjistral Park was going to 

be completely taken over for the proposed mega 

golf course project. This move would have had 

devastating effects on the local landscape which 

eventually would have destroyed the entire 

ecological system present in the area. 

It was in September 2007 that the area in the 

northwest of Malta, which includes the coastal 

cliffs known as Rdum Majjiesa and Rdum id- 

Delli, as well as the site at Xag˙ra l-Óamra, was 

declared a National Park by the Government 

of Malta by Legal Notice becoming the first 

of its kind. The Park has taken the name of 

the region, the Northwest, or Majjistral in the 

Maltese language. 

The most recent boundaries proposed for 

the park extend from Golden Bay as far as 

Anchor Bay comprising all the coastal zones 

known as Rdum Majjiesa and Rdum id-Delli and 

extending inland to Xag˙ra l-Óamra up to the 

road passing by Manikata church; the park has 

an area nearly equal to that of Comino. 

Due to its varied nature the park hosts 

different habitats in which a large diversity of 

flora and fauna is encountered. A number of 

species are restricted to a specific habitat while 

the majority of species found in this region are 

cosmopolitan. Also while most of the species 

are resident in the park boundaries, visitors are 

encountered that generally are associated with 

other areas within the island and others reside 

from offshore. Since Malta is small all visitors 

from outside the island may be found in any 

location, i.e. species arriving from Europe or 

Africa may be found anywhere on the island but 

as a general rule most species as, for example, 

migrating insects from the African continent 

usually reach the island from the Wied Babu 

area (Ûurrieq) and in a few hours reach the park 

since it basically harbours the same cliff face. 

Since this area was put into focus a number of 

studies were conducted to analyse the ecological 

impact if most of the latter was transformed into 

a golf course and other amenities and these 

studies provided some of the first indications 

of how rich in biodiversity this part of Malta is. 


All these studies can be easily accessed in the 

park’s official website www.majjistral.org. Since 

then several observations are continuously being 

carried out by naturalists most of whom are 

volunteers to accumulate data and increase the 

knowledge of the ecology within the site. This is 

also currently being done in other fields. 

This article is just browsing over some 

interesting macro fauna (small- to medium-sized 

animals) present or frequently recorded in the 

park from personal observations and will be 

dealing with species ranging from Arthropods 

to Mammals. Flora and birds are being excluded 

because they are being dealt with in separate 

articles. Most of the following fauna are eyecatching 

and the ecovisitor or nature enthusiast 

will search for and observe the following species. 

On the other hand the diversity in the park is 

so rich that to list all fauna is impossible due to 

studies in progress and would require volumes 

of work solely for this purpose. 

The first observations that indicated how rich 

the park is took place when the first cleanups 

started to be taken in hand. When old tanks 

replacing rubble walls started to be shifted large 

numbers of Common Earthworm (Allolobophora 

sp) sometimes having an unusually large size of 

more than 35cm were found under them. These 

are ecologically very important fauna as they 

play a significant role in soil fertility and aeration. 

Another annelid encountered in the park is the 

Blood Worm (Tubiflex sp) but although common 

its distribution is restricted since only a few 

rock pools and artificial reservoirs are present. 

This makes most of the local freshwater aquatic 

animals scarcer in this area. 

Where no alien fauna such as the Goldfish 

(Carassius auratus) is present freshwater life 

is extremely rich. While in the majority of 

natural rock pools there are seasonal periods 

for biodiversity to proceed in its cycle, most 

of the reservoirs contain water all year round 

and sustain numerous species of biota in them. 

Two types of rockpools were noted in the park, 

the most common being the small ones in open 

garigue which quickly dry up by late spring. 

The other types are deep (over 50cm) rockpools 

that collect water from the boulder scree that is 

sheltering them also from strong sunlight. Some 




Painted Frog. 

of the latter have been modified over time by 

local farmers to sustain water almost all year 

round. 

Fauna expected in the first type of rockpools 

but till now never encountered in this area is the 

common Fairy Shrimp (Branchipus schaefferi). 

The more permanent rockpools sustain 

healthy populations of Malta’s only indigenous 

amphibian, the Painted Frog (Discoglossus pictus 

pictus), a number of Lesser Water Boatman 

(Corixa affinis) and minute species of Diving 

Beetles. In artificial reservoirs large numbers 

of Greater Backswimmer (Notonecta maculata), 

Large and Black Predacious Diving Beetles 

(Dytiscus circumflexus, Meladema coriacea) are 

present along with their prey the Water Flea 

(Daphnia pulicaria). The most attractive of all 

freshwater species are the adults of dragonflies 

and the delicate looking damselflies (collectively 

known as Odonata) which need a water body to 

lay eggs and for the nymph to live in. The park 

is one of the few localities in Malta where the 

Long Skimmer (Orthetrum trinacria) has been 

spotted and may be breeding in the vicinity. 

During migrations from Africa, the park is one 

of the first places to record large numbers of 

Lesser and Vagrant Emperors (Anax parthenope 

Scarlet Darter. 

and Anax ephigger). The recently naturally 

colonised Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) 

breeds regularly in the area. The Scarlet Darter 

(Crocothemis erythraea) is the commonest species 

of dragonfly in this as in other places. 

In the vicinity of these cool areas one will 

generally encounter most of the mollusc species, 

the most common being the Edible Snail (Cantereus 

asperses), the Goat Snail (Cantareus apertus) and 

the Red-banded Snail (Eobania vermiculata). The 

Maltese Marmorana (Marmorana melitensis), an 

endemic species, is a common sight especially 

in summer when it gathers in large numbers 

in clumps on dry Common and Giant Fennel 

(Foeniculum vulgare, Ferula communis) stalks and 

A Daddy-Long-Leg Spider with its prey, the House Centipede. 

A Blue Bottle Fly. 

other vegetation to keep cool from the extreme 

heat that hits the ground. Its white shell also aids 

in bouncing back most of the heat waves that hit 

upon it. 

A large number of 13-15 cm size pale yellow 

Common Slugs (Limacus flavus) were found under 

remains of wooden doors during a cleanup and 

the latter seemed to be enjoying the humidity 

the rotten wood and all forms of paper offered 

in the vicinity. This species is known as being 

able to survive on anything even in this human 

litter. Companion species generally found in the 

same habitat of the latter such as on the humid 


Arnold Sciberras Arnold Sciberras


walls of the stone corbelled huts (giren in Maltese) 

are the Common Millepede (Pachyiulus flavipes), 

Daddy-long-legs Spiders (Pholcus phalangioides) 

and other species) and the very active House 

Centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) hunting for 

smaller insects such as House Flies (Musca 

domestica), Bluebottles (Calliphora vicina) and 

Moth Flies (Psychoda sp). On the ground of these 

huts if not covered completely with limestone 

blocks (çangatura in Maltese), Soil Centipedes 

(Himantharium gabrielis) are generally present in 

the fine soil as they search for the tiny beetle 

larvae. 

