Two honey buzzards have been recovered from within the Buskett bird sanctuary by BirdLife, the organisation said in a statement.

It said that it also received reports of illegal shooting on protected birds.

BirdLife said the two honey buzzards were discovered by members of the public on two separate occasions and handed over to BirdLife yesterday and today.

Both protected birds had wing and tail feathers hacked off, were covered in bird dropping, and were in very poor condition with severe feather damage.

One was missing three talons and had disfigured toes. The Office of the Prime Minister and MEPA were informed, and the birds have been handed over to the ALE.

“The injuries clearly indicate that these wild birds were illegally kept in captivity probably after being shot during their migration to Africa this autumn. It is going to take months of careful rehabilitation before these birds are in good enough condition to be released.” said Nicholas Barbara, BirdLife Malta Conservation and Policy Officer.

BirdLife said that although the peak migration season was over, illegal hunting was still being observed. Yesterday, bird watchers saw an injured crane with missing wing feathers consistent with gunshot injuries in Dingli.

Migratory cranes have been consistently targeted over the last weeks as they migrate over Malta. On December 12, a flock of cranes in flight was shot at from the airport’s vicinity and electronic bird callers, which are illegal, were heard playing crane calls near the airport to lure these birds into shooting distance, it said.

BirdLife also received reports that cranes were being illegally hunted at sea. In November a small flock of cranes was reported being chased by boat in the Comino Channel, with hunters embarking onto Comino after the birds roosted there.

It reiterated that a wildlife crime unit should be established and fines for repeat offenders should be increased to act as a serious deterrent.