Passion for truth in battle over birds

Simon Vella

Apr 7th 2009, 15:36

@ Joe Xuereb
Do you eat Fish, pork, beef, lamb, chicken, rabbits and so many other animals who have no chance to survive compared to the game birds we hunt.
All the creatures I mentioned are raised in captivity and never given a chance to enjoy their freedom like the birds we hunt. If you had to see the way they make them grow by production to supply the market and thicken their pockets with money I think you will open a bit more your mind about our hunting traditions. We do not catch all the game birds that migrate over our country so they have a much greater chance than the ones you eat!!
God created hunting in nature so I do not see anything wrong with the hunters shooting that pheasant out of its glory because it was given a chance to enjoy the wilderness and if you think about what you ate today I am sure you ate something of the creatures I mentioned who never got a nano second of wilderness.

Richard Cachia Zammit

Apr 4th 2009, 21:29

@ M.SAID

This is a very slow process and again, anyone with this idea that a breeding population of birds will pop up overnight is really mistaken. A perfect example are Ospreys in the UK. These birds were wiped out by egg collectors in the late 19th century. The right habitat was there and ospreys frequented these areas whilst on migration and yet it was only in 1959 that a pair decided to breed there. One local example is the little ringed plover. Ghadira nature reserve has been there since the early 80’s. It offered the right habitat for this species and the protection it needed. And yet, 10 years passed before the first pair decided to breed for the first time there. Last year there were at least 6 pairs breeding. Same thing can be said re little grebe at the Simar nature reserve.

Yes with better protection we can have more species of birds breeding here but also with better protection birds will have more chance to breed, be it locally or in their breeding grounds in europe. We shouldn't protect birds only if they breed here.

Richard Cachia Zammit

Apr 4th 2009, 21:16

@ M.SAID

Your reply requires some knowledge about population ecology of birds but first of all NO ONE ever said that ALL the linnets present will breed.

It has been years since the last resident linnets bred here so if someone expects that just because for a few years there was no trapping in spring we should now have a thriving breeding population…well I’m afraid that means lack of knowledge from whoever expects that. All birds have a tendency to return to the breeding grounds where they were hatched so there is a good chance that practically all the linnets that avoided the trappers last autumn and remained here to winter, will eventually leave. Almost every year, a pair or two decide to breed here. Even if this pair manages to raise a brood, that does not guarantee that eventually we will have a breeding population of this species. The success depends mainly on the survival of the young the following year. If any of the young survive, the chances are more likely that they will attempt to breed here. The more young hatch, the more survive the following year and the more likelihood of them breeding here.

D. Cachia

Apr 4th 2009, 20:22

Thank you Joe Lia for this letter. Pre-emptively I must state that I am neither a hunter nor a trapper. Yet I can see clearly who is in the right in this issue. BirdLife employs deceitful tactics, and frequently resorts to emotional calls to "reclaim our countryside" - as if hunters ever stopped anyone from going for a walk! The public is being bombarded with puerile and pathetic attempts at commiseration and anthropomorphization of birds.

The hunters, on the other hand - all they want is to practice their hobby, handed down from generation to generation. Why shouldn't sustainable hunting be allowed? Please do not insult my intelligence and claim that sustainable hunting is impossible. I am not a brainwashed puppet, doing someone else's bidding without realising their true intentions.

And tourists not coming to Malta because of hunting? Please! How stupid do you think we are? So tourists can go to a million other places in the world to watch all kinds of birds, but they would come here to Malta if only we stopped spring hunting? Hah!

Once again, BirdLife, please stop insulting our intelligence.

Richard Cachia Zammit

Apr 4th 2009, 20:13

@ joseph lia

Just to let you know that Kestrels even breed in large cities. A few years ago, I myself witnessed a pair which were breeding in the cathedral of Metz in France. Now Metz is much larger than Linosa and definitely more populated. The fact is that both in Metz and in Linosa these birds are not KILLED.

Richard Cachia Zammit

Apr 4th 2009, 20:11

@ Fabian Borg

You should know that the habitat dictates the number of breeding pairs, so on Linosa for example, there are as many breeding pairs of linnets as the island can support. So??? If an island cannot support thousands of pairs due to its size, does that mean that we should decimate the population?

As for finches breeding in aviaries…GOOD….so definitely there is no excuse to keep on trapping wild birds.

Richard Cachia Zammit

Apr 4th 2009, 20:09

@ Fabian Borg

Maybe you should keep on browsing because if you just look up linosa and fanello (Italian for Linnet) or linosa and gheppio (Italian for kestrel) you will surely get results. But apart from that I have visited Linosa and have a good idea of what breeds there.

