Ta' Cenc Bird Colony

A seabird sanctuary above the waves

The Ta' Cenc Cliffs are one of Malta's most important seabird breeding sites. The inaccessible cliff faces, free from land predators, offer ideal nesting conditions for several species, including Scopoli's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) and the Mediterranean storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis), an endemic subspecies of the Mediterranean region.

A spectacle at dusk

Scopoli's shearwaters are nocturnal. In the evenings, after sunset, you can hear their distinctive, almost human-like calls echoing from burrows in the cliffs. The birds return from the sea where they have been hunting all day, landing on the cliffs under cover of darkness. During the breeding season (May to October), this is an unforgettable auditory spectacle.

Conservation and threats

The entire Ta' Cenc area is protected as a Natura 2000 site and an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. The main threats are light pollution from nearby buildings (disorienting birds), invasive rat species, and illegal hunting. BirdLife Malta conducts regular population monitoring.

Practical tip: Come after sunset from May to October to hear the shearwaters. Bring a torch with a red filter (white light disorients the birds). Keep quiet and stay on the path.