After picking up Jeff, Rina, Jennifer, and Mike, we first headed to an open agricultural area. Here we found 4 female Red-footed Falcons feeding on insects exposed by the freshly cut wheat, joined also by a female Common Kestrel. We then headed to Buskett, where good numbers of late spring migrants were around, particularly Spotted Flycatchers and Icterine Warblers, but also a few Garden Warblers, Pied Flycatchers, Common Whitethroats, and Wood Warblers. A few Golden Orioles were also around, and we managed good views of a bright male perched up in a large pine tree. A few lingering European Robins were also around, while we also heard a European Turtle Dove.
We then headed to the Ghadira Nature Reserve managed by BirdLife Malta. Here we spotted another Pied Flycatcher and Garden Warbler. However the main attraction was the various wader species around – including Black-winged Stilts, Common Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plovers, Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stints, and Wood Sandpipers. The Wood Sandpiper in particular gave point blank views right under the bird hide, while we enjoyed good views of recently fledged Little Ringed Plovers. 2 Little Egrets were also present.
We then headed for a short walk at a coastal garrigue area. By now the wind had picked up significantly but we still managed to spot some Maltese specialities in the form of a male Blue Rock Thrush and multiple breeding Greater Short-toed Larks, and some migrant Tawny Pipits. Our final stop was at the Salina Nature Reserve, also managed by BirdLife Malta. Here, not many birds were around, nevertheless we saw 3 Sandwich Terns and 4 Black-headed Gulls, as well as another Curlew Sandpiper, a Cattle Egret and multiple Little Egrets.