Daily reports of illegal hunting as spring migration sets in
- Illegal hunting of protected species continues
- Protected birds gunned down even before the hunting season opens
- Illegal hunting starts before hunting season opens
- Illegal Hunting: “Business as usual in Malta” – Birdlife Malta
- International birdwatchers gather in Malta as Migration kicks in
- 419 shot protected birds reported to BirdLife and the NMNH
- Illegal sea-hunters kill protected Great Cormorant
- Ornithologists witness over 200 incidents of illegal hunting
- Illegal hunting continues as more protected birds are gunned down
- Birdlife office is inundated with reports of illegal shooting
- Bird “Cemetery” found in Mizieb – Birdlife Malta
- Protected birds continue to be killed at the start of the New Year – BLM
- Honey Buzzards gunned down as huge flocks arrive
- Nine shot birds recovered since Raptor Camp’s end
- Significant increase in killing of protected species
BirdLife Malta teams and members of the public are reporting increasing numbers of illegal hunting incidents to the police as the start of the spring migration brings large influxes of protected birds.
In three separate incidents at Delimara and Mizieb, BirdLife teams witnessed and reported illegal shooting at protected birds during the closed season. On the 22nd of March, over 100 Marsh Harriers roosted in Delimara. BirdLife Malta teams and ALE went to the area to monitor the situation. After nightfall, 25 shots were fired in the vicinity of the roost. The next day another large roost developed at Delimara and several gunshots were again heard after dark by BirdLife teams. Yesterday, 12 Black Kites attempted to roost in the Mizieb area. The birds were shot at as they attempted to roost at dusk. None of the birds were seen leaving the roost site this morning.
“Illegal hunters are now shooting the protected birds under cover of darkness, as seen with the Black Kites and the harriers,” stated Dr Andre Raine, BirdLife Malta’s Conservation Manager.
BirdLife Malta also received five shot protected species during the past week and a half. These included a Hoopoe, a Cory’s Shearwater, a Grey Heron and a Purple Heron, which is a species of Conservation Concern in Europe (1). This morning a shot Marsh Harrier was also brought to birdlife from Gozo. All incidents were reported to ALE, MEPA and the Office of the Prime Minister.
“It is clear that the resources available to the ALE are insufficient, while the courts continue to give convicted criminals small fines in many cases. Unless the government takes this issue seriously, the problem will repeat itself throughout Malta every spring and autumn” concluded Dr Raine.
In keeping with Malta’s critical importance as a resting and re-fuelling area for migratory birds on the European-African migratory flyway, 72 migratory species have been recorded by BirdLife Malta since the beginning of March, including raptors and herons, as well as a large flock of Common Crane and a colour-ringed Spoonbill from Italy.
1. The Purple Heron is listed as a Species of Conservation Concern in Europe, due to its declining populations. Status based on ‘Birds in Europe : Population estimates, trends and conservation status’. BirdLife International (2004).
Photograph:
Shown on the left is a Hoopoe, which is one of the shot protected birds received by BirdLife Malta over the past few days. Photo by BirdLife Malta.On the right is the Purple Heron, which is a species of Conservation Concern in Europe. This individual was received with extensive gunshot injuries to the wing. Photo by BirdLife Malta.
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