In the same kind of habitat but in a more 

natural state such as under loose rocks and in 

cracks present in most of the garigue of this 

area one finds several species of arthropods 

that are favoured by this environment. Several 

Woodlouse (Porcellio laevis, Chaetophiloscia 

elongata and other Isopoda sp) and Silverfish 

(Zygentoma sp) species can be encountered 

within the park followed and predated frequently 

by the brightly coloured 10cm Yellow Centipede 

(Scolopendra cingulata). A number of arachnids 

such as the Beady Spider (Steatoda paykulliana) 

and the minute pseudoscorpions species 

have also been recently encountered. The Pill 

Millepede (Glomeris distichella) is a beautiful black 

and orange coloured woodlouse-like structure 

myriapod and can only be distinguished from 

Isopods because of its colors and the fact that 

it has more legs which are longer than those 

of woodlice. The wingless Field Cockroach 

(Loboptera decipiens) and several Earwig species 

(Dermaptera sp) are also frequent neighbours 

within this environment. 

On the rocks and above, the invertebrate 

species list is countless ranging from 

inconspicuous terrestrial dwelling organisms 

to the beautiful coloured highly variable flying 

ones. The most common group of insects being 

Oak Longhorn Beetle. 

Egyptian Grasshoppers mating. 

encountered on the ground are the beetles. 

Up to now over 50 species of the latter have 

been recorded from the site. These include the 

common Tortoise Darkling Beetle (Alphasida 

grossa melitana), the Maltese Field Beetle (Pimelia 

rugulosa melitana), the heavy grass eater Common 

Oil Beetle (Meloe tuccius) and the Churchyard 

Beetle (Blaps gigas) being the largest flightless 

beetles locally. 

Desert Locust. 

Occasionally in the summer months the 

beautiful conspicuous Emerald Chafer (Protaetia 

cuprea incerta) is sometimes confused with a 

large hymenoptrin such as the Carpenter Bee 

(Xylocopa violacea) when with difficulty it lifts 

its body in the air and travels from one Wild 

Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) to another to 

feed. The only flying coleopteroids that outsize 

the latter are the longhorn beetles, the largest in 

Malta being the Oak long horn (Cerambyx cerdo) 

which is a rare sight in the park. This may be 

due to the absence of its host plant, the Oak tree 

(Quercus ilex). 

The park provides an excellent environment 

for most of the ortopteroid species. About 

10 species of grasshoppers and 7 species of 


Arnold Sciberras Arnold Sciberras


crickets have been recorded here. These 

include the common Egyptian and Whitebanded 

(Anacridium aegyptium, Eyprepocnemis 

plorans) grasshoppers. The park is also one of 

the first to receive the migrating Desert Locust 

(Schistocerca gregaria). Blue-winged Grasshoppers 

(Sphingonotus coerulans) are a common sight in the 

summer period. Less frequently encountered is 

the Mediterranean Slant-faced (Acrida ungarica 

mediterranea). Most of the crickets are nocturnal 

such as the popular Two-spotted Field Cricket 

(Gryllus bimaculatus) but some are diurnal, a 

good example being the Green Bush Cricket 

(Phaneroptera nana). Other bugs are also being 

represented most commonly at their best by the 

bright red Soldier Bug (Spilostethus pandurus) 

and the noisy summer Cicada (Cicada orni). 

Lepidoptera observation is still in its infancy in 

this area but a rich diversity is promised; from 

ongoing observations it has already become 

evident that the beautiful Swallowtail (Papilio 

machaon melitensis) is showing an increase in 

population number. 

As the days tend to become warmer a 

constant battle may be observed on the flower 

heads. One clear cut example is between several 

species of crab spiders (Thomisidae sp), with 

flower beetles such as the White-spotted and 

Lobed Argiope weaving its web. 

Yellow-haired Barbary Bugs (Oxythyrea funesta, 

Tropinota squalida) trying to occupy the same 

space. Occasionally the huge web of a Lobed 

Argiope (Argiope lobata) may be seen bending 

two flower stalks. 

The number of vertebrate animal species is 

low in our islands but assumes extreme ecological 

importance. Reptiles like the Ocellated Skink 

(Chalcides ocellatus) and both of our local geckos 

Ocellated Skink. 

Moorish Gecko. 

Chameleon. 

A juvenile Western Whip Snake. 


Arnold Sciberras Arnold Sciberras Arnold Sciberras 

Arnold Sciberras


Lesser Horseshoe Bat. 

(Tarentola mauritanica, Hemidactylus turcicus) are 

a common sight in the park as is the introduced 

chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon). Both the 

Western Whip Snake and Cat Snake (Hierophis 

viridiflavus, Telescopus fallax) were encountered 

much more regularly than the ever decreasing 

Leopard Snake (Zamensis situla). Although the 

park is an ideal habitat for the endemic Maltese 

Wall Lizard (Podarcis filfolensis maltensis), it lacks 

the species as does all of the northwest of the 

island. 

The park is one of the best places for the Vagrant 

Hedgehog (Erinaceus algirus). Unfortunately 

several of these hedgehogs are run over by vehicles 

as they cross the many roads that go through the 

area. Wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the 

other four rodent species (Muridae sp) share the 

habitat and the surrounding agricultural fields 

while rarely a feast is made on the latter by the 

graceful Weasel (Mustela nivalis). Old remains and 

a few caves are home to the remarkable and silent 

Maltese Wall Lizard. 

Chiroptera species such as the Lesser Horseshoe 

and Mag˙reb Mouse Eared Bats (Rhinolphus 

hipposideros, Myotis punicus). 

Malta is rich in biodiversity and Majjistral is 

no exception and proves that where the land 

is still unspoilt (unfortunately a lot is) most of 

the biodiversity is at its best, and where already 

degraded, if given a chance, life will find a way 

and enable nature to regenerate. All we need 

to do is to protect this heritage from each other 

for each other by promoting education, raising 

awareness and giving a helping hand when 

needed. As for the rest we can just sit aside and 

let nature take its course. 

References 

CASHA, ALEX (2004). Where to watch birds and other wildlife 

in Malta. BirdLife (Malta) 

HASLAM, S.M. & BORG, J. (1998). The River Valleys of the 

Maltese Islands. The Islands and Small States Institute. 

SCIBERRAS, A. (2004). Put a sign to save a life. The Sunday 

Times. December 19 th p.15 

SCIBERRAS, A, SCIBERRAS J. & MAGRO, D. (2007). 

A Celebration of Dragonflies. The Malta Independent. 

November 19 th pp.8-9. 

www.majjistral.org - accessed 2.4.2008 

Acknowledgments 

Mag˙reb Mouse Eared Bat. 

The author would like to thank Jeffrey Sciberras, Annalise 

Falzon and Esther Schembri for their assistance in field 

work. 

The author is the Ranger of Majjistral Park. 


Arnold Sciberras

ThE AvIFAUNA OF XAgÓRA L-ÓAMRA 

Due to the widespread trapping and hunting 

at Xag˙ra l-Óamra the avifauna of the area 

has, until fairly recently, rarely been studied. 

In all past ornithological works there is hardly 

any mention of the avifauna of the site. But 

in 2006 the Malta Environment and Planning 

Authority commissioned the preparation of an 

Ornithological Management Plan of the area 

with the main aim of identifying the breeding, 

migrating and wintering birds of ix-Xag˙ra l- 

Óamra (Borg 2006). The status of the species is 

based on the information which is available in this 

plan while the species’ behaviour, particularly 

related to their nesting habits, is based on 

Birdlife Malta’s publication Bil-Bejta! G˙asafar 

li jbejtu f’Malta (Sultana 1999). It is also based 

on an ornithological coastal zone management 

subject plan prepared at the request of MEPA 

(Sultana & Borg 2002). 

