Birdlife Malta has thanked the public and the police for their response to the unusually high number of young greater flamingos seen in Malta in the past week, despite the odd incident.

Since the first sighting of a flock of more than 40 flamingos on August 19, reports of young birds separated from the main flock and landing or ditching into the sea have abounded.

“We have seen the best side of the Maltese affinity and caring for nature and wildlife,” BLM executive director Steve Micklewright said.

It is thought that the storm in the middle of last week may have been a factor why so many of the young birds landed and stayed on the islands rather than continuing on with the rest of the flock.

But the flamingos’ arrival was not without incident. Birdlife said three were shot down in the past week.

On Monday, a photo was posted on Facebook showing a flamingo in the sea at Mġarr ix-Xini, Gozo. Witnesses saw the bird being shot down by a hunter standing on the shore, who then sent his dog into the sea to retrieve the carcass.