BirdLife Malta have released a number of illegally trapped waders after they were found at an active trapping site and were confiscated by police and the ERA, the NGO said on Sunday.

The birds were found at a location in the south of Malta following a report by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and a joint operation between the police Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) and the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) followed.

“Scorching summer months and water scarcity are not an issue to those intent to break the law with trapping waders”, the NGO said.

The active wader trapping site was located and various wader bird species were found caged at a trapping site.

The birds included a variety of species namely Stone Curlew; Wood, Green and Common Sandpiper; Black-tailed Godwit; Ringed and Little Ringed Plover; Spotted Redshank and Common Greenshank – a true bonanza of wader species which were trapped illegally recently through the use of clap nets, bird callers, an ample supply of water and bird decoys. The find included also a whole flock of Black-winged Stilts which were probably trapped together with a single swipe of a net.

BirdLife Malta said that all birds have been checked by veterinarians who certified the majority of them as fit for release at all of their three nature reserves that have ideal habitat for these wading birds: Għadira, Simar and Salina Nature Reserves.

They were in fact released back into the wild the following day, Friday 9th July, after being ringed.

“If you spot illegal trapping activity, document such activity using photos and videos and feel free to drop us a line. A report can go a long way in saving the lives of these waders which end up being netted and caged after a long journey from northern Europe”, BirdLife Malta said.