The Short-toed lark (Il-Bilbla) : Malta' s summer visitor

Abstract

When the last of the wintering birds leave Malta's shores and the spring migration, which involves thousands and thousands or· birds moving from Africa to Europe, is in full swing, the Short-toed Lark, known scientifically as Calandrella brachydactyla, arrives to take up summer residence with us. Il-Bilbla, as it is known in Maltese, prefers the open countryside and feels at home in the large rocky areas such as at L-Ahrax and Ta' Cenc, in the treeless terraced fields areas such as those surrounding Gharb and San Lawrenz, as well as in the airfields. It takes over those areas which in winter are favoured by another closely related lark - the Skylark (Alwetta).