The extensive garrigue area, the rocky 

outcrops, the rdum-type habitat, the longuncultivated 

fields, and the scattered areas of 

agricultural land found at Xag˙ra l-Óamra 

provide a good habitat for several bird species 

Sardinian Warbler male at its nest. 

Joe Sultana & John J. Borg 

representing the four categories of the avifauna 

of the Maltese Islands – breeding birds, wintering 

birds, migratory birds and vagrants. 

Seven species of birds are known to breed in the 

area. These can be separated into two categories 

– resident species, such as the Sardinian 

Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala), which is found 

all year round, and summer visitors such as 

the Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla), 

which arrives in spring, breeds in the area, and 

Short-toed Lark. 


Joe Sultana Joe Sultana

Joe Sultana 

departs in autumn. One of the resident species 

is the Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius), 

the national bird of Malta, which is often seen 

frequenting rubble walls and rocky outcrops in 

the area. The species is present all year round, 

and one can frequently see it foraging for food 

or hear the male’s melodious song particularly 

in spring while in song-flight or from an exposed 

perch. A few pairs nest along the rocky coast 

mainly in a fissure or crevice in the cliffs. Nestbuilding 

starts in March and the first young 

birds may fledge in early May. 

The Short-toed Lark (Calandrella 

brachydactyla), is a bird which inhabits the open 

tree-less countryside, frequenting agricultural 

land and areas of garrigue. It finds the perfect 

habitat at ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra. It arrives in late 

March and by the end of April it is already 

breeding in the area. It nests on the ground, 

building a nest in a small shallow hole, which the 

bird scrapes in the soil, generally in the shelter of 

a small plant, or even a stone, in the open rocky 

areas, as well as in fields, whether cultivated or 

not. Its persisting, high pitched but simple song, 

composed of a few notes, repeated over and over 

again, delivered while flying high in the air, is 

characteristic of the spring and summer days 

Spanish Sparrow male at its nest-hole. 

in the area. By the end of summer adults and 

juvenile birds congregate in flocks preparing to 

leave the area well before winter sets in. 

As expected, the area also hosts a large 

population of the commonest breeding species 

in the Maltese Islands, the ever-present Spanish 

Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis). Its breeding 

season starts in February and may continue all 

throughout spring and summer. Any spot will 

do for a nesting site – trees, electricity pylons, 

water-spouts, as well as holes and crevices in 

buildings, walls and cliffs. 

The two long-time breeding warblers of the 

Maltese Islands, the Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia 

melanocephala) and the Spectacled Warbler 

(Sylvia conspicillata), are also found all year 

round here, and in spite of having different 

habits and behaviour, both nest in the area. 

Whilst the Sardinian Warbler is a widespread 

species nesting in various types of habitats, and 

consequently the commoner of the two, the 

Spectacled Warbler, is a shy bird, and prefers 

secluded areas with low scrub. The latter was 

formerly a widespread species, but now it is 

thinly spread and confined to a few places which 

offer a quiet open countryside. Only three to five 


Joe Sultana 

Spectacled Warbler female at its nest. 

pairs have been noted at ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra in 

recent years during the breeding season. 

The Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) started 

colonising the Maltese Islands in the 1970s and 

now is a resident breeding species and quite 

widespread, including at ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra. 

It is a very small grassland bird, which builds a 

curious nest in the shape of a wide-necked bottle, 

usually well-knitted within a clump of high 

grass. In spite of being the smallest bird which 

nests locally, one cannot miss the male which 

is continuously uttering its “zip zip” call while 

patrolling its territory. The male is polygamous 

and may have more than one or two females. Up 

to 10 patrolling males have been counted in the 

area in recent years. 

Zitting Cisticola - female removing a faecal sac from the nest. 


The breeding population of the Corn 

Bunting (Emberiza calandra) has crashed in 

the Maltese islands in the past 15 years, with 

only a few pairs still breeding in Gozo and an 

even smaller number in the northern parts 

of Malta. One pair was still holding on at ix- 

Xag˙ra l-Óamra in the last five years. The use of 

pesticides, the ever-increasing leisure activities 

and presence of vehicles in the countryside, 

changes in agricultural practices, high predation 

by the Western Whipsnake and the increase of 

the rats’ population may have all contributed to 

this species’ decline. It would be most unfortunate 

if the characteristic spring song of the male is 

heard no more at ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra. 

Ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra is strategically located 

on the north-west coast of Malta, and forms 

part of a rift valley system, which includes cliffs 

and boulder screes. Given this location and 

its topography, the site receives considerable 

numbers of migratory birds of various species 

particularly during easterly winds. During 

the spring and autumn migration the area is 

important for migrants, especially for those, 

which have been brought down by adverse 

weather conditions. Such “falls” of migrant birds 

have been noted to occur here. ‘Coasting’ by 

many migrants is also noted to occur frequently 

during migration, when birds fly along the coast, 

either to shelter from winds or to settle for a rest. 

Whilst weather conditions affect the numbers of 

Joe Sultana

Joe Sultana 

Corn Bunting. 

migrants, there is always a consistent migration 

of birds through ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra both in 

spring and autumn. Although rocky ridges and 

coastal areas seem to be most favoured by bird 

species of open country, on migration all kinds 

of birds, even those which favour woodland and 

other types of habitats, are invariably recorded 

here. 

When the autumn movement of trans- 

Saharan migrants comes to an end another set 

of European birds start arriving to spend the 

winter in the area. These are the wintering birds 

which arrive in the Maltese Islands in autumn 

and depart in spring. Birds such as the White 

Wagtail (Motacilla alba), the Robin (Erithacus 

rubecula) and the Common Stonechat (Saxicola 

torqauatus), are those species, which generally 

spend the winter in the Mediterranean basin. 

These species are regularly recorded in the 

Maltese Islands and many of them stay for the 

entire winter until they return to European 

breeding grounds in March. Several species of 

wintering birds occur regularly at ix-Xag˙ra l- 

Óamra. The Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis), 

the Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), the 

Dunnock (Prunella modularis), the Blackcap 

(Sylvia atricapilla), as well as the Common 

Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) are regularly 

present in the area during the winter months, 

and on fine days they all make their presence 

seen and heard. 

The setting up of a national nature park 

at ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra, backed by a sound 

management plan, augurs well for the future of 

the avifauna of the area, particularly if the plan 

also affords full legal protection to the birdlife 

inhabiting the site. It is hoped that this project 

would safeguard the habitat of several vulnerable 

bird species, which should be provided with 

adequate protection. The safe presence of birds 

would greatly enhance this site of landscape and 

ecological importance 

References 

BORG, J.J. 2006. The Ornithology of the Coastal Zone of 

Xag˙ra l-Óamra. Management Plan. Unpublished report 

commissioned by MEPA. 

SULTANA, J. & GAUCI, C. 1982. A new Guide to the Birds 

of Malta. The Ornithological Society, Valletta. 

SULTANA, J. 1999. Bil-Bejta! G˙asafar li jbejtu f’Malta. 

BirdLife Malta, Ta’ Xbiex. 