1. We are talking about a resident population of linnets so your ‘theory’ of being closer to the main central migration etc etc does not apply. These birds are not migrants but are found all year round. Apart from that, do you want us to believe that linnets are something scarce here in Malta???? You know very well that we do have our share of migrating linnets and it is not a matter of a few.
2. Yes human interference in the wild is less probable because the people of Linosa don’t have the habit of trapping the linnets to put them in cages.

Richard Cachia Zammit

Apr 4th 2009, 19:23

@Joe Camilleri

Seems as if you are still unable to grasp the concept that birds spend different periods of the year in different parts of the world. And judging from the fact that your knowledge about our breeding birds is limited to sparrows and Valletta pigeons, I doubt if you’ll ever manage to understand.

@ Gary Bonnici

Hellloooo…we don’t have rivers, steams, lakes and mountains but Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt DO, and just the same white wagtails leave these countries to move up north just as they do here in Malta….GET IT. I only mentioned one species, the white wagtail and yet you said that I admitted that migrating birds don’t stay and breed here in Malta. Is the white wagtail the only bird that migrates here? Seems like it from your conclusion.

There are migratory species such as the Turtle Dove, Quail, Kestrel, Linnet, Serin plus others which ACTUALLY tried to breed here on more than one occasion. So YES, with better protection there is a good chance that such species will breed in our islands. This is what Birdlife is saying as for the “thousands” I invite you to show me where Birdlife ever mentioned such numbers.

John Matthews

Apr 4th 2009, 15:32

@Robert Caruana

BRAVO!

I ENDORSE YOUR STATEMENT ENTIRELY

Robert Caruana

Apr 4th 2009, 12:24

@J.Borg

1. First of all, neither I nor any of my buddies or family are hunters.

2. Whether you like it or not or whether you agree with it or not, a legally practiced tradition, handed over from one generation to another and that is an important aspect of the culture and social life of a substantial minority of the rural population is a socio-cultural tradition.

3. If deliberately or otherwise misinforming a significant section of Maltese citizens prior to something so important as EU membership does not bother you, it does bother me.

4. I do a lot of walking in the countryside in Spring and throughout much of the year(perhaps like you do) and therefore will personally enjoy it more without hunters around. But I do not agree with trying to drive hunters away from the countryside they have been enjoying for generations just for my benefit. I believe that it is possible for law abiding hunters and the non-hunting public to co-exist and both enjoy the countryside in their own way.

Joe Xuereb

Apr 4th 2009, 08:37

To all those who defend their right to kill birds for pleasure, as a blood sport - you sound like the alcoholic who defends his right to drink alcohol because it harms no one. It does in fact. It affects all those around him. The addict of course is a past master at rationalisation. And yes, bull-fighting in Spain is disgusting. And bear-baiting. And dog fights. As are cock fights. As well as the indiscriminate consumption of animal carcasses in spite of clear evidence that such consumption is detrimental to one's health.

salvu abela

Apr 3rd 2009, 22:57

I would like to ask people like C.Mallia and R.C.Z.,since on Comino and Cominetto no trapping and hunting is allowed do passerines,or finches,turtle doves or birds of prey breed there.That place is sure where no shooting and trapping haven`t been done for years.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 3rd 2009, 21:34

Mr /Ms L Mercieca, are you seriously unaware as to "who misinforms people is it birdlife or the hunters?"?

Well, the bird appearing in the picture is a pheasant which does not migrate! The tree appearing on the left is not native to Malta! The attire worn by the shooter is not used in Malta!

Does this convince you as to who misinforms the public?

WE AWAIT YOUR CLARIFICATION / EXCUSE!!!

J. Borg

Apr 3rd 2009, 21:30

Dear Simon

What's the ratio between hunters and the rest of the population (forget tourists)?

What's the ratio between the areas where hunting is outlawed and the area where it is not?

Guess the distortion is evident.

Pretending that in Spring hunters have any right to practically shoot away (indirectly I mean!) the public from the countryside is neither social nor cultural.

