Since the opening of the spring hunting season BirdLife Malta has been receiving regular reports of injured or dead protected birds, the conservation organisation has announced today.

Last Thursday a Common Kestrel, a protected species, with a Finnish ring was found dead in a bag hanging at the door of the SPCA in Gozo. The SPCA immediately informed the police in Gozo and BirdLife. Ornithologist Joe Sultana was also contacted to identify the ring on the Kestrel. BirdLife was informed that the bird was ringed under the ringing scheme of the Museum of Zoology in Helsinki, Finland.

Over the last 10 days three Marsh Harriers, one Swift, one Greenshank and two Common Kestrels (including the one with the Finish ring) were brought to BirdLife office or given to the police. In one incident even a dead racing pigeon with a ring showing that it was from a Club in Hamrun was brought to BirdLife. All incidents were reported to MEPA and the police.

“The numbers of the shot protected species that we know represents only the tip of the iceberg.” executive director of BirdLife Malta, Tolga Temuge said.

“With a mere 27 ALE officers in Malta and Gozo, Maltese government is claiming that it can put a clamp on illegal hunting. It is ironic to see that the Maltese government is talking about “controlling” illegal hunting while it is violating the Birds Directive by allowing hunting in spring. By allowing spring hunting of Turtle Dove and Quail in direct breach of the EU law, the Maltese government has created a blanket season for hunters to shoot protected species before they are about to reproduce in their breeding grounds in Europe. This may not be the government’s intention but it is the stark reality.” Temuge concluded.