A hunters' organisation has released footage of a very rare bird which visited the Maltese islands during the past weeks. 

The Baillon’s Crake is a very rare and irregular visitor from mid-March to mid-May and in autumn from October to November. It is a very secretive species and very few birds are recorded. There are several years without a single record of this species, Kaccaturi San Ubertu said.

The bird was first noted by Marcus Camilleri and Peter Paul Azzopardi and KSU informed ornithologists Natalino Fenech and Michael Sammut to positively identify the bird. KSU members and the ornithologists monitored closely the bird until it left on April 30. 

Notes about the bird's behaviour while in Malta are expected to be published in a reputable scientific journal later this year.

"KSU believe that even though there may be divergent opinions on certain issues, this is the way forward, by cooperating with serious and competent ornithologists."

KSU is involved in two projects involving these ornithologists, one involves educational lectures aimed particularly at hunters in both Malta and Gozo, the other is the installation of almost 400 nest boxes for various bird species around Malta and Gozo. Both projects are being funded by the Wild Birds Funds through the WBRU and the MESDC.

The rabbit hunting season opened on Friday and KSU urged members not to disturb any nests and to inform KSU of any breeding birds in their areas as part of their assistance with ongoing bird monitoring and studies.

The Baillon’s Crake.