A large flock of short-toed and booted eagles numbering over 60 specimens roosted in various locations around Siggiewi, Dingli and Rabat, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Agriculture, Fisheries said today.

In a statement it said that "alerted to the presence of protected birds by Birdlife Malta and separately by FKNK as well as by independent ornithologists, the authorities conducted an intensive surveillance operation by the ALE Armed Forces and Inspectors from the WBRU in a wide area."

The statement said that although most birds were observed to have continued their southward migration in the early hours this morning after roosting overnight, four separate incidents involving suspected illegal targeting of protected birds were reported between yesterday and this morning.

A suspect has been apprehended and is presently in police custody, the Secretariat said.

Permalink: Protected eagles targeted, suspect in custody – Secretariat