Police 'escort' rare bird

A rare bird that stopped over in Malta on its northwards migration was saved from hunters by preventive action taken by the police administrative law enforcement unit, according to BirdLife Malta.

Last week, a Eurasian Spoonbill (Maltese paletta) landed at Ghadira nature reserve and was immediately reported to the ALE by BirdLife staff.

Within hours, ALE personnel had started a rigorous patrol of the area around the reserve and Mellieha Bay, BirdLife said.

The following day several "suspicious" cars were seen stopping on the road just outside the reserve, from where the rare bird was clearly visible. BirdLife did not publicise the protected bird's stopover.

ALE surveillance continued over the following days and on Tuesday morning the spoonbill left the reserve to continue with its journey north.

"No doubt, ALE action was instrumental in saving the bird from the bloody end suffered by the other two spoonbills in January," the organisation said.

BirdLife Malta also commended the Armed Forces of Malta for effective action that uncovered a haul of thousands of live finches when smugglers were intercepted last Saturday with a cargo of thousands of songbirds and other protected birds.