Government announces new bird trapping and 'research' season

Government has announced the opening date of “research” on seven species of songbirds.

The “scientific research period” covering seven species of finches will open on 20 October and will last until 20 December 2026, inclusive of both dates. 

Meanwhile the season for golden plover will run from 1 November 2026 through 10 January 2027.

A national quota has been set at 5,000 song thrushes and 700 golden plovers. 

In 2024, the European Court of Justice ruled that Malta’s derogation from the ban on bird trapping is illegal.

After government continued to reopen trapping season, the European Commission once again launched infringement proceedings against Malta, citing the fact that the newest derogation, "does not pursue a genuine research purpose” and effectively reintroduces recreational trapping despite two separate European Court of Justice rulings that declared Malta’s past regimes illegal.

Individuals participating under a special license are legally mandated to release every captured bird back into the wild immediately after examining it for a scientific ring. 

All catches must be reported on the spot by specifying the species and quantity, either via the toll-free telephone number 8000 2020 using a registered mobile phone or through the "Game Reporting MT" mobile application, both of which provide confirmation by SMS. 

In instances where a ringed bird is handled, participants must enter the recovery details into the designated form accompanying their license and file a report that same day.

License holders are encouraged to record a short video showing the release of birds at the capture location, and they must log their research effort before departing the site even when no birds have been caught.