Bishop Scicluna joined a BirdLife Malta Raptor Camp team today in Buskett Gardens to experience the autumn migration at its finest.

The Axillary Bishop of Malta joined the Raptor Camp team for a session of birdwatching in one of Malta’s migration hot spots. Watching Honey Buzzards, Marsh Harriers and Hobbies soaring over head, Bishop Scicluna asked people to “Remember the words of Jesus, ‘Look at the birds in the sky.”The Bishop then went on to encourage all people to obey laws surrounding hunting and conservation of protected species, stating, “they are there for the common good.”

The Bishop watched the migrating birds coming in to roost from the same site where last weekend local birdwatchers were attacked. Although the visit had been planned months in advance, the Bishop stated that his “presence has now taken on a different meaning.”He went on to condemn the acts of violence, and also praised the work of the authorities in the handling of the incident, arguing “all people should be able to enjoy the countryside in peace, without fear of harassment.”

When asked about his stance on illegal hunting, the Bishop responded “It fills me with a sense of responsibility; that we need to take care of these creatures. The Lord gave us the role of stewardship, not to destroy, but to take care of them.”

“Malta is a special place,” the Bishop said whilst speaking to BirdLife Director Steve Micklewright, referring to the large numbers of birds passing over the island in the spring and autumn migration periods.

The Bishop continued, “I understand why people take up this hobby, its being in the open country, watching the beauty of nature and not harming it, it’s enjoying it.”

This was the Bishop’s first birdwatching experience where he expressed a wish to visit Buskett again, in an unofficial capacity, to really experience birds on their migration journeys. He finished by saying, “I just need to invest in a good pair of binoculars.”

Photos: Bishop Scicluna watching migrating raptors in Buskett. Photo by Holly Forsyth . Bishop learns about the birds seen at Buskett from local volunteer. Photo by Holly Forsyth – The Bishop and a local birdwatcher lends the Bishop a telescope. Photo by Ella Beeson

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