SULTANA, J. & BORG, J.J. 2002. Coastal Zone Management 

Plan – Ornithology. Unpublished report commissioned 

by MEPA. 


disCovEring CUltUral HEritagE 

AT ThE MAJJISTRAL PARK 

Malta is one of the most densely populated 

countries in Europe. It is increasingly being built 

up, covered with concrete and stone or plastered 

in tarmac, and in recent decades our open spaces 

have shrunk at an alarming rate. It is vital, 

therefore, that certain sections of the remaining 

countryside, such as the Majjistral Park, are 

preserved in as natural a state as possible, strictly 

designated as zones in which any further human 

intervention is ruled out, and that a concerted 

effort is made to rehabilitate areas within these 

zones which have become degraded. 

Here people are able to enjoy open spaces, 

to walk and ramble, cycle, enjoy the fresh air 

and learn about nature, and perhaps even feel 

a sense of ‘wilderness’ – a feeling which has 

become so rare to come across on our islands 

that I am sure that many of our children have 

never experienced it. 

Immersed in the beauty of nature, one is 

encouraged to relax and leave mundane routine 

View from Ta’ Ciantar. 

Petra Bianchi 


Trapping site being reclaimed back by nature’s bindweed. 


Annalise Falzon



Experiencing the open spaces. 

and cares behind, and to begin to sense the slow 

movement of time. Repeated visits help create 

an understanding of the effect that the passing 

of the seasons has on the landscape, and the 

age and splendour of the ancient earth around 

us. 

Our national identity is partly dependent on 

sharing, in our national consciousness, the vision 

and appreciation of a familiar and unchanging 

natural setting and terrain. Changes in our 

urban landscape are taking place so rapidly, that 

the dwindling and fading countryside is playing 

an ever more central and necessary role in our 

self-perception. 

In truth, it is hard to find any corner of our 

natural landscape which has not been modified 

Country paths. 

Old cistern. 

Dry stone wall and archway at Rdum Majjiesa. 

Old stone stairways down to the Rdum. 




Annalise Falzon


Hypogeum reused as animal pens. 

in some way by human hands. Embedded in 

every crack and fissure, there are strata of human 

history going back years, if not centuries. As 

people move through the landscape, or interact 

in some way with the countryside, they leave the 

traces of their traditions and activities behind 

them. 

The past traditions and activities of the 

landscape enrich our understanding of both the 

cultural history and the natural topography of 

the area. While any further new interventions 

in the Majjistral Park must now be excluded 

and various areas rehabilitated, however some 

of the existing cultural and rural features 

within the park should be preserved and 

appreciated. 

Various features of cultural interest that merit 

conservation lie within the boundaries of the Park. 

These features include cart-ruts, long rubble 

walls (dry stone walls), small old farmhouses, sets 

of beehives, tombs dating to the Classical period, 

natural caves, and numerous corbelled stone 

huts (giren in Maltese) traditionally used for both 

storage and shelter, all of which lie within and 

around the Park. 

There are also notable remains of British 

military architecture in the area, mainly dating 


Dry stone walls. 

Cart ruts towards Manikata. 

to the early twentieth century. Two large sets 

of military barracks used during the British 

period lie just outside the present confines of 

the Park, which were used for military exercises 

and training. A military shooting range also 

exists within the Park. 

A camouflaged Second World War pillbox 

exists near the Manikata area, and there is 

another in the G˙ajn Ûnuber area. During the 


Annalise Falzon



Farmhouse complex and ancient hypogeum nearby. 

An old L shaped farmhouse with animal pens. 

Entrenchment and coastal towers in the background. 

First World War, wounded soldiers from the 

Battle of the Dardanelles (Battle of Gallipoli) 

were brought to a large hospital camp erected in 

the vicinity of the sandy beach for a quiet period 

of convalescence. 

Remains of cart-ruts (man-made grooves cut 

or worn into the natural rock), ancient stone 

quarries and megalithic walls also lie behind 

the interesting modern church in the village 

of Manikata, which was built in the early 1970s 


Annalise Falzon



Military training ranges dating to the late British period. 

by the well-known architect Richard England. 

Undated cart-ruts also exist in other areas of the 

Xag˙ra l-Óamra plateau. 

On the two sides of the valley overlooking 

Golden Bay (ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa), there are 

entrenchments built as part of a coastal defence 

system during the period of the Knights of St. 

John, in the early eighteenth century. 

The Majjistral Park lies along the coast, 

and is characterised by a rocky coastline which 

provides a rugged and steep interface between 

the land and sea, as well as the popular sandy 

beach ‘Golden Bay’. The coastline is a precious 

resource for a variety of marine-related activities, 

including tourism and recreation. 

The Park contains farmed agricultural land as 

well as an open garigue landscape with extremely 

high exposure to the strong elements of sun, sea 

and wind that prevail along the coast, reflected 

in the diverse varieties of hardy flora and fauna 

which survive in these harsh conditions. 


A wartime pillbox partially hidden in grass. 

The agricultural element is still widespread. A concrete pillbox. 

One of the many wartime gunposts. 

The cultural features of the area are intimately 

linked to the geographical landscape and terrain 

in which they are situated. The historian Fernand 

Braudel was among the first to emphasise that 

human history is intimately linked to geographical 

space, and that man’s relationship with the 

environment is central to the understanding of 

the unique social history of a place. 

Annalise Falzon Annalise Falzon Annalise Falzon

Michael Falzon 

tHE girna: tHE MaltEsE 

CorbEllEd stonE HUt 

Girna (pl. giren or grieni) is the local name 

given to the corbelled stone huts which one 

comes across when walking in the countryside. 

These structures are much more common in 

the north and northwest of Malta; in the south 

and east of the island, as well as in Gozo, the 

girna rarely makes an appearance. The largest 

concentration of giren is probably that found in 

the area bounded by the Red Tower, Çirkewwa 

and L-A˙rax tal-Mellie˙a; the next largest is 

found in the area of G˙ajn Ûnuber, Il-Manikata 

and Ix-Xag˙ra l-Óamra. 

The girna is typically built on an outcrop of 

solid rock and is constructed with undressed 

stone found in the vicinity. No binding with 

mortar is used for the walls while the roof is 

An example of a round girna. 

Prof. Joseph M. Falzon 

usually covered with small stones, rubble and 

soil occasionally bound with ground potsherd 

known as diffun. 

The method of construction is that known as 

corbelling which is achieved by stacking rocks in 

circular courses, each course becoming smaller 

as it inches inward until it all comes together at 

the top, close enough to be topped by one or two 

large flat stones. 

Corbelling was probably the first solution to 

the problem of putting a permanent roof over 

a space, preceding the true arch by more than 

two thousand years. 

Most giren have a circular ground plan but 


Michael Falzon 


Girna interior showing corbelling. 

An example of a rectangular girna. 

one occasionally comes across a girna with a 

rectangular or square floor plan. The internal 

diameter of the round girna is rarely over 2.5m; 

the length and width of the rectangular girna 

only infrequently exceed 2.5m. 

The smallest girna recorded by Fsadni (1992) 

has a diameter of just over one metre while the 

largest measures just under five metres across. 

The latter apparently was never completed; 

perhaps the corbelling technique does not 

permit the bridging of such dimensions. 

