This morning a team from the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) reported finding an injured Hoopoe [Daqquqa tat-Toppu] on a countryside road close to Fawwarra. The bird was immediately taken to a vet who confirmed that it had been shot in the right wing.

Hoopoes are birds of great conservation concern with populations declining in nearly all of the EU member states, CABS said.

The species is notable for its colourful plumage and distinctive “crown” of feathers which makes it a highly coveted trophy among collectors and taxidermists.

CABS also reported that last Friday its teams observed a Short-toed Eagle [Ajkla Bajda] being shot down at the southern end of the Dingli cliffs.

The birdwatchers said that they alerted the police who conducted an intensive, but unfortunately fruitless search in the area.

CABS condemned the incidents but also underlined that these were the only illegal shootings observed by its teams so far. “Compared to previous seasons the situation seems to be much more under control,” CABS Press Officer Axel Hirschfeld said.

In two other separate incidents CABS reported cases of illegal bird trapping to the police. These involved an illegal cage trap for Turtle Doves in Selmun, an active clap net in Siggiewi and a cage with finches without rings in Burmarrad. Three Greenfinches and a Siskin were confiscated by the ALE.

Photograph above shows a CABS Bird Guard with the injured Hoopoe

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