The RSPB are calling for Maltese authorities to put an end to illegal hunting of birds on the islands with just weeks to go before the spring migration begins.

Malta lies on one of the key bird-migration routes linking Europe and Africa and has faced escalating public scrutiny as the extent of the devastation to its birds has been uncovered.

An analysis by BirdLife Malta, the RSPB’s partner in the islands, has shown that, over the last three years at least 79 species of bird have been shot illegally. This includes 17 species of birds of prey, which is just under half the total nesting in continental Europe.

Dr Tim Stowe, the RSPB’s international director, said: “The Maltese government has shown little interest in upholding the letter or the spirit of the EU Birds Directive, which was created to protect wild birds and which conservationists fought so hard to secure many years ago.”

There are concerns that things could get even worse if the island’s government accedes to Maltese hunters’ request to permit the spring shooting of quail and turtle dove. This has previously been allowed, but if the authorities sanctioned it this spring it would be in defiance of international bird protection laws, the European Court of Justice and public opinion across Malta, Europe and the European Commission.

The RSPB, BirdLife International and BirdLife have all come out in opposition to this proposal amid fears that this would not just lead to a big increase in the deaths of quail and turtle doves but greater collateral damage to other species. It is believed the permitted hunting could be used as a smokescreen for illegal hunters targeting other birds.

The RSPB’s petition will be delivered as part of a wider international push ahead of millions of birds passing through the Mediterranean en route to Europe.

Stowe commented: “The RSPB and our partners within BirdLife International are determined the advances we have made will not be reversed. We cannot just sit back and allow this to happen.”

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