In the old days the girna provided space for 

storing farm implements and shelter from the 

elements for farmer or goatherd. Some of the 

more sophisticated giren have niches, mangers 

and cupboard-like recesses in the wall. 

The large majority of giren are round and 

externally present as truncated cones. 

This particular shape is probably the oldest 

and goes back at least to the Bronze Age. Some 

archaeologists have argued that the Mnajdra 

temples show evidence of the use of the corbelling 

technique of roofing over a space. The technique 

is also observed abroad in other stone structures 




of the Bronze Age as for instance in the nuraghe 

of Sardinia. 

The rectangular giren appear to be derived 

from the original round ones; internally they are 

interesting in the way that the square ground 

plan rises course over course evolving into a 

rounded dome. The larger giren have a double 

wall each made of larger stones with an infilling 

of rubble, soil and small stones. A number of 

the larger giren are ringed with a third wall 

used to buttress walls which could have shown 

an indication of possible collapse. There are 

two examples of such buttressing at Xag˙ra l- 

Óamra. 

Dating these structures presents problems as 

the method of construction has been virtually 

unchanged over thousands of years: some of 

those still standing could go back to prehistoric 

Square girna with massive cornerstones. 

times while according to Fsadni (1992) some 

were erected in the twentieth century, one as 

late as 1974 (p. 64). 

References 

FSADNI, MICHAEL O.P. The Girna: The Maltese Corbelled 

Stone Hut, Dominican Publications, Malta, 1992. 

CASSAR, PAUL. The corbelled stone huts of the Maltese 

Islands, in Man, April 1961. 

An example of buttressing. Girna interior showing capstone. 


Annalise Falzon

tHE Coastal and MarinE EnvironMEnt 

Despite having an area of just 2.6km 2 , which 

pales when compared with other European parks, 

the Majjistral Park in the northwest of Malta 

boasts a total coastline length of approximately 

10km, which is equivalent to almost 4% of the 

total coastline of the Maltese Islands. Needless 

to say, therefore, the coastal environment merits 

a place in the limelight when describing the 

natural assets of the area. 

Most of the coastal area of the park (with the 

exception of the northernmost and southernmost 

fringes of the park) is dominated by rugged 

boulder screes, which owe their formation to 

the friable nature of Greensand (Rina) which is 

eroded, thus placing overlying rock formations 

(Upper Coralline Limestone – Qawwi ta’ Fuq) 

in jeopardy due to a lack of support. The UCL 

consequently tumbles down the cliff face, forming 

an impenetrable mosaic of boulders, some of 

which are bathed in seawater. Especially aweinspiring 

are the majestic boulders at Rdum id- 

Ramla tal-Mixquqa is an example of a pocket sandy beach. 

Dr. Alan Deidun 

Delli, where the process of boulder detachment 

is so extensive that wide gashes in the cliff face 

can be encountered. 

As a result of the shelter and relative 

inaccessibility from human disturbance that 

boulder screes offer, this specialized, minor (since 

not forming part of the sclerophyll successional 

series, such as steppe and garigue) habitat acts as 

an important refuge for many floral and faunal 

species, including many endemics. The elusive 

Blue Rock Thrush (Merill) is often observed 

ensconced amongst boulders. The overlying 

cliffs also support a diverse rupestral assemblage, 

despite the minimal amount of soil and the low 

nutrient levels that they present, with most of 

the local endemics finding their last foothold in 

such assemblages, presumably due to the lack of 

competition from other genres of species. Due 

to the high degree of exposure to wave action 

that rupestral assemblages are subjected to, 

most of the plants they harbour are halophytes 


Dr Alan Deidun

Dr Alan Deidun 

Spanish Golden Thistle. 

and can withstand high salt loads, besides being 

able to conserve water, and are typical of coastal 

garigue areas. Examples of endemic plants one 

may encounter along the park’s cliffs include 

the Maltese Cliff Orache (Bjanka ta’ l-Irdum), 

Maltese Fleabane (Tulliera Selva©©a), Maltese 

Salt-Tree (Xebb) and Maltese Sea-Lavender 

(Limonju ta’ Malta), which mingle with more 

opportunistic species such as the Caper (Kappar) 

and the species of snapdragons (Papoççi). 

The Majjistral Park also nurtures a pocket 

sandy beach – that of Ramla tal-Mixquqa. Pocket 

beaches are typically flanked by headlands on both 

sides, which restricts longshore currents and the 

exchange of sediment and biota from one beach 

to another, and by their limited dimensions. The 

coastal geomorphology of the Maltese Islands is 

anomalous in that, whilst estimates of the global 

coastal extent of sandy areas range from 20% 

(Finkl, 2004) to 75% (Bascom, 1980), just 2.4% 

of the coastline of the Maltese Islands is sandy 

(Schembri, 1991). 

The beach is backed by dune remnants, which 

have been listed by Schembri (1991) as one of 

only five localities which supported dunes with 

a relatively intact characteristic dune vegetation 

community. In spite of this, the remnants show 

extensive symptoms of human degradation, 

ranging from trampling by occasional bathers 

seeking refuge from the sun, dumping of waste 

and the consequential spread of opportunistic/ 

ruderal species such as the Giant Reed (Qasba) 

and the Hottentot Fig (Swaba tal-Madonna). 

Frequently encountered dunal plants on site 

include: Maritime Sea-Rocket (Kromb il-Ba˙ar), 

Sea Daffodil (Pankrazju) with its dazzling, 

unsullen-white flowers and distinct charcoal-like 

seeds, Spanish Edible Thistle (Xewk Isfar tar- 

Ramel), Sand Dropseed (Ni©em tar-Ramel), Sand 

Couch (Sikrana tar-Ramel) and Mediterranean 

Stocks (GiΩi tal-Ba˙ar) with their compelling 

deep purple flowers which have been extirpated 

from many other dunal areas. Cassar & Stevens 

(2002) assign the dune remnants at Ramla tal- 

Mixquqa a score of 3 for future prospects and for 

the state of the dunal vegetation on the arbitrary 

scale of 1-5 (with 1 being the lowest value and 5 

being the highest) 

Adaptations shown by dunal plants include 

the ability to withstand burial by sand, an 

extensive root/rhizome system which helps to 

stabilize the mobile sand substratum to render it 

more congenial for further vegetal colonization, 

seed dormancy and deep burial (in the form of 

tubers or bulbs) in some species, a resistance to 

a high salt load (also through the exudation of 

salt through specialized glands) and xerophytic 

The stunning Sea Daffodil (Pankrazju) flower. 


Dr Alan Deidun

features to mitigate excessive loss of precious 

water, such as a thick cuticle, leaf rolling, 

hairiness and aromaticity. 

Several studies (e.g. Deidun et al., 2003; 

Deidun & Schembri, 2005) have also hinted at 

the ecological importance of unvegetated ‘bare 

sand’ communities (i.e. those found seawards 

of dunes), with a number of psammophilic 

(sand-specific) species being recorded from 

the beach at Ramla tal-Mixquqa, despite its 

popularity with locals and tourists alike during 

the bathing season. Some of these species are 

endemic ones, including the tenebrionid beetle 

Pseudoseriscius cameroni, which is even listed and 

protected under Annex II of the EU’s Habitats 

Directive. The resilience of these species can be 

attributed to their many adaptations, namely 

their nocturnal habit, their cryptic colouration, 

their polyphagous nature (i.e. their ability to 

exploit different food resources) and their 

ability to burrow, even to great depths, within 

the sand. 