You have all the right to enjoy the countryside of course......as long as you learn how to enjoy it like the rest of the population (and here i'm excluding the dirty types)

Anton Portelli

Apr 3rd 2009, 21:21

@ J.Borg
Mr. borg what about the fireworks blasts during village festas throughout the whole summer? Aren't these more loud than shotgun shots? Don't these annoy him with the continous bangs. What about the number of persons killed or injured in the manufacture of these fireworks - certainly it is much higher than shooting accidents.
If he is worrying about lead in the environment then i suggest that he worry more about the other polluting chemicals in the atmosphere. Once lead falls in the environment the pellets soon become covered by a layer of highly insoluble lead carbonate which prevents further reaction and seals off the metallic lead.
Mr Borg I can tell without any doubt that it is much safer having hundreds or thousands of registered shotguns around our homes than having fireworks enthusiasts working in basements and or garages.

David Delmar

Apr 3rd 2009, 20:19

Let's stop this nonsnse once and for all.Promises should be kept by whoever makes them especially if such promises are made by head of states etc.

If such promises can't be kept no one should make them so stop blaming hunters and trappers and for once blame the ones that made such false promises because tomorrow you can be the ones that head of states laugh at !

Joe Xuereb

Apr 3rd 2009, 19:51

@ L. Mercieca. BirdLife may or may not tell lies. But for factors with a high degree of certainty, one may look no further than hunters who kill birds.
When will it sink in that it is not a question of how many birds are shot and killed. One, or a thousand, or fifty (thousand). The number matters not. Birds should not be wantonly killed.
Comparing tiny Malta's insignificant catches to those in larger countries is a childish rationalisation. It is amazing that so many are ready to devote time and energy to their right to kill birds when this tiny country of hours s beleaguered by so many more serious problems.
Such is the strength of addiction I guess. Unshakeable. Unrelenting. And only reasons when it suits.
The piicture (location unidentified) show a bird in glorious flight. a nano second before it was blasted out of the sky.

Simon Vella

Apr 3rd 2009, 19:45

@ J Borg
your just trying to beat around the bush,yes we hunt in places were hunting may be practised, when the hunting season is open! What are you trying to say now that we should restrict our hunting grounds? Arent we Maltese citizens just like you and have we not the right to enjoy our country just as much as you? that is why there are reserves and restricted places were we cant hunt, so that others who are not hunters can go enjoy the countryside and birdwatching there, with same reasoning, we cant go hunting there, I gave you a good example of Buskett which was originated as a hunting place. In my opinion the government should allow hunting there too until a certain time eg 9am so that we too will have a chance to enjoy Buskett, like Birdwatchers and everyone else is allowed in places taken care off by FKNK such as Mizieb and l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha, were they leave a mess behind them everytime not to mention broken branches, ashes remains from BBQ's and garbage everywere, rubble walls damaged etc.
sir dont forget that many hunter own their own land too!!

John Matthews

Apr 3rd 2009, 19:17

"Passion for the TRUTH in battle of the birds"

The truth is that the Hunter/Trappers have been betrayed by the government. Does Birdlife Malta and the public acknowledge this? there's plenty of evidence.

If so, perhaps their own hobbies or passions will be the next to come under scrutiny.

J. Borg

Apr 3rd 2009, 18:50

@ R. Caruana
No brownies awarded for being against shooting protected birds - hope we're past that
Agreed about Spring ban - hope you convince your friends
EU info - we have commented ad nausium about it...
Socio-cultural nonesense again...what is social & cultural about shooting in public & killing baffles me!

Re families & tourists in the countryside in Spring.....there you have your social & cultural buzzwords again - cause ourselves and our kids have grown up taking for granted that in Spring the countryside is the reign of hunters - however I personally (towards the northern part of the islands) am seeing increasing bumber of families and tourists enjoying the countryside (esp afternoons) and above allowing others to peacefully appreciate it as well

@ Simon Vella
Thanks for proving my point re hunting everywhere except for.....rather than hunting only at!

Jeremy J Camilleri

Apr 3rd 2009, 18:49

If the birds are only short time visitors in Malta, all the more reason to leave them be so that everyone can enjoy them. SImple logic is it not?

As for the issue in hand, well, the truth is that the hunter's and trappers where victims of the Government's lies rather than Birdlife!!!

No use crying over spilt milk.....

C Mallia

Apr 3rd 2009, 18:21

@Joe Lia

Common sense has finally prevailed, Mr Lia, which is that birds coming back to Europe, to breed, now stand a better chance of surviving.

