Tuesday, 22nd April 2008

Turtle doves are a plague

David Borg Cardona, Marsascala.

One cannot but notice on the way to Tripoli airport the plush fields by the perimeters of the smooth highway with the thousands of turtle doves devouring all the newly planted crops. My thoughts go back to the Libyan farmers who are prohibited from owning shotguns or cartridges. Without exception these poor dwellers are aggravated by all the damage done to their sprouting produce resulting from an ever increasing pest or what they rightly consider to be as a "plague". Anger is strongly vented by all the farmers across North Africa where turtle doves demolish the farmers' livelihood, which in turn trickles down the grapevine increasing consumer prices.

Ask the hundreds of Maltese hunters who have been to the Fayoum region in Egypt. Farmers plead with them to hunt from dawn to dusk and kill as many doves as they can. Here I cannot but think of Daphne Caruana Galizia, I.M. Beck, Ira Losco, Winston Zahra and all the rest of the tribe publicly squawking for a spring hunting ban on a species that is by no means far from extinction but is multiplying by the thousands.

So what's all the fuss about? Before arriving at the airport I concluded that those who support the ban on spring hunting and claim that "God's creatures" should not be destroyed (say this to any farmer and he will tell you who God's creatures really are) must either live in cloud cuckoo land or have no perception of what damage is being done by this pest. Turtle dove hunting in Malta during spring is a long standing traditional pastime for thousands of citizens and is a form of outdoor activity that provides relaxation and enjoyment.

But alas the "trumpeters" both in Malta and the EU are blind to the fact that turtle doves are an uncontainable plague. Can any of the anti-hunting clans or organisations convince me that the shooting of a few thousand turtle doves over Malta during spring is going to affect the millions of doves or deplete the species that inhabit North Africa, some of which cross the Mediterranean in April? This is the bottom line folks so let's be sensible please.

Are not foxes, crows and wood pigeons shot by farmers across European countries simply to prevent another form of destruction to their livestock and livelihood? These too are "God's creatures" however the "squawkers" turn a blind eye on this issue.

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Comments

m. said (on 9/5/08)

Daphne.... are you serious that you have never seen a turtle dove??? You said that you live in the countryside so how is this possible? I think that either you are blind, with all respect, or you are always looking at the ground.
Regarding the robins don't exaggerate pls. I have never seen a robin full of lead shot and each year a robin comes to my garden. I remember since I was young, and not only robins. I saw song trushes, warblers, chiffchaffs, redstarts too.
To see birds you have to relax and watch nature and honestly I don't think you have a lot of free time cos of your job.
Regards,
M.Said.

Robert Sultana (on 24/4/08)

Daphne, is it possible that this time (!!!) you could be saying a tiny,little fib !!! Nobody ever shot or shoots robins. Trapping them with 'trabokki' as kids in the past, yes , I admit, but not any more. Dead robins full of gunshot.....come on,get real !

Daphne Caruana Galizia (on 24/4/08)

I don't know where in heaven's name you might live, David, but I have lived surrounded by cultivated fields since I was in my 20s, and in all that time I haven't seen a single turtle-dove. I can tell you something else: that this is the first time in all these years that. some mornings, being in the house with the windows open is like being in an aviary with the sound of bird-song instead of the relentless gunfire that I used to hear. Defend your hobby by all means - it's a free country - but please don't expect us to respect you for it. I used to tell the kids that we knew Christmas was coming because of all the dead robins in the garden. Other kids knew what robins were from seeing them on greetings cards. My kids found out by picking up the dead bodies full of gun-shot. You can always spot a Maltese person overseas because we are the ones who can't get over the fact that there are real birds flying around ("Oh, look, a stork! Wow!).

Alex Ellul (on 22/4/08)

Everyone defends his patch. The north Afrcans may consider the tutle dove to be a pest. In Malta we non-hunters cannot observe one single turtle dove (or any other bird except sparrows for that matter) because these are shot by the local hunters as soon as these birds reach land. We Maltese are defending our patch..