The beach at Ramla tal-Mixquqa is also 

embellished with a small patch of shingle at one 

The rugged Rdum id-Delli stretch. 

end – conservation importance of such cobble 

beach pockets, which harbour their own distinct 

faunal assemblages, has been highlighted in the 

study by Gauci et al. (2005). Considerable seagrass 

amounts are beached at Ramla tal-Mixquqa – 

such wrack forms extensive accumulations 

known as banquettes, whose ecological 

significance cannot be gainsaid. In fact, such 

accumulations help fight beach erosion by 

trapping sand beneath them, are a useful source 

of organic input to the beach, may relay floral 

and faunal species from one beach to another 

through the phenomenon of rafting and harbour 

a disntinct suite of stenoecious (narrow-range) 

species, such as different species of wrack flies 

(some of which are endemic), centipedes and 

millipedes. Banquette assemblages have also 

been studied locally (Saliba, 2004). 

In view of the manifold ecological assets of the 

park’s coastal area, it is hardly surprising that the 

same area is peppered with scheduled sites – to 

mention just the most emblematic, the cliffs from 

Ramla tal-Mixquqa to il-Prajjiet are scheduled 

at Level 2 as an Area of Ecological Importance 

(AEI) by virtue of Government Notice 400/96 


Dr Alan Deidun

Dr Alan Deidun 

The Star Coral - one of the many protected marine species. 

which schedules the entire western cliff flank of 

Malta from BirΩebbu©a to Mellie˙a. In addition, 

the sand dune remnants at il-Bajja tal-Mixquqa 

are also scheduled at Level 1 as an AEI and an 

SSI (Site of Scientific Importance) by virtue of 

GN 401/96. 

The marine area off the lower fringes of the 

park (to the south of Xag˙ra tal-Majjiesa) have 

been designated as part of the Rdum Majjiesa- 

Ras ir-Ra˙eb Marine Protected Area (MPA). 

The area was earmarked for the establishment 

of an MPA as it ‘is a representative of all major 

marine habitats and seascapes around the 

Maltese Islands’. In fact, within the precinct of 

the MPA, one can encounter a mosaic of the 

following marine habitats/biotopes: Posidonia 

oceanica (Neptune Grass) meadows, sandbanks, 

reefs Posidonia beds intermingled with patches of 

reefs and submerged or partially submerged sea 

caves. The seabed’s and substratum topologies 

are also highly diverse, with the gently-sloping 

seabed giving way to sheer drop-offs in other 

regions of the MPA, whilst a composite of 

different sediment grains sizes, ranging from 

mud to cobble, blanket the sea bottom. 

Besides the iconic Posidonia oceanica, the MPA’s 

precincts also feature a number of other protected 

species, including the Date Mussel (Tamra), the 

Noble Pen Shell (Nakkra), the Star Coral 

(Qroll tad-Dell) and different Sea fir species 

(Çistosejri). The conservation importance of 

the marine environment off the Majistral Park is 

underpinned through the inclusion, during the 

MPA’s zonation exercise, of an ‘Entry No Take 

Zone’, just to the north of Ramla tal-Mixquqa, for 

which free access is permitted for low-intensity, 

non-deleterious human activities, whilst the 

taking of species from the area is prohibited. 

References 

BASCOM, W. 1980. Waves and beaches. Anchor Press/ 

Doubleday Publishing. New York, USA: 366pp. 

CASSAR, L., & STEVENS, D. 2002. Coastal sand dunes under 

siege, A guide to conservation for environmental managers. 

International Environment Institute. Foundation for 

International Studies. Valletta, Malta: 194pp. 

DEIDUN, A., AZZOPARDI, M., SALIBA, S. & SCHEMBRI, 

P.J. 2003. Low faunal diversity on Maltese sandy 

beaches: fact or artefact? Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf 

Science 58: 83-92. 

DEIDUN, A. & SCHEMBRI, P.J. 2005. The composition of 

the nocturnal motile fauna from the upper infralittoral 

fringe of sandy beaches in the Central Mediterranean: 

are there any implications for conservation? Biologia 

Marina Mediterranea 13 (1): 355 – 363. 

FINKL, C.W. 2004. Coastal classification: systematic 

approaches to consider in the development of a 

comprehensive scheme. Journal of Coastal Research 20 

(1): 166-213. 

GAUCI, M., DEIDUN, A. & SCHEMBRI, P.J., 2005. 

Faunistic diversity of Maltese pocket sandy and shingle 

beaches: are these of conservation value?, Oceanologia 27 

(2): 219-241. 

SALIBA, S. 2004. Aspects of the ecology of the faunal 

assemblages associated with wrack stranded on the Maltese 

shores. Unpublished MSc dissertation. University of 

Malta: 206pp. 

SCHEMBRI, P.J. 1991. Report of Survey: National Resources; 

Malta Structure Plan, Technical Report No. 5.4: vii + 

138pp. 


gEoMorPHiC ProCEssEs at 

IL-MAJJISTRAL PARK AND ITS ENvIRONS 

Avertano Rolé, Geography Dept. University of Malta 

avertano.role@um.edu.mt 

The newly designated Majjistral Park 

possesses a strikingly bare landscape which 

offers several opportunities for the observation 

of geomorphic processes. This landscape is quite 

varied but can be conveniently subdivided into 

three distinct units: a series of dissected Upper 

Coralline Limestone platforms, a coastal slope 

dominated by rock sliding processes, and two 

bays located at the northern and southernmost 

extremities of the park precincts. The severely 

indented character of the Park boundary is, 

unfortunately, not conducive to a holistic 

treatment of its geomorphology. For this reason, 

this article may consider processes which extend 

onto areas which are contiguous with the park. 

Geological Structure of the Majjistral Area: 

The most common surface rock exposed at the 

Majjistral site is the Upper Coralline Limestone. 

Geomorphology and geological structure at Il-Majjistral. 

This is largely characterised by an outcrop of 

Tal-Pitkal Member of this particular formation. 

Such a lithology makes up the flat, tilted 

platforms which dip towards the northeast. This 

geological formation is characterised by a dense 

crystalline limestone which is heavily jointed in 

most places. It weathers into typical limestone 

pavements interspersed with irregularly 

shaped depressions formed by solution. The 

accumulation of regolith in such depressions 

eventually develops into Terra Rossa soils and 

this accelerates solution since biological activity 

creates mildly acidic conditions in these hollows. 

Therefore, the dominating geomorphic process 

of such limestone platforms is typically karstic. It 

is interesting to note that the reddish tinge of the 

rocks in this area is due to the relatively higher 

content of iron oxide in the rock formation. 

Probably the most significant process in 

shaping Maltese landscapes is block faulting 



Typical limestone pavement developed over an Upper Coralline 

Limestone surface. Solution by rainwater produces depressions 

which are filled by poorly-developed Terra Rossa soils. 

and folding and this site is no exception. Much 

of the geological structure of the area owes its 

origins to block faulting and synclinal folding. 

