Voting to eradicate spring hunting will allow the Maltese to take start making use of publicly owned land which has been overrun by hunters for years and change what’s now a bird cemetery into a living woodland.

This morning, members of the Shout NO campaign addressed members of the press at Mizieb, a woodland which hunters were given access to back in 1986. Ever since, they seem to run the place, telling other people to keep off the grounds.

This is happening despite there being no formal agreement or management plan in place for the use of the land.  A 'HUNTING AREA' sign has also been put up by hunters themselves, only a few metres away from a spot signed as a picnic area.

The woodland is one of the few areas in Malta where exhausted birds can rest during their long journey from Africa to mainland Europe. It also serves as a breeding site for many different species.

Campaign spokesperson Mark Sultana said that the woodland is a publicly owned land which should be free for everyone to enjoy. Instead in spring it is occupied by hunters, who shoot birds under the cover of the trees.

Birds flying over Malta are being shot dead from this area, and following last year’s hunting season, volunteers found the remains of rare and protected birds hidden under rocks. Birds included Marsh Harriers and Hoopoes.

What's more, back in 2009, volunteers discovered the carcasses of 200 protected birds hidden under rocks, stuffed in crevices and inside old barrels. Activists described it as "the largest wildlife crime scene in Maltese history" and a "bird cemetery."  This, activists said this is evidence that hunters are not interested in the tradition of hunting for food, as they often claim.

Sultana noted that the number of birds which can be hunted legally, turtledoves and quails, have decreased drastically and meanwhile, illegal hunting on the island is on the increase.

“The impact of such illegal killing in spring is doubly damaging, as these birds are on their way to breed. Banning spring hunting will not only protect turtledoves and quail, but also many rare and protected birds passing over Malta, allowing them to breed,” he continued.

"We want to have back the public land we have been deprived of. The time has come for the Maltese public to do something about it, and get to enjoy what's left of the local countryside."

Sultana added that illegalities increase during the spring season, and although there is no guarantee that a NO vote will put an end to such illegalities, these should decrease, and it will be made more clear to everyone what the law states.

Meanwhile, triathlete and coach Fabio Spiteri also joined in the call to reclaim back the land taken from the public.