Fewer birds shot this spring, say birdwatchers

The majority of hunters are respecting the government's ban on hunting and trapping and fewer birds were shot this year, according to foreign birdwatchers monitoring the situation.

The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (Cabs), a German-based conservation organisation, said it heard 354 gunshots in the nine days it spent on the island compared to last year's 1,350, when hunting was also subject to a ban.

Cabs president Heinz Schwarze said this was a significant decline and clearly showed that most hunters respected the government's ban. But, he added, the few who ignored it still affected the migration of birds in spring.

The committee reported eight men whom they saw shooting at birds or carrying a shotgun. Throughout their stay, the birdwatchers were regularly insulted and numerous attempts were made by hunters to intimidate them, they said.

Last week, a hunter fired a warning shot when they ran after him for shooting down a bird and, shortly afterwards, they were followed by a car. However, the committee said it intended to return in autumn, this time with more birdwatchers.

This is the second consecutive year that spring hunting has been banned. Last year, the European Court of Justice ordered Malta not to allow the opening of the spring hunting season due to the pending court case, which is scheduled to start tomorrow.

Although the ECJ's ban covered just last year, EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas had warned the Maltese authorities the Commission would again ask the ECJ to issue urgency measures if Malta decided to open the season.