M.SAID

Apr 3rd 2009, 18:06

@RCZ
" I wonder why these species don't manage to breed here?" What or WHO are you blaming????
Pls answer this questions........what happened to 100 or more linnets(tal post) that were near my field(even some serins)???? Where are these birds now? In the first half of march all vanished. AND DONT TELL ME THAT TRAPPERS CAUGHT THEM.
Why have these birds joined other linnets that arrived from africa to europe???? Like you say these linnets should have remained here in Malta to breed but why not?
And you mention Linosa and Lampedusa. Why dont you tell the public the difference in population density between Malta and these 2 islands??????
And A last question....why no linnets are breeding in Malta now that there is no more spring trapping for 3 years now.
I am eagelry waiting for your answers as it seems that you have all the answers everytime!!!!

Fabian Borg

Apr 3rd 2009, 17:30

@ RCZ.

Same old Linosa/Lampedusa Story only now you included Kestrels too. Probably knowing that Kestrels hunt small birds so the Linnets are also helping in sustaining the Kestrel population in Linosa always according to your theories.
Here are some reasons you might want to consider hoping you are open for ideas from someone who does not adhere to your position. This while hoping your statements are true as browsing -Linosa Nesting Birds- one only finds the Cory Shearwater as the major inhabitant of Linosa. Back to the possible reasons.

1. Geographical position. Lampedusa and Linosa are eastbound and hence closer to the Main Central Mediterranean migratory flyway so that alone increases the chances of a bird passing from there thus increasing the percentage of birds deciding to stop there.

2. Human Population/Activity. These Islands do not have the population density of Malta hence Human interferance in the wild is less probable.

Now can you please educate us about the actual number of breeding pairs of Linnets and Kestrels in Linosa. I am really interested to know probably like many of the readers of this virtual portal.

PS. Finches have been breeding in Malta for decades in AVIARIES..........

joseph lia

Apr 3rd 2009, 16:39

The picture in question IS NOT TAKEN IN MALTA, check out the landscape (you abolishinists are so wanting to 'reclaim')! The flying bird is a PHEASANT.....common on the European mainland not in Malta.
@RCZ...yes sir there are birds which ,winter, summer residents migrant (passage) birds but when you compare breeding Kestrels and Linnets on Linosa and Lampedusa, just to let you know Lampedusa has 6000 inhabitants thus equalling 124 p/kmsq and Malta has 400,000 inhabitants equalling 1300p/kmsq, I wonder why these species do not breed localy????

Robert Caruana

Apr 3rd 2009, 16:15

@ J.Borg

I am competely against the shooting of protected birds. I also think that spring hunting is not compatible with conservation. On the other hand I can never agree with the way hunters were grossly misinformed by those entrusted with the duty of informing the Maltese public about what EU membership entails. And yes, irrespective of whether one approves of it or not, hunting is a socio-cultural tradition for a significant sector of the local population.

@ J. Borg

I beg to question one of the points you have raised. It is true that during hunting season, the countryside is full of hunters, on all days of the week and at most times of the day (except on Sunday afternoon). However, throughout closed season, including last Spring when no hunting was allowed, the countryside seems more or less deserted except perhaps on Sundays. So I very much doubt your assertion that the tourists and families who want to enjoy the countryside make up a larger number than hunters. It seems that the latter are far more keen to enjoy the countryside than most of the non-hunting public!

Simon Vella

Apr 3rd 2009, 15:41

@J Borg (cont)
As to noise of shotgun blasts, I ask you, do you know of anyone who was harmed with noise pollution due to shotgun blasts? I dont, If you do, let us know and please provide evidence. If you want to speak of noise pollution what should we do with cars, airoplanes, heavy machinery, Loud music especially in nightlife places, fireworks etc. are you suggesting that we ban all these? I hate waking up with the loud bangs of fireworks during the time of feasts but I am tollerant enough to live in a society and tollerate others who enjoy things that maybe are not my choice, so what. No man is an island and have to learn to live in a community and accept others as diversity makes us indivduals and an interesting society.

Simon Vella

Apr 3rd 2009, 15:35

@J Borg
Sir I suggest that you go and update your information about consolidatin a number of hunting zones, we already have, we cannot go hunting anywere we want. Natural reserves, cemetries, off urban areas, roads, airfields, places like Buskett which was originated for hunting, and we cant use it at least until a certain time, and about 800 meters perimeter, those are all resitricted areas were hunting cannot be practices, so what are you saying that we should suggest to reduce our limited hunting grounds? Besides we do not hunt 365 days a year. We hunt when the season is open and another thing you should keep in mind is that we cannot open the season for a particular species for 2 weeks and close it because we depend on the migration of birds.
How many nests did you see since last spring hunting was not permitted and how many birds stayed here?
It is all a farse that we are reducing the number of birds staying here as only 0.004% of the migrating birds fly over Malta! European ornitologists said this not FKNK.