This has created a series of horst and graben 

structures (ridges and troughs respectively) 

which extend north-eastwards from the park 

territory. The southern extremity of the park, 

composed of Golden Bay (Ramla tal-Mixquqa) 

is the westernmost extension of the graben 

structure which is better known as Pwales Valley. 

Further north, the Xag˙ra l-Óamra area is a 

western extension of Bajda Ridge. This, in turn, 

is separated from Mellie˙a Ridge by the western 

extension of the MiΩieb syncline. The net result 

of all this is a pleasantly undulating landscape of 

ridges and troughs. 

Faulting reveals some of the stratigraphic 

sequence which underlies the upper coralline 

formation and this is most evident along 

the coastal slope which forms the western 

margins of the park. Immediately below the 

Upper Coralline limestone formation, a very 

thin, discontinuous layer of greensand and 

foraminiferal packstone is often encountered 1 . 

This rarely reaches more than one metre in 

thickness but it plays an important geomorphic 

role since it weathers very easily. It is often at this 

Blue Clay is exposed along much of the shoreline. This rock is easily 

eroded and is often sparsely vegetated thus forming characteristic 

talus. 

elevation that the Upper Coralline limestone 

is undercut. Immediately below this layer, the 

Blue Clay formation outcrops almost the entire 

length of the coastal strip and forms distinctive 

clay slopes with their characteristic talus. The 

upper globigerina formation outcrops along a 

narrow littoral strip and at a lower elevation 

than the Blue Clay. 

Geomorphic Processes 

Geomorphology is the study of the processes 

which shape landscapes and such processes are 

starkly revealed at the Majjistral Park. Some 

of the more prominent processes are briefly 

discussed below: 

1. Cliff retreat: The western perimeter of the 

Xag˙ra l-Óamra platform ends quite abruptly 

and forms steep cliffs. This is partly due to 

the dense crystalline nature of the Tal-Pitkal 

member, which renders it relatively resistant to 

surface erosion, but this type of Upper Coralline 

Limestone, is locally weakened by deep joints. 

Regolith and incipient soils tend to accumulate 

in such joints and the subsequent growth of 

vegetation further contributes to widening of 


Annalise Falzon


Block sliding along the Majjistral coast. Erosion of the upper 

coralline limestone can easily be seen in this photo. Whole sections 

of this formation have been detached from the plateau and are now 

sliding downslope to the shoreline. This is a typical Rdum shoreline. 

the joint. This process is accelerated by the 

undercutting of the softer underlying lithologies 

(including clay, greensands, and foraminiferal 

packstones) which destabilises the cliff face 

by reducing sheering stress. Eventually, large 

blocks detach and separate from the main rock 

body, sliding down towards the shoreline. 

2. Mass Movement – Block sliding: This process 

is closely linked with the process of cliff retreat 

discussed above. Once blocks of upper coralline 

limestone are detached, they are transported 

downslope by gravity. This process is greatly 

facilitated by the fact that the slopes are 

largely composed of clay and, when wetted by 

occasional rainstorms, these act as lubricated 

surfaces. Another factor which is important in 

such areas is that steep clay slopes are often 

sparsely vegetated and, therefore, there is little 

material along the slope to provide friction. Such 

slopes can be regarded as a slow, “geomorphic 

conveyor belt”, by which large boulders of upper 

coralline limestone are carried to the sea and 

form impressive boulder screes which extend 

right across the shoreline. This type of coastline is 

called Rdum in Malta and is quite common along 

this stretch of the coast; hence Rdum id-Delli and 

Rdum Majjiesa. The deposition of such boulders 

at the shoreline affords effective protection from 

wave action and serves to protect the shoreline 

from marine erosion. 

3. Cave Collapse and Circular Embayments: 

As in all other Karstic environments, Maltese 

geomorphology is influenced by solution 

features and collapse structures. These occur 

when rainwater dissolves the calcium carbonate 

contained in limestones and creates voids in the 

The deposition of boulders, along clay and globigerina shorelines, affords some protection to such friable coastlines from marine erosion. 


Avertano Rolé

Avertano Rolé 

Semi-circular indentations of the cliff-line often form through cave development and collapse. 

Shoreline cave development is evident on the left side of the photo. 

rock body. Caves eventually form by the widening 

of joints and the joining of anastamosing 

channels formed along bedding planes or 

other forms of weakness. Cave formation is 

largely dictated by groundwater hydrology and 

the presence of a perched aquifer in the area 

has contributed significantly to the formation 

of solution features. In several instances, the 

development of springs above an impermeable 

layer of clay accelerates undercutting of the 

upper coralline platform and contributes to 

cliff retreat. This often results in semi-circular 

indentations of the cliff line. At sea level, caves 

also form by a combination of factors including 

chemical weathering at the mean sea-level water 

table, as well as wave action. This produces 

semi-circular coves which are very common 

along this stretch of the coastline. 

4. Sediment Accumulation in Bays: The only 

significant sandy bay within the precincts of the 

park is Golden Bay (Ramla tal-Mixquqa). The 

location of the bay and the nature of its sediment 

indicate that the sandy beach originated from a 

mixture of terrestrial sediments and re-worked 

marine sands. Sandy bays are highly dynamic 

geomorphic systems and need to be appreciated 

as representing a dynamic equilibrium between 

fluvial, marine, and aeolian processes. Any 

one of these processes can dominate during 

particular episodes; like during a period of 

prolonged rainfall when large quantities of 

sediment are washed down into the bay. On the 

other hand, some factors play a stabilising role in 

such systems; dune vegetation assemblages play 

an important role in stabilising sand transport. 

In fact, Golden Bay possesses a relatively welldeveloped 

dune system and this requires careful 

management in order to ensure its survival while 

meeting the needs of recreational activity. 

This short discussion highlights the fact that, 

despite its small size, the Majjistral Park exhibits 

several examples of geomorphic processes. A 

deeper understanding of such processes should 

lead to a greater appreciation of the park by 

the general public. At the same time, such 

understanding should permit the continued 

development of more sensitive and sustainable 

managerial policies. 



Endnotes 

Ramla tal-Mixquqa (Golden Bay) forms the southern extension of the Majjistral Park. Intensive tourist, recreational, 

and agricultural development near this bay exerts considerable pressure on the natural environment. 

1. The revised geological map of Malta (OPM 1993) places 

the greensand layer within the G˙ajn Melel member 

of the Upper Coralline Limestone formation because 

of its patchy distribution and shallow thickness. One 

has to appreciate the dilemma faced by geologists 

when mapping sequences. Maps are two-dimensional 

surfaces while stratigraphic sequences are three- 

The widening of a joint (extreme left of the picture) leads to block 

detachment from the Upper Coralline limestone platform and 

incipient block sliding. The juxtaposition of these blocks often 

forms small tunnels, or caves, which afford particularly rare 

habitats for wildlife. 

dimensional phenomena. It is very difficult to represent 

a geostratigraphic layer on a map when it has been 

eroded into a cave-like structure and is overtopped by 

an Upper Coralline Limestone caprock. 

Fragment of a Clypeaster sea urchin fossil. These occur frequently 

within the Greensand formation and indicate that the sedimentary 

environment of this formation was a shallow sea prone to marine 

erosive processes. 


Avertano Rolé Annalise Falzon

Custom Aerial Photos 

WindoWs to tHE nortH WEst 

When Peter the Great developed his vision 

for Russia he turned to the Western model of a 

modern state as a source of inspiration, opening 

a window to the West, and took his country out 

of isolation and into a new era. 

