For us, another aim is to try build up the tree and shrub numbers on the driest, stone-filled parts of our fields, which have just a thin layer of poor, fast draining soil, covering a limestone bedrock.So far, we have planted Wild Honeysuckle, Cistus, Myrtle (known as Rihan in Maltese – and the neighbouring valley is called Wied il-Rihan), the ornamental Phlomis fruticosa and Lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus).
We have also planted more loquat (naspli) trees, as well as some more young olive trees, using Coradina and Cipressino varieties. What is left of last season’s olives on the older, established trees are currently being enjoyed by migratory flocks of starlings. We have placed several water bowls on the rubble wall tops nearby, which are much used by White Wagtails, Sardinian Warblers, Robins, Redstarts and Spanish Sparrows as well as visiting honeybees on warmer, drier days.
