Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna has condemned last Sunday’s attack on a group of birdwatchers and called for the rule of law to be respected.

He was speaking yesterday as he joined a group of Birdlife volunteers for a birdwatching session at the same site where enthusiasts were attacked by a group of hunters.

The birdwatching session had been planned some months ago but took on greater significance after Sunday’s incidents, another of which was a protest in Valletta against the government’s decision to close the autumn hunting season until October 10.

“I am here to show my support for birdwatchers,” Mgr Scicluna said, appealing for civic sense to prevail.

Mgr Scicluna condemned the violence against the birdwatchers, saying it was ironic that on the 50th anniversary of Independence some Maltese could organise “an ambush” against fellow Maltese.

“I condemn any sort of violence on innocent people who are practising their hobby. It is for the common good that when there are rules they should be respected,” he said.

Mgr Scicluna encouraged people to appreciate nature as God’s gift, take care of it and enjoy it so that the heritage of nature will continue in time. “I also encourage people to obey the laws regulating hunting and the protection of species.”

His words came 24 hours after 11 hunters were charged in court on various counts, including an assault on three Times of Malta staff, a journalist, a photographer and a cameraman, during the Valletta protest.

With a pair of binoculars strung around his neck, Mgr Scicluna witnessed scores of migratory raptors circling above Buskett as they prepared to come down and roost for the night.

The spectacle left him in awe as he tried to recognise all the different species.

But the effort earned him praise from Birdlife president Geoffrey Saliba, who described the bishop as “an excellent” birdwatcher.

“I’m learning,” Mgr Scicluna said as a veteran birdwatcher gave him a thick reference book on birds.