Gary Bonnici

Apr 3rd 2009, 15:26

So Mr.Richard Cachia Zammit, you are admiting that migrating birds don't stay and breed here in Malta. Than why Birdlife Malta always pictured the scene that if spring hunting is banned, thousands of birds will breed here???

We have already experianced this last year, with no spring hunting and trapping season. But till summer arrived, nothing was left here. It wasn't the hunters or trappers that vanished the birds from the islands, but nature itself. The birds continued to migrate further North.

Mr.Richard Cachia Zammit, it was in fact you that said birds cannot stay here in Malta because we have no rivers, streams, lakes and mountains. And if you think that hunters have no knowledge of birds then you're absolutely wrong, since in fact it is the people that are being brainwashed by Birdlife that have absolutely no knowledge about birds!

Joe Camilleri

Apr 3rd 2009, 15:24

@ Richard Cachia Zammit
wintering range or no wintering range, don't tell it to me ( although i asked it, it was a rethorical question ), but tell it to BIRDLIFE since it is they who really don't know the answer and they are obssesed that without hunting and trapping, birds will breed here. Although they pose as professional ornithologists.
But thanks the same for proving FKNK right that birds do not stay on this barren land except for the sparrow and the valletta piegon (both feed on scraps left by people)

@l Mercieca
I think it is more people like you who misinforms the public.
1) So could you please tell us the place
2) and I bet that you do not even know the type of bird displayed. If you don't know, ask birdlife they could also try to convince you that it used to breed here.
PLEASE REPLY ASAP

Richard Cachia Zammit

Apr 3rd 2009, 15:18

@Johann Cutajar

Helllooo....Mr Camilleri asked about a certain species of bird. I'm sure you know that there are various species of birds. Some are resident, some are migrants, some are summer visitors and some are wintering birds just like the species in question. This species does not breed and flourish here in Malta just as it doesn't breed and flourish in other Mediterranean countries such as Tunisia and Algeria. Why, because in this area of the globe, it only winters. GET IT???? But maybe you should know that there are other species of birds such as Kestrels and Linnets which manage to flourish in islands around us which are smaller than Gozo, such as Linosa and Lampedusa. I wonder why these species don't manage to breed here?

Martin Polidano

Apr 3rd 2009, 15:10

Mr.Lia ... we legal hunters will ride on don't worry. Passion can never be killed. Nobody can make us believe otherwise. We have ample proof that our cause is reasonable and sustainable. Useless discussing with deaf people .. with people like Mr.Mercieca and Mr.Aquilina living in cockoos land (sic) and all the exaggerations coming from BLM .. can you even try to explain anything to them. Who cares that Barns do not exist anymore nowadays (probably a home cinema of some converted farmhouse!) and who cares that buying a FH in the middle of fields included waking up to shots early in the morning with the contract. Some of these people dont even recognize maltese landscape and vegetation let alone how versant they are with bird migration over our islands.

For those who do not try to understand our cause, its useless wasting time, energy and space. Iz-zejt dejjem jitla f'wicc l-ilma!!

antonio camilleri

Apr 3rd 2009, 15:05

am i a eu member?
do the other eu members go hunting in spring?
yes thay do and so do i have the right.i am going on 9th april to the uk.
so this means that we are second class eu citicen.
thanks

Simon Vella

Apr 3rd 2009, 15:00

@Carmelo Aquilina
Tourists would be flocking to our shores to see the Peregrine Falcons...dont be rediculous! We have so much to offer to tourists who come visit our beautiful island, historical sites, churches, museums, old cities, beautiful beaches, the sun our traditional culture etc and you are saying they flock to see the Falcons? ha ha ha very funny! Besides another thing they come here for its because its safe never mind " thousands of shotguns in our streets and near our homes!" that J Borg mentioned...maybe the thousands of tourists flocking to our country you were refuring for are the illegal immigrants. Tourists are choosing other destinations because Malta has become very expensive and not value for money ,we are amongst the 10 most expensivecountries if I am correct, as reportedon the news a week ago.
Rest assure that that photoe is not in Malta...I have never seen a pheasant flying in Malta, if you didnt recognise the landscape and scenery, unless who said its Malta is not Maltese maybe.
Grow up and learn to be tollerant and respect others who have rights like you and we have to learn to share what we have all together.