J. Borg (on 22/4/08)

Turtle doves a plague? Well they would still allow me to enjoy the countryside with my children. It is hunters that are depriving the rest of the nation, and want to continue to do so.
Hunting in Malta is much more than protecting birds - it is essential the enjoyment or otherwise of a very limited area.
It is obvious that when hunters move in, the public and tourists are practically shoved off.

Raymond Sammut (on 22/4/08)

To Laurence Schembri, did I really say that insects ruin crops? With my argument I was addressing the issue of species (including insects) degenerating and becoming a plague as a result of change in habitat and not as claimed by Mr Borg Cardona. As to Fabian Borg, we are going to have to make a small exception if it's really getting that bad. Just like to remind him, in case he may not be aware, that Arabs in general are gravely intolerant of dogs. Hunting in Libya, therefore, looks like a very unlikely prospect.

C.Formosa (on 22/4/08)

Would messrs. Cachia Zammit and Mallia, by their own admission knowledgeable ornithologists , give us some indication of the numbers of turtle doves sighted or ringed by their organisation in September as opposed to the Spring migration? I mean after all the argument cited by the EU Commission is that the autumn migration provides an alternative for Maltese shooters. Personally in 30 years of shooting I have yet to catch a turtle dove in autumn as opposed to an average of 10 birds in spring. I mean turtle doves are the subject here Richard so lets have some honest answers.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin (on 22/4/08)

Mr. Ramon Casha should tell us from where he got the idea that voting Yes for EU meant that Spring Hunting will be abolished. He should produce this evidence. I am prepared to produce substantial evidence by MIC, The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Environment and the then Prime Minister Dr. E. Fenech Adami stating that Malta had negotiated with the EU and that the EU had accepted that Spring Hunting for turtle-dove and quail is to stand.

So please, Mr. Casha and all others, PLEASE PRODUCE YOUR EVIDENCE!

Richard Cachia Zammit (on 22/4/08)

I feel that most of the comments in favour of this letter have been generic when the letter is specific i.e. the Turtle Dove. For example David himself remarked that dove species are multiplying everywhere. David as you well know, there are doves and there are doves. If you were talking about say the Collared Dove, yes I would agree with you, but not about the Turtle Dove. Just check out on the internet the status of the Turtle Dove in the UK for example. Since around 1970 the population has plummeted by about 80% and the Turtle Dove is now in the UK Red List (high conservation concern). And as for Stephen Baldacchino’s remark that at the moment you can shoot doves in the UK, again, if that is true, he should have specified which doves. Definitely not Turtle Doves being in the red list. The EU hasn’t got any control on North Africa or wherever you want to mention but just its member states. In Europe, although the Turtle Dove’s population is still healthy (but definitely not of plague proportion), yet a slight decline is being registered throughout its breeding range, and here in Malta, modern hunters who should practice sustainable hunting, want to kill them before they get the chance to reproduce. David, if it is true that in some North African countries Turtle Doves (because that is the subject and not doves) have reached plague proportions, just the same, if you had to exterminate all the Turtle Dove population in Europe, the North African countries would still be infested because we are here talking about different populations of the species. And David with regards to your last remark….no I’m not yet an honorary member of Birdlife but I’m honoured to be a member.

Fabian Borg (on 22/4/08)

Too bad Libya does not open hunting for tourists. It seems as good as Argentina but only 1 hour away. We will have to stick to Malta for our occasional Turtle dove in Spring AND the rare dove in Autumn by the looks of it. Lets hope ECJ does not take much longer as my finger is contracting for no reason, my dog is over excited, my body is behaving in an abnormal way and my dreams are getting worse.

laurence schembri (on 22/4/08)

Raymond Sammut has got it all wrong as with regards to insects ruining the crops, insects whatever is left of them are a neccessity to famland, gardens, etc, it is us humans that have ruined the use of insect by overspraying of pesticides, people of certain age will well remember the use of DDT, within a few years concrete evidence had showm that DDT crop-spraying was the cause that spread cancer world-wide and was abolished. Who is to say that the pesticides that are in use today are not causing some sort of malady that in future time to come researchers will find out that pesticides are bad for our health. Pasticides obliterated the beautiful Ladybird, one of the most hard working insects that kept most fruit trees free from other insects, and yet we killed it. When was it the last time that any of us had the pleasure of witnessing a Ladybird doing its utmost to keep us healthy. It is progress and men that has ruined the world. Flying creatures and insects are God creation an should be left alone. Look at the Blue Dolphin, greed and overfishing is witnessing the extiniction of this beautiful and friendly reature. It is time that man wake up to reality.

