Thirty-nine protected birds were confiscated from Mtaħleb on Friday night as a result of a police patrol in the area.

Administrative Law Enforcement officers, together with enforcement officials from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, seized the birds, mainly made up of little stints and sandpipers.

The birds were passed on to Mepa's Environment Protection Directorate before being freed in their natural habitat.

A man is expected to be charged in the coming days, police said.

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