BirdLife confirms first breeding bird of prey in 15 years

BirdLife Malta said today that a pair of Common Kestrels has successfully bred and raised at least three chicks in the Maltese islands, the first confirmed successful attempt in 15 years.

Two of the chicks in the nest have been observed exercising and stretching their wings in preparation for their first flights.

The conservation organization said that this was the first confirmed successful breeding record of a bird of prey in Malta since 1994 when a pair of kestrels bred in Comino bird sanctuary. Since then several breeding attempts by kestrels in different locations in Gozo and Malta were recorded but the birds were shot each time. Last year, three young kestrels were also sighted in Gozo, but as the nest was never found, the breeding attempt was recorded as probable.

Over the last few weeks several rare breeding species such as kestrels and Turtle Dove were observed by BirdLife Malta field workers setting up territories, performing breeding displays and building nests in different part of the islands.

Dr Andre Raine, BirdLife Malta Conservation Manager, said many more wild birds migrating over Malta were surviving to continue their journey to European breeding grounds, while as expected some were remaining to breed here.

BirdLife fieldworkers who have been observing the pair over the last weeks have already recorded shots fired at the male of the pair as it was hunting for food in nearby fields for its young. The male of the pair was yesterday seen with gunshot damage to the wing. In other areas where kestrels have remained into the summer season the organization received reports of 'rabbit' hunters shooting at kestrels as they flew over them.

He, however, complained of a new threat to the birds.

"With the opening of the rabbit hunting season on June 1st, poachers are taking advantage of this loophole to illegally shoot Malta's rare breeding birds," Dr Raine said.

BirdLife said it was calling on the Office of the Prime Minister and the police commissioner not to issue any more rabbit hunting licenses and that the ALE presence in the countryside should continue through the vulnerable breeding period. The organization reiterated its demand that a dedicated wildlife crime unit be established to combat these crimes all year round.