Ramon Casha (on 22/4/08)

Past experience suggests that all that many/most hunters want is an excuse to be out with their guns so they can shoot down any bird they see... including turtle doves of course. But then if something more interesting comes along, who can say which shotgun fired those several dozen shots that were heard?

D.Caruana hit the nail on the head (unintentionally I presume) when he said "Our duty is to limit (illegalities) as much as possible." Precisely... and the best way to limit these illegalities is to make it illegal to carry a shotgun around because the hunting season is closed until autumn.

I'm sure that law-abiding hunters exist. Unfortunately these will suffer the consequences of their fellow hunting enthusiasts who got used to flouting laws whenever they pleased. Fact is, as a group, hunters cannot be trusted to stick to the laws.

If anyone knows of a way to allow law-abiding hunters to pursue their hobby while ensuring that protected species are not shot down, please tell us about it. Until then, this is the only way I can think of.

I'm sorry if you thought that the EU had promised that the spring season would remain open forever. Maybe the hunters' representatives let their wishful thinking get the better of them. The EU never promised anything similar, and personally I always understood it as meaning that the spring season's days were numbered - in fact it was one reason I voted for the EU.

Raymond Sammut (on 22/4/08)

I wish to address directly Mr Borg Cardona's question in the fourth paragraph. Whether a species can be hunted in a sustainable manner depends on whether the population of the species is large enough. That can only be determined from properly commissioned studies, and not from ad hoc observations in selected geographical areas. If such a study were to recommend to the relevant authorities that a species can be hunted safely for a specified season, then a harvesting activity can be justified for table provisioning. This activity should then be carried out only in clearly designated areas where authorised policing can be effectively carried out, and damage to agriculture is zero. This should be very much the norm. But I remain unconvinced of your claim that the turtle dove is a plague since Libya (and Egypt) are very much along its natural path of migration. The species is native to the habitat, and cannot therefore be a plague -- that's a biological fact. It can increase in number, but nature alone can deal with that, and we don't need hunters to sort that out.

D.Caruana (on 22/4/08)

My apologies.
I meant Ramon Casha in my previous comment.

C Mallia (on 22/4/08)

Mr David Borg Cardona. I think I gave enough attention to your turtle dove plague and this is the last I will write about it. Its your credentials which are on the line here not mine, because it is you who is coming out with such sensational claims. As for me, I tend to avoid people such as you, who think and assume they are better than anyone else, so I am really uninterested on your challenge.

BTW, having said this, to tell you more about me, I have personally handled most european passerines both locally but mostly abroad with ornithological museums and organisations, within the breeding season and outside, moulting and not, and it does not take a person to HUNT to know about birds. There are better, cleaner ways.

S Gouder (on 22/4/08)

I think I have the solution to everything. Let's start organizing hunting trips to Libya.

Anthony Tabone (on 22/4/08)

Dear Mr Borg Cardona, You are as Mr.Ray Sammut, said, mixing apples with oranges, in Maltese we have a better idiom.........The European Turtle Dove is a migratory spieces whilst its North African cousin is not migratory. Our T.D winters in Southern Africa and not as you state.
Our T.D. is in severe decline and therefore we should be part in helping its revival......if you are still young you cannot appreciate the numbers of doves that used to fly over Malta, and this just over thirty years ago...........hundreds of thousands......and today? You tell us.
I believe that the decision taken not to allow any hunting during Spring is the best ever.......although there is still alot of enforcement needed..........some hunters are still shooting and not only on turtle doves and quail but on anything that flies........