Malta’s entry into Europe is a similar 

experience, yet integration is work in progress, 

relying not only on an injection of foreign funds 

and harmonisation of European laws, but on a 

clear vision for a healthier and more holistic 

society in our times. 

The launch of Il-Majjistral, Malta’s first 

Nature and History Park, is a keystone to such 

a vision. The whole of the park is far greater 

than the sum of its parts, because it constitutes 

a breakthrough in the coastal management of 

our islands. 

Following in the wake of earlier projects 

run by NGO’s, like the wetlands at G˙adira by 

Birdlife, G˙ajn Tuffie˙a by Gaia, Wied G˙ollieqa 

by Nature Trust and Torri Mamo by Din L-Art 

Another Majjistral aerial view. 

Rudolf Ragonesi 

Óelwa, this Park may well mark a turning point 

in the management of our heritage, because of 

its implications in the protection of the North 

West, as well as its potential to integrate the 

policies on environment and tourism. 

The North West coastal cliffs are the last 

frontier on the mainland, the lungs of the island 

that breathe life into so much of its natural 

heritage, while at the same time offering an 

outstanding landscape that takes your breath 

away. They are the future not only for the 

quality of life of our citizens, but also for a 

tourism industry that is growing ever more 

competitive, in a world of travellers who are ever 

more demanding and in search of wild beauty, 

history and the magnificent sea. 

Europe’s natural heritage is embodied in 

a network of ecologically valuable sites called 

Natura 2000. The coastal cliffs of the North West 

form part of this network. The establishment of 

the Majjistral Park, which borders G˙ajn Tuffie˙a 

to the South and lies close to the Foresta 2000 site 


and the Red Tower to the North, is a milestone 

in the management of the North West, and a 

stepping stone to secure the proper management 

of the entire Natura 2000 site. It was declared 

a national park in September 2007 by a legal 

notice that also constituted a management board 

composed of a chairman, government personnel 

from the Environment Ministry (MRAE), the 

Lands Department and MEPA and persons 

representing three environmental and cultural 

management NGO’s, namely, Din L-Art Óelwa, 

The Gaia Foundation and Nature Trust. The 

legal notice also called for the establishment 

of management agreements for the park. The 

official launch took place on the 27 th January, 

2008, with the signing of an agreement between 

the MRAE and MEPA on the one hand, and the 

said NGO’s on the other. The launch included 

the initial planting of indigenous trees, the 

start of guided walks on Sunday mornings, the 

publication of a nature trail brochure and a new 

website at www.majjistral.org. 

Nature tourism is the fastest growing sector 

in the industry worldwide. As people escape for 

a few days from the hustle and bustle of city 

life, they seek out a place in an idyllic setting 

to recharge their batteries and nourish their 

souls. The only way forward to a cleaner and 


greener world is to reconnect humans with 

their environment, thus increasing awareness, 

appreciation and responsibility. A successful 

national park would afford the opportunity to 

both nature and humans to flourish, to find 

their path once again. Malta relies heavily 

on its visitors, yet equally on its permanent 

inhabitants, who are regular visitors in their 

own land, on weekends, or sunny afternoons 

throughout the year. Managed well and in an 

integrated way, the Park can offer a rich choice 

of activities, from walking, horse riding, sub 

aqua, surfing, canoeing and bathing on the one 

hand to visiting places of historical, cultural and 

rural interest on the other, like towers, organic 

farms, groves and visitor centres. It is the aim of 

the managers to set a record of excellence in the 

products and services available in the Park. This 

would put il-Majjistral on the Mediterranean 

map of places of interest to the visitor. We are 

at the first step along an exciting journey that 

would take us beyond our North West frontier 

to a collective conscious awareness of nature and 

tourism being two sides of the same coin. With 

the right vision, and investment of resources, the 

standard of excellence that could be reached in 

the Majjistral Park would have repercussions 

well beyond its borders. 

Custom Aerial Photos


Manikata today 

Manikata and its rUral asPECts 

Mario Cardona 

Management Committee, Koperattiva Rurali Manikata 

Manikata is home to about 500 inhabitants, 

many of whom are full-time or part-time 

farmers whereas newcomers include people 

from different parts of the Maltese islands who 

have come to live here in search of serenity 

and beautiful surroundings. Cultivated fields 

are found in the surrounding areas known as 

il-Ìnien ta’ G˙ajn Tuffie˙a (G˙ajn Tuffie˙a 

Gardens), il-Wil©a ta’ G˙ajn Tuffie˙a (G˙ajn 

Tuffie˙a meadow), il-MiΩieb (woodland) and ix- 

Xag˙ra l-Óamra (the red garrigue). Every last 

Sunday in August the parish celebrates the feast 

of St.Joseph and on the eve the local community 

celebrates Lejla Sajfija g˙aΩ-Ûiffa, a Summer 

Breeze Night, where the villagers put their best 

talents and products on show, including songs, 

drama, paintings, hand crafts, vegetables, fruits, 

honey, wine, olive oil... 

Koperattiva Rurali Manikata (KRM) Ltd 

In July 2005 a number of local farmers and 

residents set up the Kumitat g˙all-Óarsien Rurali 

Tombs abound in the Manikata area – this one was reused as a 

wartime shelter. 

ta’ G˙ajn Tuffie˙a (Committee for the Safeguard 

of Rural Life in G˙ajn Tuffie˙a) with the aim of 

safeguarding the environment of Manikata and 

G˙ajn Tuffie˙a from ruin resulting from various 

so-called development projects. On the 24th of 

August 2007 the committee was dissolved and 

the same members set up the Koperattiva Rurali 

Manikata (KRM) Ltd. with the aim of operating 

a community project that would enable the 

general public to appreciate the natural beauty 

Ancient tombs contrast with modern buildings. Learning about the rural way of life. 



Annalise Falzon

Mario Cardona 


Locally produced marrows with flower. 

of the surroundings as well as agricultural life 

in Manikata. In March 2008 the Ministry for 

Rural Affairs and the Environment signed a 

management agreement with Koperattiva Rurali 

Manikata whereby KRM Ltd. will gradually 

restore the place called Ir-Razzett tal-Qasam. 

Reddish fertile soil. 


A beautiful large famhouse at Ir-Razzett tal-Qasam. 

This will eventually be turned into a services 

centre for the members of the cooperative as 

well as for those who visit our fields, including 

students, families and tourists. 

Note: For more info please visit our website: www.manikatafarmers.com 

Agricultural land. 


Annalise Falzon

Copyright ©: Nature Trust (Malta) 2008 

Front Cover photo: Custom Aerial Photo 

Back Cover photos: Annalise Falzon, Custom Aerial Photo, Arnold Sciberras and Joe Sultana 

Design & Layout: Kevin Azzopardi (Wise Owl Publications, Malta) in collaboration with Annalise Falzon - Nature Trust (Malta) 

Printing: Gutenberg, Malta 

Nature Trust (Malta) 

P.O. Box 9, Valletta CMR 01, Malta • Tel/Fax: 00356 21313150 

Email: info@naturetrustmalta.org • Website: www.naturetrustmalta.org

NTM Publications - UNESCO Malta

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