Friday, 8th August 2008

No birds in midday sun

Raymond Azzopardi, Żurrieq

I read with interest the report No Birds In Buskett Despite Ban, Says Federation (July 29).

For an organisation that apparently "had no intention of taking anyone for a ride", the FKNK chose to hold their press conference in the middle of the afternoon at the end of July, claiming that there were "no birds in Buskett".

I am sure they are aware that at that time, it is too hot for any bird to be vigorously flying about. As they well know, birds are active in the early morning and late afternoon. Think about it - do you see hunters prowling the countryside in the mid-day heat?

Of course not, they are out early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Apart from that, they very well know that the end of July is typically the quietest period for birds in Malta - and the Mediterranean in general - being exactly after the breeding season has ended and just before migration.

So is this a deliberate attempt by the FKNK to fool the public? It is not a case of "there are no birds breeding in Malta despite a ban on spring hunting", but rather a case of "in the midday heat at the end of July, you will not find many birds in the countryside throughout the Mediterranean".

I don't expect "millions of birds" to breed in these islands in the first year of a spring hunting ban. It takes time and efficient law enforcement to stop illegal hunting and trapping.

But ask the average person on the street whether they saw more birds this year, and whether they felt happier walking in the countryside during the spring without being showered with shotgun pellets. I am sure we all know what the answer is.

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Comments

Richard Cachia Zammit (on 9/8/08)

You're right Andrew, this has nothing to do with Malta because whereas in other countries their idea of conservation is, the less you have the more you need to protect, here in Malta it is the other way round and we say....it is only a few pairs, why bother. That is your mentally and some of your friends. And what do you mean by implying that this has nothing to do with Turtle Doves and Quails? Aren't those birds as well? They are called game birds because humans decided to name them so but for nature they are birds as well, part of the natural environment. Please note that Turtle Doves, Bee eaters, Snowy Owls, Ospreys and Quails all have a global status of least concern but a vulnerable European status. So conservation wise they are in the same level, no difference at all. And after all, the EU bans hunting of migratory birds in spring so as to give them the chance to reproduce, a vital function embraced even by the modern hunter who practises sustainable hunting. But here in Malta we want to cling to the Medieval believe that nature is inexhaustible.

Andrew Gatt (on 9/8/08)

Richard, WHAT on earth does this have to do with Malta, Turtle Doves and Quail? Kindly stop mixing lettuce with the other stuff............and, A. Dalli, legal hunting is LEGAL. Dream on.

A.Dalli (on 8/8/08)

As I see it, the only endangered species here are the hunters. So be it, not complaining about it. You'ved raped the environment too much, your over indulgence has turned against you. Your barbaric I'm alright jack attitudes have actually been Birdlife's greatese allies. Whether hunters accept it or not, they have gone too far, there is no turning back.
When Popolin says stop, stop it will be. We've seen this lately with the rowdy bus strikers, we ill see it amongst the GWU/Docks and the hunters as well. You have a dwindling backing whilest the other side of the fence, awareness and love for the little environemtn we have left is growing. Most of the Maltese will not shed a tear at this "hobby's" demise in due time.

Richard Cachia Zammit (on 8/8/08)

I was just reading about the pair of bee-eaters that bred in the UK in 2002. That was really hilarious. I don’t know why they made such a fuss after all it was ONLY ONE PAIR…two birds. And what about the pair of Snowy Owls in the Shetlands. That was really funny, they made the whole island of Fetlar a reserve just to protect them. It’s only one pair, why bother? Why not do like they do in planet Malta? One, two or three pairs don’t count as breeders. And what about the Osprey in Scotland. They even guarded the first nest 24 hours. Such a fuss it was only ONE Pair after all. What? There is actually a whole population of Ospreys now in Scotland? More than one, two or three pairs now? Well, I don’t know...... maybe it is worth protecting only ONE PAIR after all.

J. Borg (on 8/8/08)

If we all want to have more birds around,
then the only way to shoot them, is with
a camera.
No ifs and no buts!

Alex Ellul (on 8/8/08)

@Sam Agius but especially Andrew Gatt: They don't shoot only wild rabbits but also weasels. Often have I overheard hunters saying so. The reason being that the weasel is their direct competitor.

Alex Ellul (on 8/8/08)

Can all you hunters invite us live-bird lovers to your hunting areas so that we would be able to watch and take photos and videos, on a date and at a time that is best for hunting? When someone tries he is told to **************** and ******* and **** and *********** and ***************

So much for who is taking who for a ride.

Saviour Sam Agius (on 8/8/08)

@Andrew Gatt: The cases I reported happened around 2 months ago if I'm not mistaken, and I'm pretty sure the season was closed at the time. I am also aware of the rabbit hunting season and I'm not complaining about that. Besides, I haven't yet witnessed anyone shooting rabbits but only birds, unless rabbits fly of course.

