Spring Watch 2025 Volunteers

We are seeking volunteers to join us in the countryside during our Spring Watch 2025 monitoring operations.

The BirdLife Malta Conservation team is on the lookout for volunteers to assist us with our spring monitoring fieldwork.

Spring is a vital time of the year for millions of migratory birds, who undertake the perilous journey from their wintering grounds to their breeding grounds further north across multiple European countries. In a time when we are seeing so many bird populations in decline, it is crucial that these birds are guaranteed a safe passage through the countries they have chosen to pass through, so they reach their destination in good health.

Spring is a great time to observe bird migration in Malta, and we are lucky to have a diverse range of species pass through during these months. It’s not uncommon to see some colourful species such as the European Bee-eater and Eurasian Hoopoe, as well as large and impressive species such as harriers.

Malta is the only EU country that regularly opens a spring hunting season, which otherwise is a banned activity under the EU Birds Directive. In recent years, two species have been legal to hunt – the Common Quail and European Turtle-dove. The latter species is classified as ‘Vulnerable to Extinction’ according to IUCN.

Unfortunately, the level of illegal hunting that takes place in Malta is still high, and Spring Watch is a bird protection camp with the aim of decreasing the amount of illegal hunting. However, for our work to be a success, we need volunteers to come and join us. Our work involves several hours spent in the countryside every day (covering early hours spent in the countryside in mornings and evenings), monitoring bird migration and hunting/trapping activity, recording any illegalities on camera, and liaising with the police where necessary to report bird crimes.

Bird identification skills are not a necessity but would be advantageous. Willing drivers would be particularly welcome. The days can feel long and tiring, so the ability to work well in teams and maintain a cheery outlook would also be helpful!

Please note that BirdLife Malta cannot assist financially, and these positions are funded by the volunteers themselves. Volunteers will stay in a hotel used by BirdLife Malta; please contact us before booking flights so we can check availability at the hotel.