First confirmed breeding birds of prey in 15 years
Shots fired at bird as it hunted for food
Ready to fly... The first two Common Kestrel chicks to successfully breed in Malta for 15 years. Photo: Denis Cachia
A pair of Common Kestrels has successfully bred and raised at least three chicks in Malta, the first confirmed successful attempt in 15 years, Birdlife said yesterday.
The ornithological organisation released photos and footage showing two of the chicks at the nest, stretching their wings in preparation for their first flight.
Birdlife said this was the first confirmed successful breeding of a bird of prey recorded in Malta since 1994 when a pair of kestrels bred at the Comino bird sanctuary.
However, the male partner of the breeding pair was yesterday seen with gunshot injuries to the wing. Birdlife's fieldworkers, who have been observing the pair in recent weeks, recorded shots fired at the male of the pair as it was hunting for food in nearby fields.
Last year, the first time spring hunting was banned, several breeding attempts by kestrels in different locations in Gozo and Malta were recorded but the birds were shot each time, Birdlife said.
"As a result of the spring hunting ban, many more wild birds migrating over Malta are surviving to continue their journey to European breeding grounds while, as expected, some are remaining to breed here," Birdlife Malta conservation manager Andre Raine said.
"The birds that have survived illegal hunting during the closed season this spring and managed to settle into their breeding grounds, thanks to the efforts of the police, are now facing another threat. With the opening of the rabbit hunting season on June 1, poachers are taking advantage of this loophole to illegally shoot Malta's rare breeding birds," Dr Raine said.
Birdlife called on the Office of the Prime Minister and the Police Commissioner not to issue any more rabbit hunting licences and urged a bigger police presence in the countryside throughout the breeding period.
To see a video clip of the kestrel chicks visit www.birdlifemalta.org.
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John Matthews
Jun 8th 2009, 18:28
@ Edward Camilleri in particular and others Please enlighten me as to the following. WHAT IS A HUNTING GUN ?????? I WILL STATE THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THERE IS NO SUCH THING. For example a SHOTGUN can be used for a variety of shooting sports i.e Clay Pigeon, Skeet etc etc, the list goes on. A RIFLE can be used for Target Shooting, Running Boar, Running Deer etc etc, the list goes on. PISTOLS are used for Target Shooting, PP3, Hunting etc etc, the list goes on If you don't know what you are talking about, don't put pen to paper and ridicule yourselves John Matthews
r ferriggi
Jun 8th 2009, 17:05
in such cases, i suggest that environmental wardens check on the location more often to safeguard these young ones in the area. or at least, frequent police patrols. let not some savages kill the beauiful birds. it is a joy to see mature kestrels,,, let alone young ones!! this is an occasion to rejoice amid the senseless slaughter of these years.
Edward camilleri
Jun 7th 2009, 15:19
and they will shoot any that remains this year too unless all hunting guns are confiscated. Then they will brag about the fact that even when spring hunting was abolished no birds of prey are breeding on our islands. Convenient truth for some who cannot see beyond their barrel.
r sammut
Jun 7th 2009, 12:55
Barely a week has passed when BirdLife said no birds nest and now voila! To further push the point that hunters and hunting are a no no all year!
This was the second ban on spring hunting, not forgetting that even the one previous to these was abruptly ended beforehand! Commino has been a reserve for more than two decades and yet the birds never seem to take much fancy of!
Why should then hunting be terminated so that a pair or two may decide to nest… somewhere? Even before springs bans came in force, there were other nesting attempts (after end of open seasons) BL words! So if birds wanted to nest, they still remained then as they do now!
Does a nest or two justify BirdLife propaganda about all the wildlife propagation? BirdLife just want to clinch the centre of attention and this is nothing more than the nth attempt of their twisted ways of crying foul!
adrian aquilina
Jun 7th 2009, 12:25
a lovely story that turns into a disgusting act of shooting by these "hard done by" hunters..
the majority know the "hunters" do not deserve any sympathy..aqain,this shows why a call to stop shooting birds is justified..
good luck to the 2 birds and their young
Francis buhagiar
Jun 7th 2009, 12:13
If Birdlife Malta cares so much for the wild rabbit why is it that when hundred of rabbits were being buried under tons of rubble in the quarries at Kirkop and Mqabba they never said a word to protect them. It seems to me that Birdlife Malta cares more for their personal interest than our natural environment.
Frans Buhagiar