A beautiful natural phenomenon – the flight of the Painted Lady – is taking place right now and Malta seems to be feeling its effects more than usual.

Every summer, a wave of Painted Ladies (known in Maltese as Farfett tax-Xewk), travel thousands of kilometres from North Africa to Europe, with Malta serving as an important stepping stone.

However, as local naturalist Arnold Sciberras pointed out, the sheer volume of Painted Ladies seen this season is highly unusual.

Mr Sciberras also pointed out that this year’s migration has also seen an abundance of white butterflies, particularly the Small White, which sometimes arrives alongside the migratory waves of Painted Ladies.

However, they don’t migrate every year, which makes this season particularly noteworthy for butterfly enthusiasts and naturalists alike.

He also pointed out that, in rare circumstances, Painted Lady migrations, have also been accompanied by other species, such as the Small Tortoiseshell, the Large Tortoiseshell, and the Plain Tiger.

“The exceptional numbers observed this year are likely the result of favourable breeding conditions in North Africa and southern Europe, combined with weather systems and winds that facilitated movement across the Mediterranean,” he said.

“When these factors align, Malta can experience some truly spectacular migratory events.”

“These migrations remind us that the Maltese Islands are far more than a small archipelago in the centre of the Mediterranean.”

“They are an important natural crossroads connecting Europe and Africa, serving as a temporary refuge and passage point for countless migratory organisms.”