Birdwatchers in Malta

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 13th 2009, 20:17

Mr /Ms P Zammit, could you please amplify as to what you mean by: "in the outdoors"? Does this mean that you are not bothered if someone is spying on you while you are in your garden or drive-in? Do you honestly enjoy being watched upon while on your private property? Maybe even being photographed without your permission! Sorry Sir/Madam, I expect others to respect my privacy, even more so if these happen to be foreigners whose agenda is to exaggerate the illegal hunting issue and tarnishing the image of our dear Malta!

P.Zammit

Apr 13th 2009, 14:28

Madam,

I see what you are trying to say, however, please note, if these foreigners are going to do anything illegal, like traspessing etc. into private property, do not shy away from calling 112. You have a right to enjoy your private property (alone).

What I was trying to say was that these people are not breaking any law, coming here with binoculars, monitoring the situation. Honestly madam, I don't have a problem having people watching what I do (in the outdoors of course), with the proviso that I am acting within the law. If I was doing something unlawful, I am sure I would break hell against the "spies". Please don't interpret me as saying that all hunters and trappers are doing illegal things. As with everything you get people that do so and others that don't. The fact that they are out of sight in the fields makes things a little more questionable - you know what happens when we expect self regulation without watching things out. Tendency is that law breakers tend to be on the high side. But this is beyond the point. No problem with people watching over me - I am being honest.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 13th 2009, 11:54

Mr /Ms P Zammit, would you enjoy anyone spying on you in your private life, even if you are acting lawfully? I am not a hunter nor a trapper but a law-abiding citizen who enjoy spending time in the countryside on my private property and HATE anyone intruding on my privacy!

As for your "these good people come here), then the message you are sending is that you have something to hide. ", what do you mean by this? Can you vouch for these GOOD people? Could it be that THEY are hiding something?! Are these foreigners being armed against the Maltese Hunters?! Come on, Sir / Madam, let us have your reply! I hope you will not shy away from these questions!

A.Farrugia

Apr 13th 2009, 10:33

Mr. Pisani,

I have no problem protesting against and have done so, bull fighting in spain, whaling in Japan, etc. I cannot really understand your point. When something is wrong it is wrong. Whether the law permits this or not. E.g. Capital punishment is allowed in the U.S. (amongst other countries), do you mean to tell me that I should shut up and let go, just because this is allowed by their law?
Mr. Pisani, I am sure you mean well, however I cannot agree with your closing comments, as otherwise we will start having countries enacting laws that work out against anything and according to you we should stand still. What about global warming, should we protest against polluting countries (India, China, USA, Brazil), their laws permit screwing up the ozone and it is also affecting us.

martin pisani

Apr 13th 2009, 00:02

Mr James, you mis understood my point totally, I for one was a member of the RSPB and also the YOC, both clubs where protection of birds is carried out, I also go bird watching, both here in Malta and in the UK, also in slovakia only a few months ago, what im stating is that i cannot understand why foreigners come to malta to protest when they have more problems of their own back in their own countries...I would totally understand Maltese protesting against Maltese, we all have a right but doesnt open the doors to outsiders throwing stones when their own glass windows could quite easily be smashed...last time i was in the uk i saw with my own eyes cruelty carried out...but for one would never dream of lobbying against it, if its allowed by law then be it

carmel james

Apr 12th 2009, 21:08

to m.pisani

what do you mean 'maltese against maltese' ? i am maltese, have been birdwatching in the maltese islands for the past 27 years, have witnessed all sort of bird species being shot throughout the years and have been taunted and harassed regularly by 'some' hunters because i carry binoculars. And you say thats fair enough. Whats fair? Now we have foreigners, so what.

P.Zammit

Apr 12th 2009, 20:21

Never really understood what you're so scared of ? I mean, if you obey the law then having foreign birdy watchers should be no issue - should it ?

If it is (which it seems to be, judging by the comments seen here ever year when these good people come here), then the message you are sending is that you have something to hide.

P Borg

Apr 12th 2009, 20:03

Foreigners come over to raise awareness of hunting because Maltese people are too scared to say anything themselves. We live in a culture of fear...

martin pisani

Apr 12th 2009, 19:31

Well well well, when r we Maltese gonna get together and travel to other EU countries to voice our opinion on their own barbaric past times? Now lets see...uuummm...Yes, UK...fox hunting..with electronic fox calls of course, oh and pigeons, squirells(yes those lovely cute long tailed rats), crows, magpies,jays,DOVES, and now Canada Geese...all with electronic decoys for a better bag,after a days shooting we can boycott it all again at night when they also trap,shoot and lurch for more. Trapping in UK not allowed??? where do the live decoys come from in larsen traps?(do they drop from the sky?)

So shall we get together and rally? I dont think so,....but wiat a second..whats that??? oh...advertising of abortions on T.V in the UK.

Lets get real please, maltese against maltese thats fair enough, foreigners against maltese....get a life please..in ur own back yard!!!!

Madalene Caruana

Apr 12th 2009, 19:22

IT HAS BEEN AL LONG TIME TRADITION SPRING HUNTING IN MALTA.HOW COME SPANISH BIRD WATCHERS,COME IN OUR COUNTRY TELL US HOW AND WHAT TO DO,WHEN IN THEIR COUNTRY AS A TRADITION THEY MASSACRE BULLS FOR PLEASURE AND FUN.WHILE THEY MAKE A FUSS ,OF US PRACTICE OUR TRADITIONS.

N. Attard

Apr 12th 2009, 15:51

God help these bird lovers from the local 'Rambo's' who believe that having a licenced shotgun means freedom to do whatever you like in the countryside. I am sure that some kind of intimidation against them is already being planned. Not all hunters are like that but unfortunately that percentage puts a dark shadow on the whole hunting community.

Kevin Francica

Apr 12th 2009, 14:37

All scientific data and studies conducted so far have definetly concluded that Malta is NOT one of the three main migratory flyways used by birds.
Happy Easter to ALL.

Joe Camilleri

Apr 12th 2009, 11:59

"Malta is on one of the three main migratory flyways used by birds to travel between their African wintering grounds and European breeding grounds" another false statment from Birdlife.

If this is so, then how come Birdlife malta never make any documentaries to show us the thousands of flocks of birds that we usually see in other countries and where hunting is permitted? but instead they make a fuss when a common 10 bird flock happens to pass over barren Malta.

http://www.timesofmalta.com.mt/articles/view/20090322/local/spectacular-sight-at-ghadira/
http://www.timesofmalta.com.mt/articles/view/20090411/local/birdlife-spring-watch-camp-opens/