Buskett
DescriptionBuskett, in Rabat, Malta is the largest woodland area in Malta and is overlooked by Verdala Palace. The Buskett Gardens are located in the fertile valley of Wied Il-Luq. They are located to the south of Rabat and just east of Dingli. The gardens are at their best in the spring but they offer shade from the harsh mid-summer sun and offer a quiet place for a walk in the winter months. Verdala Palace, an official residence of the President of Malta, is located on the edge of the Gardens. Many different trees and shrubs grow in the gardens but there are also many fruit-bearing trees as well.
Buskett with Verdala Castle Flock of Honey Buzzards and Marsh Harriers circling over Buskett
What to See
Resident and Breeding Birds: Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow.
Summer Highlights: Eleonora's Falcon(Scarce), Turtle Dove, Woodchat Shrike, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Crossbill(Rare).
Winter Highlights: Woodcock, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Redwing(Scarce), Fieldfare(Scarce), Ring Ouzel(Rare), Goldcrest, Firecrest.
Autumn Highlights: Night Heron, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, White Stork(Rare but seen yearly), Black Stork(Rare but seen yearly), Lesser Spotted Eagle(Rare but seen yearly), Short-toed Eagle(Rare but seen yearly), Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Pallid Harrier(Scarce), Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard(Scarce), Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Hobby, Eleonora's Falcon, Merlin (Scarce), Nightjar, Scops Owl, Turtle Dove, Hoopoe, Bee-Eater, Roller(Rare), Red-rumped Swallow(Scarce), Tawny Pipit, Yellow-browed Warbler(Rare), Red-breasted Flycatcher(Rare).
Spring Highlights: Night Heron, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Nightjar, Hoopoe, Bee-eater, Roller(Rare), Wryneck, Subalpine Warbler, Icterine Warbler,Pied Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Woodchat Shrike, Red-backed Shrike(Rare), Golden Oriole.
Best time to Visit
Between August and October daily observations are made by local birdwatchers who monitor the Autumn Raptor Migration. as Buskett is the largest wooded area and beacause of its high altitude, its the best place in Malta to watch Birds of Prey in Autumn. Bee-eaters are guranteed during this period at Buskett.
Spring time is also good because the berries and fruit in Buskett's trees attract a lot of fruit eating birds, such as Golden Oriole, Subalpine Warbler and more.
How to Get There
- Bus Number: 81
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