Illegal trapping incidences have been recorded in 60 locations in Malta and Gozo, BirdLife said.

This, it said, was in spite of the fact that the trapping season has not been opened this year. The incidences included 90 active trapping sites with trappers present, more than half of whom were recorded during the five-week peak finch migration period.

Another 76 incidences of active trapping sites where the trappers had left the site with their nets unattended were also recorded. Several birds were recovered from these unattended nets where they had become entangled. Unfortunately, only one Blue Rock Thrush, Malta’s national bird, managed to survive as all others died because of exposure or starvation.

Fieldworkers also recorded 25 active cage traps and three mist nets, both of which are trapping methods that were illegal before the trapping ban in 2009.

Cage traps work the same way as fish pots, with wild birds attracted into a cage trap by food, water and decoy birds, and are then unable to find their way out. Following reports, four of these cage traps in Gozo were dismantled by the police.

BirdLife said most of the data was collected from sites on public land and the information on illegal activities on private land or land claimed to be private was not available as access to these areas was not possible.

The NGO pointed out that during Malta’s accession negotiations with the EU, the government and the Commission agreed on a five-year phasing out period for the trapping of seven species of finch until the end of last year.

As a result fewer trappers were active in the Maltese countryside, resulting in several pairs of finches attempting to breed. At least two attempts were successful.

For the first time since the 1990s, a pair of Linnets were recorded breeding in Malta. Chaffinches also bred outside their stronghold in Buskett Bird Sanctuary and several other finch species were observed displaying breeding behavior in suitable habitat after the migration period ended.

“The majority of trappers seem to be respecting the ban, but for populations of these target species to slowly build up until Malta has a viable population of breeding finches, we need time and effective law enforcement. Otherwise the target species that are trying to breed will continue to be illegally trapped, as trapping using clap nets is such an effective method that a single illegal trapper can capture most of the target species within a large area.” Geoffrey Saliba, BirdLife Malta campaigns coordinator said.

BirdLife reiterated its position that the police force was inadequate to control wildlife crime, and again urged the government to establish a wildlife crime unit.