Bird watchers report illegal hunting

Hopes that a visit by an EU fact-finding mission would make hunters exercise self-restraint and stop shooting at protected species continued to fade over the past week as more illegal activities were witnessed by bird watchers in various parts of the islands.

Several golden orioles were seen being shot from various localities yesterday morning.

Two red footed falcons, lesser kestrels, a hobby and honey buzzards were seen being shot in the Dwejra, Nadur area, close to Bingemma on Saturday.

An injured lesser kestrel, with a badly ruffled wing, was seen sitting on a wire in Salina.

Birds of prey are supposed to be strictly protected species.

At Ghadira nature reserve, several wounded protected birds were found, some of which died shortly after. These included waders as well as swifts and a swallow.

A kestrel and a red-footed falcon were found injured in Mellieha. The kestrel died shortly after it was found.

On Friday, a young hunter, not older than 16 years, was spotted running in the road leading from Fgura to Cottonera and shoot at a bird perched on the only tree situated in a roundabout there.

"The incessant sound of gunfire, especially early in the morning and in the evening, shows that hunters are not shooting only at quail and turtle doves, which are the only game birds that can be shot at this time of the year," a bird watcher said.