An injured marsh harrier with a gunshot wound was picked up from Sta Lucija's Wied Garnaw this afternoon and handed to the police. 

When contacted, Birdlife Malta CEO Mark Sultana said the protected bird sustained a fractured wing and it is unknown whether it would survive. The bird, which was spotted by a woman walking in the valley, has now been forwarded to the police's Administrative Law Enforcement Unit.

"It's disappointing that the illegalities have started as soon as the migration season started," Mr Sultana told Times of Malta.

The marsh harrier is a bird of prey similar to the kestrel which was shot down last year, prompting the Prime Minister to close the controversial spring hunting season.

It is the second marsh harrier known to have been shot down in three days after police in Gozo spotted hunters firing approximately 15 shots at a group of three marsh harriers from corn fields near the Ta’ Pinu Church.

Incidentally, this morning Birdlife lauded the number of rare birds seen during this year's migration season.

The spring hunting season starts on April 17.