An Eastern Imperial Eagle has seen seen  in Malta, possibly for the first time, BirdLife said.  It roosted in Malta last night.

Sporting a satellite tracking device, the massive bird is thought to originate from a conservation project in Austria.

The eagle was spotted over Buskett yesterday early afternoon.

An unusual species for the Central Mediterranean, Eastern Imperial Eagles breed in Eastern Europe and Asia and normally migrate over Balkan countries and the Middle East to winter in East Africa, Arabia and India. Although they have a massive wing span of up to two metres, they normally avoid long stretches of open water and do not cross over Mediterranean Islands, hence their rare presence in the region.

Experienced birdwatchers, who are accustomed to seeing this bird in Eastern Europe but never in Malta, followed the bird in various locations.  

BirdLife  said it alerted the Police Administrative Law Enforcement Unit . It us urging members of the public to keep a look out for it and alert police of any illegal hunting.

Reports to police can be made on 119 while the organization can be reached on 2134 7646.