Queen of the raptors

The Eleonora's falcon

Of all the birds of prey that migrate over the Maltese islands only one, the Eleonora’s falcon, deserves to be called the queen of raptors. This magnificent falcon can be migrating in Malta in both spring and autumn.

The Eleonora’s falcon is an unusual bird in more ways than one. It breeds in colonies mostly on small or uninhabited islands in the Mediterranean. Two thirds of the world population, which does not number more than 12,000 pairs, live in Greek territory. Most of the rest are found on islands off the coasts of Spain, Italy, Croatia, Corsica, Morocco and Algeria. 

Throughout most of the year, the food of the Eleonora’s consists mostly of large insects such as dragonflies but in late summer and autumn it switches to migrating small birds which it hunts as they approach the island on which it breeds. 

The Eleonora’s starts breeding very late in the season so that the hatching of the eggs coincides with the start of the autumn migration. This ensures that the young birds are most hungry during the peak migration thus ensuring a plentiful supply of food.

The Eleonora’s falcon, which in Maltese is known as bies tar-reġina, is named after Eleonora of Arborea, a Sardinian judge with a keen interest in birds. She was born in 1347 and after becoming a judge she passed legislation to protect the falcon which later was named after her.

Eleonora’s falcons also have an interesting migration. Most of the world’s population winters in Madagascar. Until recently it was believed that the migratory route was totally coastal, with birds flying south along the Suez Canal. Birds that breed in the western parts of the Mediterranean were thought to reach the Suez by flying along the North African coast. 

Recently studies involving the use of satellites to track birds on which transmitters had been attached showed that these birds actually cross through the Sahara Desert and equatorial rainforests until they reach Kenya and Mozambique a distance of 9,000km. 

This article was published in The Times on 26.09.2012

When raptors spread their wings

Honey buzzard

The autumn raptor migration is in full swing. 

Every day thousands of birds of prey start a precarious journey south to avoid the cold weather in their breeding grounds in Europe. Their routes will take them over forests, mountains lakes and rivers. 

Not being fond of wide sea crossings many will veer to the west over France, Spain and Gibraltar to cross into Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar. 

Others will take an eastern route, reaching Africa via Turkey, where they only have to cross the narrow Istanbul Strait which is also known as the Bosphorus.

Other raptors, including many birds of prey from Scandinavia, take a route directly south, flying over Italy, Sicily and over Malta and from here to North Africa.

Migrating raptors avoid wide sea crossings because when soaring, they use rising air currents, known as thermals, which form above land but not above water.

In Malta, raptors can be seen throughout September. The largest numbers arrive during the third week. The most common species are marsh harrier (bugħadam aħmar), honey buzzard (kuċċarda), hobby (seqer tal-ħannieqa) and kestrel (spanjulet). Other species are seen especially falcons such as the Eleonora’s Falcon (bies tar-reġina) as well as several species of eagle.

Watching migrating raptors can be an unforgettable experience and the beautiful thing about it is that no experience is needed to enjoy the spectacle. On good days hundreds of raptors can be seen soaring; some high and some very low. Late in the afternoon many close their wings and dive for the trees to roost. 

One of the best spots to watch the raptors is in the area just outside Buskett Gardens known as Clapham Junction.

I have watched migrating raptors in several places in Europe, Asia and Africa but up to now I have not been to a place where these majestic birds can be seen as beautifully as at Buskett. 

If Buskett and the surrounding areas continue to be strictly protected, every autumn, birders from other parts of the world will start visiting Malta specifically to watch raptors migrating over Buskett. 

This article was published in The Times on 19.09.2012