BirdLife Malta said today that an analysis of Raptor Camp data showed that there has been no real change in the number of illegalities recorded during this year's peak raptor migration period over last year.

It said 405 illegalities were recorded this autumn, including 83 incidents of shooting at protected birds. Illegalities were recorded in 40 of the 55 locations monitored. A further 90 protected birds with gunshot injuries were seen in flight, and 12 shot protected birds were recovered by BirdLife Malta alone.

A total of 55 migratory species were recorded through Raptor Camp, of which 33 protected species were witnessed being illegally targeted. The species targeted include common birds which migrate in large numbers, such as Barn Swallows and Bee-eaters. Even a Blue Rock Thrush, Malta's national bird, was seen in flight with gunshot damage to feathers.

The number of illegal incidents relative to the raptor migration remained constant when compared to last year, except for the number of protected birds seen with gunshot injuries in flight which increased by a drastic 280%, BirdLife said.

"We have witnessed illegal shooters targeting common protected birds, rare protected birds, illegally shooting in restricted areas and close to residences, illegally shooting at all times, using illegal weapons, and the list goes on." said Nicholas Barbara, BirdLife Malta Conservation and Policy Officer. "All this in just the small part of the countryside we are monitoring. The large number of birds seen this season with gunshot injuries in flight indicates that outside these areas the situation is likely to be much worse."

Over the course of Raptor Camp a mix of Black Storks, White Storks, Lesser Spotted Eagles, and Short-toed Eagles stopped over in Malta, numbering 19 birds in total. Raptor Camp teams witnessed four of these rare protected migrants, highly prized by illegal hunters for private collections, illegally targeted; a Black Stork was recovered dead by the ALE from Zurrieq, a Short-toed Eagle was shot down in Mtarfa, another Short-toed Eagle was shot down in the Il-Qaws area, and a Lesser Spotted Eagle in a visible roost at Wied l-Isqof disappeared after a barrage of shots were fired on it at twilight.

In all these cases nobody was apprehended and police investigations are understood to be ongoing, the NGO said.

Of the other birds, two Lesser Spotted Eagles and a White Stork are believed to have safely left the islands, while the fate of the others is unknown. Three White Storks from Hungary which were earlier reported to have safely left the islands are believed to have returned flying low and one was shot and injured. The fate of these storks is unknown.

"Whenever possible, rare protected birds are followed from their arrival until they leave the islands by BirdLife Malta and often the police. Volunteers even spend the night in their vicinity to prevent illegal shooting." said Barbara. "However, the moment these birds distance themselves from following teams they come under illegal fire. Many of the rarer birds which stop over in Malta fail to make it out alive."

The Raptor Camp was this year held between the September  14 and October 2. Evidence collected by teams of illegalities, including footage, have been passed onto the ALE to help with police investigations. A report detailing Raptor Camp conclusions will shortly be sent to local authorities and the European Commission.