Rampant and indiscriminate killing of wild birds during Turtle-Dove Spring hunting season

BirdLife Malta has reported at least 14 illegal bird killings during theis year’s turtle dove spring hunting season, once again highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the practice. According to the organisation, while the spring migration initially began with lower bird numbers and less species diversity than usual, incidents of illegal hunting increased sharply during the final days of the season, which closed on 3 May.

Among the birds recovered with confirmed shotgun injuries were several protected species, including Common Kestrels, Marsh Harriers, European Bee-eaters, Eurasian Hoopoes, Common Cuckoos, Wood Sandpipers, Little Egrets, Spotted Crakes and Corncrakes. BirdLife Malta also reported the illegal shooting of a European Turtle-dove outside the permitted hunting framework.

Particular concern surrounded the killing of a rehabilitated Common Kestrel that had previously survived a shooting incident in October and had later been released back into the wild during a public event in February 2026. The bird, which was fitted with a tracking device, had reportedly been wintering around Miżieb and was believed to have potentially remained in Malta to breed. Its tracking signal disappeared on the morning of 22 April over Miżieb despite authorities and hunting federation officials having reportedly been informed beforehand about the bird’s presence in the area.

BirdLife Malta stated that enforcement during the season remained inadequate, particularly in remote rural areas and hunting hotspots where protected migratory birds continue to be illegally targeted with little risk of detection.

The organisation also criticised what it described as regulatory loopholes that continue enabling the collection and taxidermy of protected migratory birds under certain exemptions, arguing that these weaken enforcement and incentivise illegal targeting of rare species.

Malta remains under an infringement procedure by the European Commission over its continued use of spring hunting derogations under the EU Birds Directive. Environmental groups across Europe have repeatedly criticised Malta’s annual spring hunting seasons, arguing that they undermine continental conservation efforts during sensitive migratory breeding periods.

Foreign conservation organisations, including BirdLife International and several European anti-poaching networks, have previously described Malta as one of the Mediterranean’s most problematic hotspots for illegal bird killings due to its location along key migration routes between Europe and Africa.

Despite repeated warnings from Brussels, the Maltese government has continued authorising spring hunting seasons through derogations allowing the hunting of turtle doves and quail, arguing that the practice forms part of Malta’s traditional rural culture.