Andrew Gatt (on 8/8/08)

@Saviour Sam Agius....you may not know it, but the huning season IS currently open - and has been since 1st June.........for wild rabbits. The legal hours are from 2 hours before sunrise till 2 hours after sunset. The 2 areas you mentioned are pretty good for rabbit....dunno about the 'many others".
@A Farrugia.....please go on wondering away! . We just don't have the habitat to support it. I repeat, the odd pair has, will and will continue to nest once in a while. Anything else is a) wishful thinking b) deliberate misinformation.

Given where these and similar fairy tales originate, my money's on option B!!!!

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI (on 8/8/08)

@Saviour Sam Agius.

Thank you for reporting illegalities. This is what all responsible hunters want.

Maybe if the few irresponsible hunters are apprehended. you will leave all those that hunt legally in peace.

Wishful thinking!!!!!

R Galea (on 8/8/08)

Birds do not breed in Malta because they are shot, killed, trapped,massacared, etc by the 16,000+ hunters/trappers that roam our countryside and sea all year round......please give birds a chance

Saviour Sam Agius (on 8/8/08)

The hunting season my be closed, legally, but I still have to stop hearing shootings in the very early hours of the morning and at night in remote places like Miġra Fergħa, Dwejra and many others. I would dare say that hunting at night is quite rampant and I've seen it happening in front of my own eyes.
The cases I speak of have been reported to the police.

A.Farrugia (on 8/8/08)

I particularly like the comment written by Andrew Gatt, most notably, "(apart from the odd pair here and there AS USUAL) ". I wonder if a cessation of shooting would increase the frequency of breeding and maybe over decades the "odd pair" would become the "odd hundred". I am sure the hunters do not expect breeding to explode just over one closed season. The question is, in my opinion, are the breeding numbers on the low side, because of the hunters themselves, amongst other things, like building, the small spaces available, etc.. Because if you are part of the problem, then you are enpowered to solve that part of it.

Antoine Grinma (on 8/8/08)

YEAH SURE.COME TEA TIME THERE WILL BE MILLIONS OF BIRDS FLYING AROUND.How stupid do you think people are?

Andrew Gatt (on 8/8/08)

@ Ray Azzopardi......if you'd like to discuss deception, may I direct you to the experts? Kindly contact Birdlife and ask THEM how many Turtle Doves and Finches have bred in Malta this year. You might even get a reply - they certainly have not replied to my questions despite repeated attempts via email. And, given their track record of lies, misinformation, exaggeration and outrageous claims, had there been an explosion of breeding birds (apart from the odd pair here and there AS USUAL) , we would all be sick to death of the publicity by now! Remember all the fuss and full-page features when 2 (TWO...ONE PAIR!!) Coots nested at Ghadira?

Instead, we have a deafening silence - both from Birdlife AND in Buskett.

John Azzopardi (on 8/8/08)

@Sylvana Zarb Darmanin. Non sequitur ... as usual.

M. Polidano (on 8/8/08)

Mr. Azzoppardi you are right in claiming that you don't see 'hunters prowling the countryside in mid-day heat' coz in a small island like ours hunting is praticed either before or after your workday .. which incidentally was heavily tampered with in the Autumn season by removing the afternoon opportunity of hunting for those who cannot do so in the morning.

However your logic fails to drive your point home; I would assume joe citizen in the street will claim to have seen more birds this year (being the truth or perception due to continuous brainwashing). BUT its not the amount of birds seen that counts .. its the birds that have bred here or became residents the gist of the whole argument by FKNK!

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin (on 8/8/08)

Very well said Mr. Mifsud Bonnici.

As for Mr. Azzopardi, he should know pretty well who took who for a ride! Maybe those who assured hunters that Spring Hunting is to stay!

Furthermore, if he really wants to know whether I felt happier in the countryside this spring, I might disappoint him. No, Mr. Azzopardi, I surely was not happier - having to clear the rubbish left on my property by others who felt 'happier' by going for picnics on other people's property and forgetting to clear away / discard their rubbish properly!!

Chris Galea (on 8/8/08)

Mr Azzopardi ,
If here are no birds it's irrevelant if it's midday,morning or evening,the buskett skies will still remain empty cause there are simply no birds !!!
Many times you don't see birds in early morning during supposed peak time migartion let alone now in mid-summer ! No, it's not the case of the midday heat,it's a case of a little island in the middle of the meditterean that due to it's geographical position,climate and size birds do not breed here,not even years ago when migration was much more abundant.Jumping to such a conclusion shows your ignorance towards the subject or you're probably one of the victims of birdlife & co.!

fred sultana (on 8/8/08)

well said Ray

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI (on 8/8/08)

As Raymond Azzopardi rightly points out, birds hide from the mid day sun.

And where do they hide?

In trees.

And where do you find lots of trees?

In Buskett. Trees, trees nothing but trees. But no Birds.

Not because they where hunted or trapped, because these practices where illegalized this season (2 seasons for trapping)

But because as he rightly points out. Birds escape the mid day sun.

Can he now tell us where these birds go to hide from the mid day sun?

I am quite sure that there choice of breeding grounds are where the mid day sun would not pose such a problem that causes all birds to disappear.

As he also states "I am sure we all know what the answer is." it seems he does not!!

No birds in midday sun

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