Following a CABS' operation on Gozo against illegal wader trapping, two sandpipers were confiscated by the Gozo police from an active trapping site, BirdLife Malta said today.

Following the confiscation, BLM said that the birds were then released back into the wild at Ghadira Nature Reserve on Saturday.

BLM thanked CABS, Gozo Police, ALE and WBRU "for the cooperation in making sure these birds are given another chance to continue their migration."

"At this time of year wader species who have completed their breeding season start their long migration south from Northern Europe" BirdLife went on to say, "quite a number of species migrate through the Maltese Islands, making the most of the coastal areas to refuel and rest. Unfortunately these birds are also the target of illegal trapping sites who utilise water ponds, nets and electronic calls to catch these species."

BirdLife Malta pointed out that trapping during the summer months is illegal. "If any illegal trapping is suspected, please contact the police on 119."

Photos by Anders Gray – BirdLife Malta

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