Federation for Hunting & Conservation – Malta (FKNK), have said today that hunters saved and eventually released back into the wild two little bitterns that were victims of man-made ‘hazards’ in two separate incidents.

The statement said that last week a hunter noticed a little bittern, which had been disorientated whilst in flight by the speeding vehicles, crouching against a pavement. The hunter collected the bird and contacted FKNK, who informed him to hand over the bird to the Animal Welfare personnel, who in turn after ensuring that the bird was unharmed, released it back into natural environment normally frequented by the species, and where other little bitterns are known to be already present.

FKNK went on to say that “earlier this week, another hunter who was walking his dog in Msida observed another little bittern crash into a glass pane and then since frightened, hid under a car. The hunter collected the bird and proceeded to the nearby FKNK Offices, where FKNK officials after ensuring that the bird was unscathed released it in the whereabouts of a nearby water reservoir.”

The little bittern (Ixobrychus minutes), Igrett tas-sigar on Malta, Hanxul on Gozo, can be termed a frequent passage migrant to Malta, more in spring than in autumn. In recent years a few pairs have succeeded in raising a brood locally, especially due to more attractive natural environment preferred by the species that has become available in certain areas of the islands.

Little Bittern saved and released near reservoir – Photo: Kevin Pace.

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