Birdlife Malta today reported that three protected birds were shot over the weekend.

The spring hunting season has not yet opened, and yet hunters are already shooting protected birds, Birdlife said.

The three birds shot were a Marsh Harrier (Bagħdan Aħmar), a Common Kestrel (Spanjulett) and a Scopoli’s Shearwater (Ċiefa) which were all found by members of the public.

Scopoli’s Shearwater, shot in Marsascala

Marsh Harrier, shot in Gozo

Common Kestrel, shot in Vittoriosa