Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1097044
4 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 MARCH 2019 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 In addition to the opening of the spring hunting season, the committee was also asked to vote on a proposal to reopen dis- cussions with the European Commission "for a long-term solution" on reopening the season in the future to be reached. BirdLife was the only member of the committee to vote against, with the Envi- ronment and Resources Agency abstain- ing. Asked for his reaction, BirdLife CEO Mark Sultana said the vote showed that the government has appreciated the im- portance of protecting the turtle dove species, calling on authorities to ensure that laws are abided by. Turtle doves are considered a "near threatened species" across the EU with population numbers continuing to de- crease. He therefore said that BirdLife was rec- ommending that the quail hunting sea- son be pushed forward, or not opened at all, in order for it not to coincide with the peak in turtle dove migration. Protected birds rescued Earlier, Birdlife Malta said it had res- cued three illegally shot protected birds as poachers took to the countryside in the first week of spring. The bird conservation group it had re- ceived a number of reports of illegally shot birds over the past week. The first bird, a Common Kestrel, was found on 23 March, in Birgu. The bird's left wing appeared to have been shot. On 24 March, a Scopoli Shearwater was also rescued in Marsaskala. The bird, whose wing had been completely blasted off was found swimming near boats in the area. The group said the bird was clearly shot while out at sea and managed to swim in when it was ultimately recused. On the same day in Gozo, a Marsh Har- rier was also rescued. The bird suffered injuries to the right wing when it was shot. The government vet had confirmed that all three birds were illegally shot, BirdLife said. Poachers target protected birds This Marsh Harrier suffered injuries to its right wing when it was shot in Gozo