More protected birds recovered by BirdLife

BirdLife Malta said it had recovered five shot protected birds over the past 48 hours, bringing the total number of protected birds recovered since the start of this year’s spring hunting season on 13 April up to 12.

“This is almost equal to the number of shot protected birds received by BirdLife Malta during the same time periods in 2008, 2009 and 2010 when a combined total of 13 shot protected birds were recovered,” BLM said.

One of the birds received by the organisation, a Purple Heron, was recovered by a member of the public who was asked to give the bird to individuals to be stuffed and mounted.  This person refused and instead handed the bird over to BirdLife Malta.

The bird received veterinary care and one of its legs, which was broken beyond recovery by gunshot, has been amputated. The bird has however been given the go-ahead for release by the vet, which took place this afternoon at the Simar Nature Reserve.

The other birds recovered are a Black Kite, a Common Kestrel, a Cuckoo and a Racing Pigeon. 

Black Kites and Purple Herons are both species of conservation concern in Europe and therefore offered the highest level of protection, being listed under Annex 1 of the Birds Directive. These birds are also highly prized by illegal hunters for inclusion in collections of stuffed protected birds.

Apart from rare species which are highly prized by illegal hunters, BirdLife Malta has also received shot protected birds of commoner species, such as Common Kestrel and Marsh Harrier.

“In 13 days during the hunting season this year we have recovered almost as many shot protected birds as during the same time period for the past three years combined,” Geoffrey Saliba, BirdLife campaigns coordinator said.

“The only difference between this period and the past three spring seasons is a special spring hunting season opened by the government through a derogation.”