Hunters take advantage of inclement weather

The hunting season for birds from land officially opens tomorrow but many hunters, encouraged by inclement weather that invariably grounds migratory birds, were out in force yesterday as police patrols were conspicuous by their absence.

Sources said police officers from the administrative law enforcement unit were detailed to carry out routine beach and other patrols that are not directly aimed at curbing illegal hunting. However, in Mizieb and Dwejra on Monday and yesterday afternoon, six hunters were apprehended after they were allegedly spotted shooting at birds.

Monitoring illegal bird hunting in summer is a nightmare for the police as hunters can shoot rabbits at this time of the year and the officers have, therefore, to witness a hunter shooting birds in order to be able to book him.

Large numbers of night herons were reported being shot at in various parts of Malta and Gozo yesterday morning.

Flocks of night herons, grey herons and purple herons were seen in various parts of the island. The flocks ranged in numbers from 10 to 40 birds and many were decimated as they sought places where to rest in several localities, bird watchers reported.

A flock of 10 night herons was seen being shot at close to the Addolorata cemetery. Others were seen being shot in Dingli, L-Iklin, Dwejra, Bingemma, Salina and Delimara.

Night herons are sitting targets both because they are rather large, with a wing span exceeding one metre, and also because they are rather slow flyers. They have the habit of continuing to circle over the same area when individuals from the flock are shot down.

A bird watcher who was close to the Imriehel bypass saw a total of 165 night herons and small flocks of grey and purple herons and counted 200 shots between dawn and about 7.30 a.m.

Some of the herons flying overhead could be seen sporting evidence of being shot at. Some had missing or broken wing feathers; others had broken legs.

Birds of prey, such as lesser kestrels and Montagu's harriers, were also seen being shot at. Turtle doves were seen being shot at in many localities, including Mizieb. Ten herons were shot by hunters on five speed boats at about noon on Sunday just behind the Splash and Fun Park, in Bahar ic-Caghaq. The hunters sped out in their boats and intercepted the birds as they were coming in from the sea. They picked up the birds and sped away.

ALE officers were called but by the time they arrived the hunters had left.

Ten white storks were also reported shot last week - eight were shot at in Dingli and two in Rabat. A flock of storks was decimated by hunters last June and one hunter has been charged in court. The storks were never found by the police.

Hunters were seen shooting at a flock of bee-eaters in Birsebbuga last week.

Three night herons were shot near Ghajn Tuffieha on Sunday morning while an Eleonora's falcon was seen being shot close to the Blue Grotto in Zurrieq.

Over the past weeks, bird watchers reported several instances of shooting at Salina, Dwejra and Bidnija.

The Environment Ministry said last week that 200 people were arraigned over illegal hunting and trapping in the first six months of the year following patrols by ALE officers.

A total of 380 people were arraigned in connection with hunting and trapping offences last year and 364 in 2003.

A bird watcher who spoke to The Times said the fact that the understaffed and overworked police section, manned by 24 officers working in two shifts, had managed to book 200 hunters showed how widespread the abuse is.

"When you call the ALE to report illegal hunting activities, they do their best to turn up, but very often the hunter one is reporting would have left by the time the officers arrive.

"Anyone who believes that 12 policemen can control 12,000 hunters is simply kidding oneself," the bird watcher said.