Nature Picture Library is pleased to support the work of BirdLife Malta, the largest and oldest conservation organisation in Malta. David Tipling travelled to Malta to document their work in campaigning against the controversial spring hunting of migrant songbirds and raptors. David was shocked by the density of hunters on Malta, which left birds with little hope of survival. He
described the scene as reminiscent of a battle zone (with 9000 shots recorded in 3 hours, equating to 1.3 shots per second!) and was shocked to see turtle doves being both trapped and shot. He photographed a number of birds of prey which had been shot, including the extremely rare pallid harrier, and also gave evidence at the trial of a hunter who was apprehended for shooting birds in a protected area. For more information or to support the work of BirdLife Malta, go to
www.birdlifemalta.org.
