A man was today fined €4,000 after he admitted to shooting a Black Winged stilt in Xemxija last week.
George Gatt, 21 of Mosta, was seen getting out of his car and shooting the protected bird fromt he street in mid-afternoon.
A court also ordered confiscation of his gun and a ban on his hunting licence for three years.
His friend, Dominic Borg, who admitted to assisting Mr Gatt, was fined €6,000 because of previous hunting convictions. He had his licence suspended for life.
Magistrate Anthony Vella warned the two men not to repeat the crimes because they may be jailed next time.