A “bold attempt to hit and kill a highly protected species” was filmed this morning by Malta volunteers of the Committee Against Bird Slaughter.

The footage is crystal clear and the two individuals involved have been identified by its experts,” CABS said. The incident happened at around 6.50am.

However, the hunters this time round were not humans but a pair of peregrine falcons.

“The harrier was not hurt either,” Cabs press officer Axel Hirschfeld said.

It seemed that the falcons acted jointly to defend their territory – a behaviour which would confirm local ornithologists' reports that the ´Maltese falcon´ is making a comeback.

To ensure the rare birds’ safety of the rare birds Cabs decided not to publish the location of the site where they were spotted.

Cover photo: Hans Glader, Cabs