The four season of a conservationist

Abstract

Spring in Malta starts somewhat earlier than it does in the more northerly regions of Europe. The first tiny flowers bloom in February and a general awakening of Nature happens in a rising crescendo throughout the month of March; the country rambler may be suddenly surprised by a migrating wave of butterflies sweeping majestically in a long straddling line across the fields. Birds are far more plentiful, flocks of linnets abound (and so does their trapping), swallows and martins glide in the shallow depressions of our valleys and the waders are far more evident. But the more significant change is the sudden burst into song of the passerines, especially by warblers, the blue reck thrush and the corn bunting.