BirdLife Malta appealed to anyone witnessing protected birds being killed or any other illegal hunting incidents to report the incidents to the police and inform the organisation.

In a statement this afternoon it said that it received calls reporting shooting at protected birds and of hunting in protected areas or close to residences every autumn but it was important that the people also reported such incidents directly to the police as they would be more able to act on eyewitness information.

Conservation Manager Nicholas Barbara said BirdLife often used the information provided by the public to guide its surveillance activities and in many cases it led to successful prosecutions.

It also reminded the public of its voluntary injured bird recovery service, which it operated throughout the year to rescue injured wild birds and, wherever possible, rehabilitate and release them back into the wild.

BirdLife said it was today passing on to the police a night heron found in Mellieħa yesterday to be taken to the Government vet for treatment of a fractured right wing caused by the impact of shotgun pellets.

A shot squacco heron, also recovered yesterday, has been deemed fit for release and will be taken to Is-Simar Nature Reserve in Xemxija this afternoon.

BirdLife said that Raptor Camp officially starts tomorrow, but local BirdLife Malta staff, volunteers and locals birdwatchers have already started monitoring the autumn migration, receiving reports of illegal hunting and recovery shot protected birds.

Illegalities should be reported to the police on 2294 2161 - 3. BirdLife can be contacted about injured wild birds on 2134 7644 – 6.

Anyone interested in volunteering at Raptor Camp should contact the BirdLife office or email raptorcamp@birdlifemalta.org .