A shotgun thought to belong to a hunter has been found hidden in the grass at Kennedy Grove, Salina, not far from popular picnic areas.
The gun, which was loaded, was stowed in a long, unlocked plastic tube.
Eyewitnesses said people in the area had regularly noted bird shooting from this bird sanctuary but had not actually seen anyone carrying a gun coming out of the grove.
They alerted BirdLife who in turn contacted the police.The gun was found in marshland after a search by members of the Administrative Law Enforcement unit.