In Malta, raptors can be seen throughout September. The largest numbers arrive during the third week. The most common species are the marsh harrier (bugħadam aħmar), the honey buzzard (kuċċarda), the hobby (seqer tal-ħannieqa) and the kestrel (spanjulett). Other species include falcons such as the Eleonora’s Falcon (bies tar-reġina) as well as several species of eagle..
Raptors generally avoid sea crossings since they depend on rising air currents known as thermals to soar; these are found above land but not above water. However, Malta still gets its fair share of migrant birds, since many birds from Scandinavia fly over Malta and onto North Africa.
The best location to witness such a memorable experience of watching migrating raptors (in their hundreds on good days), would be in an area known as Clapham Junction, just outsode Buskett Gardens.