The discovery of a fourth successful breeding pair of peregrine falcons reflected the "maturity and responsibility" of Malta's hunting community, the Hunters' Federation said. 

In a statement, the FKNK said that hunters had proved instrumental in monitoring and safeguarding the falcons, which were found in areas where hunting is regularly practised throughout the season. 

Confirmed sightings of another raptor species, the Common Kestrel, further confirmed that characterisations of hunters as trigger-happy were "untrue and unfounded", the FKNK said. 

Peregrine falcons disappeared from the island for 29 years before a breeding pair was recorded in 2009. 

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