Johann Cutajar

Apr 3rd 2009, 14:46

@ Richard Cachia Zammit

....I see, so the birds do leave our islands.... They do not breed and flourish here in Malta?? Because I was of the impression that if the birds weren't hunted or trapped they stayed and bred on the islands for us all to enjoy while having our walks in the countryside, at least that's how birdlife used to picture it!

Fabian Borg

Apr 3rd 2009, 13:57

Not that it makes any difference but dear Mr/Ms lmercieca can you indicate the location in Malta that picture represents ?

I await your reply.

lmercieca

Apr 3rd 2009, 12:38

Maybe one should also keep in mind tah we are not living in the times of the bible as this writer is referring to quail from the bible.......

@ Joe Camilleri - you are very wrong that picture is taken in Malta,

i ask who misinforms people is it birdlife or the hunters?

Richard Cachia Zammit

Apr 3rd 2009, 11:40

@Joe Camilleri

I have already replied to your question and seems as if I have to reply again. One has to point out that asking such a question implies that one is not exactly knowledgable about birds. So Mr Camilleri, we are in the wintering range of this species just like other much larger countries in the Mediterranean such as Algeria and Tunisia. Now that spring is approaching they leave their wintering quarters to return to their breeding grounds. In Algeria and Tunisia they do have rivers, streams, lakes and even mountains and yet, just like in Malta, the white wagtails leave these countries as spring arrives. Get it....our islands are part of their WINTERING RANGE just like other countries bordering the Mediterranean which are much larger than Malta.

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Apr 3rd 2009, 11:38

All together the islands make up a mere 316sq km. of which 118 are huntable area. Malta is the largest island only 27KM at its longest point from the northwest to southeast, and 14.5km at its widest point, from west to east.

A recent survey by Birdlfie Malta carried out for the publication of their Breeding Bird Atlas lists 29 breeding birds and 8 other possibles. This survey conducted using approved methods recorded a total of over 54,000 birds. This works out at 170 birds per square kilometer and still the article in the Times carrying this information is headed as "ONCE WE HAD BIRDS"

This survey was carried out during the peak of spring migration when hunting was suspended. Where are the millions of birds hunters are accused of killing? Indeed millions never existed and never will.

J. Borg

Apr 3rd 2009, 11:27

Mr. Lia is overlooking one important point – albeit he indirectly amplified it - Malta’s population density VS ever limited countryside.

Apart from criminal-hunters shooting protected birds – who are just “not protected”, rather than hunted out by FKNK – hunting induces the clash between:
(say 17,000) hunters shooting in the countryside 24x7 bar Sunday’s afternoons, and
(a much larger number) of families+tourists who strive to enjoy same countryside peacefully+safely.

Claiming hunters have a free-hand on “their” land – exposes the problem whether such land is actually private, and the FACT that shooting from one’s land affects a wider area than its' perimeter.

The overlap and clash is evident – thus if hunters want to stand a chance to persist in their activity (pls stop this “socio-cultural-traditional nonsense”!) they should come with proposals aimed at
consolidating a number of hunting-zones (rather than the current free-for-all-everywhere), and
reducing hunting to the early hours of the morning (rather than all day long).

Then the public might be ready to tolerate the lead being spread around these hunting-zones, the noise of shotgun blasts, and the worrying fact that there are thousands of shotguns in our streets and near our homes!

Carmelo Aquilina

Apr 3rd 2009, 10:47

Oh please, not more nonsense about "sustainable": hunting or "centuries old socio-cultural traditions"
Hunting has killed off most of the breeding bird population in Malta thanks to unchecked shototing. The Barn Owl is one example of a local population that was killed off in my lifetime after numerous warnings that the species was in delcine. What did the FKNK do about it - ? Nothing ! How sustainable is that ? Insisting on killing birds during their breeding season is a similar unsustainable practice which no other European hunting organisation has supported.

Secondly if we are talking about "centuries old socio-cultural traditions" Malta was once world famous for its Peregrine Falcons. The last breeding pair of the 'Maltese Falcon' was wiped out by our gun wielding 'conservationsists' in Gozo again within living memory despite this bird being a traditional symbol of Malta and part of our history and world culture. Tourists would be flocking to our shores where it still breeding here. Does the FKNK respect that part of our culture and tradition? Of course not , it is strong on rights and gives lip service to responsibilities.

Joe Camilleri

Apr 3rd 2009, 10:18

I would like to ask Birdlife Malta what happened to the 8000 wagtails, that were roosting in Valletta. Did they stay here? although they were not 'harnessed' by any trappers.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090127/local/more-white-wagtails-roosting-in-valletta

P.S. the picture in this article was not taken in Malta