Poachers are wearing masks to avoid identification, according to the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS), which said the only way to protect finches was to close the season.

A video shot last weekend shows several Gozitan poachers with scarves over their faces, rushing out of their hides to collect live finches when they became aware that police were on their way.

CABS said that at least one of the poachers had been identified and would face trial soon, claiming that he had registered the site for capturing song thrush and golden plover but that it was being used for illegal finch trapping.

It noted that according to new regulations, if found guilty, his licence would be revoked and his equipment confiscated.

CABS volunteers reported 34 cases of illegal bird trapping to the police in the last two weeks. In 12 cases, CABS activists filmed finch-trappers red-handed and called the police.

Ten of the 19 people involved have already been identified by the police and are expected to be taken to court.

CABS also reported the locations of an additional 22 unregistered trapping sites to the police.

“Parliamentary Secretary Clint Camilleri must accept the fact that most trappers don't give a damn about his plea to follow the rules and instead continue to trap protected finches at an unprecedented scale.

“The only way to safeguard his credibility and to stop the ongoing poaching is to close the season with immediate effect,” CABS press officer Axel Hirschfeld said.