Ghadira Nature Reserve is located in Mellieha, adjacent to Malta’s most sought-after sandy beach, Mellieha Bay. The site has significant ecological importance since it encircles wetland and saltmarsh areas, two habitats which are quite scarce in the Maltese Islands. The 6-hectare Nature Reserve offers a haven for birds that are migrating seasonally, and hosts a range of flora and fauna species, some of which are rare and under special protection by the authorities. The site was acknowledged as a bird sanctuary in 1978, and it is open to the public from November to May, when volunteers from the Birdlife organization will guide you along the nature trail.