Over 150 people from all walks of life joined BirdLife Malta's Spring Watch teams yesterday for a stroll in the countryside, this being the first spring without hunting since Malta joined the European Union in 2004.

Numerous environmental organisations joined ornithologists participating in BirdLife's Spring Watch camp for this walk, including members of the British Resident's Association, Din l-Art Helwa, Nature Trust, and the Ramblers Association. The international ornithologists are here to document migration over this two-week period as well as to report on any illegal hunting and trapping activity they witness.

In all, over 35 international participants will be joining Spring Watch, the first camp of its kind to be held in Malta at this time of the year. This camp will also see a number of Maltese participating too.

The hike on Sunday started out at the Red Tower in Mellieha and took in some of the FORESTA 2000 project, which is run by BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Helwa and the PARC Department. BirdLife Malta officials were on hand to explain interesting information on the flora and fauna that could be observed during the walk.

"This was indeed a true celebration, as many people turned up to walk through the countryside while admiring the miracle of our natural heritage undisturbed," explained Tolga Temuge, BirdLife Malta's Executive Director. "It is clear that the Maltese people truly do appreciate their wonderful environment, when given the chance. Government must put much more effort into safe-guarding what is left of the Maltese countryside for its inhabitants and visitors to the islands to be able to enjoy to the full, now and in the future," concluded Temuge.