Malta's 2026 autumn hunting season is underway as large numbers of migratory birds pass through the Maltese Islands on their journey south towards Africa.
The European Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur, may be hunted during September under a national autumn quota of 500 birds, while the wider autumn hunting season continues for permitted species under the applicable regulations.
A species of conservation concern
The European Turtle Dove has undergone substantial population declines across parts of its European range and remains an important conservation concern.
Malta lies on a central Mediterranean migration route, so birds seen over the islands are part of populations moving between breeding grounds in Europe and wintering areas in Africa.
Why a national quota matters
A quota places a defined national limit on the number of Turtle Doves that may legally be taken. Accurate and immediate reporting is therefore essential if the total is to be monitored effectively.
The current reporting system also asks hunters to record whether a reported Turtle Dove is an adult or juvenile, providing additional information about the birds passing through Malta.
September is one of Malta's great migration periods
Turtle Doves are only one part of autumn migration. Raptors, bee-eaters, herons, swallows and many other species move through or rest on the Maltese Islands during this period.
That concentration makes suitable resting and feeding habitat particularly valuable. Even small patches of countryside, woodland and wetland can provide important stopover opportunities during long-distance migration.
Legal hunting and wildlife protection
The existence of a legal hunting season does not remove protection from other wild birds. Only species permitted under the applicable rules may be taken, and protected species remain illegal to shoot.
Effective enforcement is consequently important during peak migration because numerous protected and huntable species can be present in the same areas at the same time.
A chance to observe migration
Autumn is also an excellent period for residents to experience bird migration. Watching birds crossing the islands helps illustrate Malta's place within an ecological system extending far beyond its shores.
Nature Malta will continue to follow the 2026 season, including any official announcement that the Turtle Dove quota has been reached.
Sources
Wild Birds Regulation Unit — current hunting and reporting information
BirdLife Malta — hunting season and conservation information