From Malta To Italy, Then Back Again? The Journey Of A Kestrel Found Shot In Malta In 2025

A Common Kestrel rescued in Gozo after being shot may be making its way back to Malta, according to BirdLife Malta.

The female kestrel was rescued in Għasri on 31 October 2025 and received veterinary treatment and rehabilitation before being released at Foresta 2000 in Mellieħa on 10 February 2026.

Since her release, GPS tracking has followed her journey beyond the Maltese Islands. After spending time in Fiddien, she migrated to Sicily in April before settling near Corato, in Italy's Apulia region, where she may have even raised a family.

Now, as autumn migration gets underway, tracking signals suggest the kestrel has travelled south through mainland Italy and Sicily, with her latest location indicating that she may have begun crossing the sea towards Malta.

The bird's journey forms part of BirdLife Malta's Wings of Hope Project, funded by the Malta Environment Foundation, which supports the rescue, rehabilitation and tracking of birds.

BirdLife Malta said the kestrel's recovery highlights both the importance of rehabilitation and the threats faced by birds of prey, many of which do not survive being shot.

The organisation is continuing to monitor the bird's movements to establish whether she will return to the Maltese Islands.

#MaltaDaily