Flock of rare Short-toed Eagles visits Malta, most of them believed shot dead

Описание: On Saturday 2nd November 2019 in the evening a flock of around 15 rare Short-toed Eagles was spotted coming in and flying rather low by members of BirdLife Malta.

Many of the birds were observed settling in the outskirts of Siġġiewi and Rabat for the night. It is not common for eagles to cross the sea during migrations and therefore our islands serve them as a respite if they happen to do so. Unfortunately, though, it has now become common that these magnificent birds are met with shotguns aimed at them.

BirdLife Malta members in fact witnessed one of the Short-toed Eagles being shot down at Girgenti and police from the Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE) unit were called in immediately, with a search in the area being effected. In the meantime, the other birds scattered in the vicinity trying to find a place to roost. Various shots were heard during and after sunset, and all areas where the birds roosted had intense hunting going on at the time of the roosts. Investigations, however, have not led to anyone being convicted or any carcass being retrieved.

The following morning (Sunday) at 5:00am teams of BirdLife Malta volunteers and staff stationed themselves in the area to monitor the birds leaving the roosts. However, their worst fears that the birds might have all been shot before they actually managed to roost were confirmed when only one bird was seen leaving Buskett at around 6:30am. The bird was later sighted in the north of Malta. There was no other trace of the other birds anywhere in spite of the fact that the morning watch organised by BirdLife Malta continued. Most of them are believed to have been shot dead.

This video edit shows footage of the only Short-toed Eagle from the flock of around 15 which was witnessed leaving the roost at Buskett.

Footage by Nimrod Mifsud and Martin Austad. Editing by Nathaniel Attard.