Four hunters fined

Four hunters were yesterday fined Lm900 after being found guilty of hunting in the close season, being in possession of shotguns in bird sanctuaries and shooting protected species.

Conrad Vella was fined Lm300 after being found guilty of hunting in the close season and having a bird caller.

Julian Xriha was fined Lm250 and had his hunting licence suspended for a year after being found guilty of being in possession of a gun and ammunition in a bird sanctuary while Martin Spiteri was fined Lm200 for hunting in the close season.

Paul Farrugia was fined Lm150 for shooting a song thrush in April, when hunters are only meant to shoot at turtle doves and quail. Song thrushes may be shot in autumn but are protected in spring.

ALE police have been carrying out patrols in various areas and some other hunters are known to have been booked after being found in possession of ammunition at Buskett, where an Osprey was shot over the weekend. An injured spoonbill was also found in Gozo.

A number of storks, both white storks and black storks have been seen over the past few days and some white ones have been reported shot from Siggiewi and Dingli.