Three marsh harriers with gun shot injuries, sent to a Sicilian rehabilitation centre by BirdLife Malta this autumn, were successfully released in Vendicari Nature Reserve in Sicily.

The birds were rehabilitated by the Centro Recupero Fauna Selvatica in Messina, after sustaining injuries in Malta during the autumn migration period.

“These were some of the many birds we sent to the Sicilian rehabilitation centre this autumn, under license by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and in collaboration with the Ripartizione Fanuistico Venatoria,” Andre Raine, BirdLife Malta’s conservation manager said.

Dr Raine, who was present for the release in Sicily said: “It was fantastic to see them flying free once more, and this is a huge testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff at the rehabilitation centre.”

The birds, all juveniles, were released at Vendicari Nature Reserve where there is already a wintering population of marsh harriers. The site, which is a large wetland, has ample food and habitat to sustain the birds for the rest of the winter.

Birds were sent to the Centro Recupero Fauna Selvatica in Sicily as there are currently no rehabilitation facilities for wild birds in Malta. The centre has an on-site veterinarian and large outdoor aviaries where rehabilitated birds regain their strength and heal their wounds. It is well known in northern Sicily for its successes in rehabilitating injured wild birds, Birdlife said.

Anna Giordano, a Sicilian conservationist who was part of the rehabilitation team, said the centre currently had 18 wild protected birds received from Malta, including 15 birds confiscated from a falconry centre. “Most of the birds are now in good shape and we hope to release more of them soon,” she said.