L Galea (on 22/4/08)

I know that Mr Borg Cardona did not mention abortion, but is not what I said the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

I guess that your answer bears out the saying that truth hurts Mr Cassar

Stephen BAldacchino (on 22/4/08)

Mr.Richard Cachia Zammit , Turtle doves are shoot every were in the world and there is no place where its protected by law.Sorry, only in Malta they are because we are unique.Just a quick reminder that in U.K at this time they are killing doves.

David Borg Cardona (on 22/4/08)

So let's start....

Ramon Casha, all hunters want is to practise their traditional pastime on turtle doves and quails within the parameters of sustainability. So yes, all law abiding hunters just want to shoot on these 2 species as was promised to them before the EU referendum in 2003.

C.Mallia, if you consider these observations as laughable then that's your pigeon if you excuse the pun. However I can guarantee you that I know a great deal more in ornithology that our so called local ornithologists. On the same reasoning, as Sylvana correctly pointed out, before you blurt out insinuations on hunting the least I expect you to have is a considerable number of years experience in hunting. Should you require more proof contact me and you'll get the answer together with a lot of information on quails, skylarks and song thrushes. Since apparently its these 3 species you need enlightening on. Come to think of it. I will PUBLICLY challenge you to take up an ornithological quiz. You set the rules and I will put up my hunters reputation at stake. Ready for the challenge ????

Richard, Correctly you have seen palm doves in the Fayoum region as I myself have seen them but on the other hand I have seen a considerable number of turtle doves too. Although in all fairness the turtle dove is much commoner in Libya. The bottom line however is that dove species are multplying everywhere and are proven to do considerable damage to crops be it Libya, Egypt, Argentina or Uruguay.The harvesting of a few thousands in Spring will definitely not deplete the species as Birdlife & Co, of whom you are now an honorary member I suppose, are continually insinuating

Sylvana & Nyal , thank you once again..

Kenneth Cassar (on 22/4/08)

Suddenly, some people have woken up from their deep sleep and come to realize that all european countries except Malta permit abortion. And yet, abortion is illegal in Malta - which makes this a non-issue.

Only those who have no rational arguments in support of their "cause" will try to sidetrack the issue.

Is Nyal doing anything to stop abortion in europe?

Raymond Sammut (on 22/4/08)

Good point, Nyal. I agree fully with you in regard to abortion. But you have to stick to the issue in question. Mr Borg Cardona is making a very strong statement: "Turtle doves are a plague". The statement is definitely fallacious and deceptive, grossly unfair to the species, and has nothing to do with "abortion". The question of abortion in the EU is discussed elsewhere as a separate issue in its own right. You may want to consider some training in argumentative writing, please. We will not get anywhere by mixing things up, and will quickly degenerate into subjectivity.

C Mallia (on 22/4/08)

Ms. Zarb. Making certain sensational statements such as DBC saying "Turtle doves are a plague" without supporting it by scientific evidence, serious annual studies and already published papers goes to see how twisted one can get to be able to reach silly conclusions for their own personal benefit.

BTW, for all those who are talking about abortion on this page, should write a letter to the Times and talk about it there. Comparing the cause to abortion with spring hunting defeats all comprehension!?

martin borg (on 22/4/08)

So if we had to accept Mr. Borg Cardona's argument in favour of allowing turtle dove hunting in Malta on the basis of helping out the poor Libyan farmer's plight, we should rightfully expect the Libyans to return the compliment and stop allowing illegal immigrants leaving their shores and 'migrating' to our country.

Of all the excuses brought up by the pro hunting lobby regarding spring hunting this is probably the most harebrained of the lot.

D.Caruana (on 22/4/08)

Can David Casha guarantee that drivers will not overspeed, make U-turns and so on?
Can he guarantee that thieves will not steal?. Can David guarantee that no drugs will be sold? or that no murders are committed?

The answer is NO. illegalities exist in all forms and ways and in every sector of society. Our duty is to limit them as much as possible.
Hunting is part of that society and unfortunately there are the few who break the law.

Nyal Xuereb (on 22/4/08)

Good point Mr.Galea. The Council of Europe just voted in favour of abortion. From experience I know that what they call a foetus is a living being like us. As early as 5 weeks a baby is fully developed and swimming about and moving in the womb. So the EU just said that we can kill human beings but cannot hunt turtle doves for food. Great club we go into.

