Bird trapping was recorded in 60 localities this year despite a ban on the practice.

BirdLife Malta said it witnessed 90 incidents where trappers were present, with more than half taking place during the peak finch migration period.

In 76 other incidents, trappers were not present but although the birds were recovered, only one of them survived. The others died of long exposure to the sun or starvation, it said. The organisation said it also found 25 active cage traps and three mist nets, both of which were already illegal before this year's ban.

Four cage traps were dismantled by the police.

BirdLife campaign coordinator Geoffrey Saliba said: "The majority of trappers seem to be respecting the ban, but for populations of these target species to slowly build up we need time and effective law enforcement."

Otherwise, he said, the target species trying to breed would continue to be illegally trapped.