Scientific evidence from two new government reports disproves hunters’ justifications for a spring hunting season, the “no” campaign has claimed.

Shout spokesman Mark Sultana said the first report, compiled by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit, showed that quail and turtle dove numbers were at an all-time low across Europe.

According to the report, turtle dove declined by a further three per cent since 2012 for an overall reduction of 77 per cent in the species’ European population since 1980.

A second report, also commissioned by the government, revealed that the number of quail migrating over Malta was actually higher in autumn than in spring, which Mr Sultana said undermined the hunters’ argument that the autumn hunting season did not represent a viable alternative.

“Malta is the only country in Europe to shoot migrating turtle dove and quail on their way to breed. Official scientific reports now make it clear; these species are in trouble across Europe and we need to give them a chance. There is no justification for spring hunting.”

Speaking a few hours ahead of an Ornis meeting that will decide in principle on this year’s spring hunting season, Mr Sultana called on the committee to withstand pressure from the pro-hunting lobby and base its decision on the facts.

Mr Sultana also told the press that a number of “no” campaigners had earlier today suffered intimidation from a group of hunters while carrying out a door-to-door campaign in Birkirkara.

The campaign said its members were verbally abused by the hunters, and the fliers they were distributing thrown on the ground.