Nyal Xuereb (on 22/4/08)

Ironically the average bagged turtle doves for a Maltese hunting in Malta during spring stands at around 6 during a spring season, but that of the a hunter in north Africa in late winter, just before the same turtle doves start their migration, stands at over 300 a day. So what does the EU have to say about all the Italians, French, Spanish, Cypriots, and other EU citizens who pay huge sums of money for these hunting trips? Aren't the turtle doves being slaughtered before breeding just the same? I presume that the average Maltese hunters bag around 60,000 doves altogether during one spring migration season. That same number is bagged within a couple of days by other EU citizens before they start migration.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin (on 22/4/08)

Mr. Mallia, should one be an ornithologist to speak about bird population? So on your line of thought, ornithologists should turn hunters in order to speak / write about hunting!!

Can Mr. Casha guarantee that we will not have any reckless drivers, criminals, etc?

I know for a fact that law-abiding hunters, which run in thousands, will stick to shooting only turtle-doves and quails. Then it is up to the ALE to prosecute any others.

Richard Cachia Zammit (on 22/4/08)

David, I don't know what the Turtle Doves in Egypt have to do with shooting this species here in Malta. The birds migrating over our islands are those that breed in Europe, and in Europe this species is definitely not considered as a pest but protected in most of its breeding range, if not all. Apart from that, I was in Egypt and even in the Fayoum area and I don't remember such large numbers of Turtle Doves, although I do remember large numbers of Palm Doves which is a totally different species.

Kenneth Cassar (on 22/4/08)

L Galea should note that Mr David Borg Cardona did not mention abortion in his letter. So please grow up and stop trolling.

Raymond Sammut (on 22/4/08)

This is not a "hunting" issue. Traditionally, the farming community across the globe had to deal, and still does, with varies species and insects that adversely impact their crops. Armies of agricultural scientists and technicians work hard to find solutions. As a last resort, authorised culling is carried out from time to time by professional shooters to alleviate the problem.

An animal or an insect degenerates into a pest if it were moved from its natural habitat to one whose flora is alien. The classical example is the European rabbit imported into Australia. No amount of hunting could ever make a dent on the rabbit population in Australia. At the same time, Australian scientists remain at a loss at finding a solution, often causing more problems than they can solve. The big loser is the Australian farmer, who continues to endure heavy losses and passes these losses on to the Australian consumer.

The irony is, Mr Borg Cardona, that it is generally agreed that it were people like yourself, namely "hunters", who originally introduced the rabbit, along with the fox, into Australia. Both you and I can guess what their motive was at that time, without realising the extent of the damage they were about to cause. With your article, you are clearly mixing apples with oranges, barking at the wrong tree, and more significantly, further damaging your own cause.

C Mallia (on 22/4/08)

The very "scientific" analysis and conclusions about the Streptopelia turtur of DBC are impressive and laughable at the same time. Is this a hunter turned ornithologist / bird researcher? Maybe he should enlighten us about the Coturnix coturnix, the Alauda arvensis and the Turdus philomelos. Looking forward to more contributions

Ramon Casha (on 22/4/08)

Can David guarantee that if hunters are legally permitted to carry their shotguns for turtle dove season, turtle doves will be the only birds shot down?

Kenneth Cassar (on 22/4/08)

So David Borg Cardona first builds up a whole argument saying that turtle-doves should be shot because they are a plague to Libyan farmers, and then shoots down his entire argument by saying:

"Can any of the anti-hunting clans or organisations convince me that the shooting of a few thousand turtle doves over Malta during spring is going to affect the millions of doves or deplete the species that inhabit North Africa, some of which cross the Mediterranean in April?".

L Galea (on 22/4/08)

What about the murder of human being through abortion?

It seems that for the anti-hunting lobbyists in Europe it is all right to murder a human being through abortion, as we have not heard any condemnation against abortion from these quarters, but it is not good to kill birds!

I am not a hunter and do not like hunting, but where is the reasoning and consistency in Europe?

Turtle doves are a plague

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