Gozitan stork gets away after night vigil by Birdlife Malta

As the bird rested on a crane in Gozo, hunters with shotguns were seen in the street causing one resident to call the police sending one policeman supervise the bird until its departure at 09:30 this morning.

Concerns were raised by the owner of the crane who thought shots were fired at the bird also damaging the crane’s cables. The man had tried unsuccessfully to drive the bird away before nightfall and waited until sunrise to use the crane. However, the stork just balanced itself and remained on the crane to rest before departing.

MEPA officials were also present since the morning to keep an eye on the stork as scores of people came to see the bird taking photos and videos as a personal record.

The stork, which was followed by Birdlife and MEPA officials, travelled towards Munxar, Ta’ Cenc and crossed the channel to Qammiegh at safe altitude.

Fears of the bird’s return remain after reports of three other storks spotted at Mgarr in Malta a few days ago, had been shot dead on their return within limits of Hal Far.

During the past few days reports indicate a total of 14 illegal killings in the north of Malta and this included Short Toed Eagles.

It has become increasingly clear in the last weeks that in spite of declarations by the hunters' federation, hunters in general continue to hunt down protected bird.