An injured marsh harrier was handed over to BirdLife on Friday from members of the public.

They found the bird next to the Għasri main road which leads to Ta’ Pinu.

Watch: 'Spring hunting has an expiry date'

Birdlife said the bird was the first reported casualty of this year’s spring hunting season.

The protected bird of prey was found suffering from a shotgun injury to its left wing. It was shot days ago and its wounds were infested with maggots. It is being kept under observation for possible rehabilitation.

Birdlife said that although this bird was the first shot bird it received during this year’s season, which opened last Sunday, it was the second casualty witnessed as an injured pallid harrier was seen flying at Delimara on Sunday.

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