Illegal hunting still significant in the Med - BirdLife
This kestrel, found in Mizieb, is the latest victim of illegal hunting in Malta. This is the 24th shot protected bird received by BirdLife Malta this year. Photo: Geoffrey Saliba.
Illegal hunting is still a significant problem on the Mediterranean portion of the European-African migratory flyway, results published today from spring migration and anti-poaching camps run by the Maltese and Italian BirdLife partners revealed.
BirdLife Malta’s spring watch camp in April recorded 2,699 shots during a two-week period, with 596 shots recorded on the April 23.
It said that while illegal hunting incidents declined by around 11 percent compared to the previous year, the problem was still widespread, particularly in the south of Malta and in areas where birds of prey concentrated in the late afternoon.
Birdlife Italy’s camp on the Reggio Calabria side of the Straits of Messina had three poachers denounced by the Italian wildlife crime unit, the Corpo Forestale. It also ran camps in the four Sicilian islands of Pantelleria, Marettimo, Panarea and Ustica to record raptor’s spring migration.
In a statement, Birdlife Malta referred to a recent comment by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi that a wild life crime unit within the police force was not necessary.
“Dr Gonzi is clearly trying to undermine the true scale of illegal hunting in Malta by dismissing our calls for a wild life crime unit, in spite of the fact that the situation in terms of bird conservation is disastrous in the Maltese islands.
“Malta continues to be the only country in Europe without a pair of breeding birds of prey, including the locally extinct Maltese (Peregrine) falcon, the last pair of which was shot at Ta’Cenc in 1982,” Andre Raine, BirdLife Malta conservation manager said.
The Italian and Maltese conservation camps also focused on the importance of raptor migration over the Mediterranean Sea. In Italy and the four Sicilian islands 17 species of raptor (birds of prey) were recorded during the camps, the majority of which were honey-buzzards.
In Malta, 81 migratory species, including 12 species of raptor, were recorded. Significant numbers of marsh and montagu’s harriers were counted, as well as several rare or globally threatened species, such as lesser kestrel, listed as vulnerable on the Global IUCN Red List, and pallid harrier, classified as endangered on the European IUCN Red List.
These results highlighted the importance of the Messina Straights and the Mediterranean islands for raptor migration, Birdlife said.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
41 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
M.SAID
May 29th 2009, 16:01
@S.Azzopardi
AND BTW WHERE IN MY COMMENT I SAID THAT I AM AN EXPERT WITH BIRDS OF PREY IN MY HAND??????????? I WAS REFFERING TO BIRDLIFE MEMBERS FOR YOUR INFORMATION.
SAME OLD TACTICS...........ACCUSING US HUNTERS AND BEFORE THROWING ANY ACCUSATIONS READ MY COMMENTS CAREFULLY!!!!!!!!!
I AM WAITING FOR YOUR APOLOGY.
M.SAID
May 29th 2009, 12:57
@s.Azzoppardi
whay are you trying to implicate by the last phrase in your comment??????????????????????????? Are you accusing me of something perhaps??????
S Azzopardi
May 29th 2009, 09:40
M. Said
That bird is a common kestrel, and this is based not only on the colours of the claws, which are clearly black but also on plumage details... and congratulations on having a bird book, I happen to have several hundreds.
Just for clarity's sake, this is what lesser kestrel claws look like: http://k53.pbase.com/o6/36/748736/1/78875720.aV0xNBvR.Femminadigrillaio3.jpg
ANd incidentally Mr. Said, how come ure such an expert at identifying birds of prey in the hand?????
M.SAID
May 28th 2009, 15:15
@Ian Balzan................
Asit seems you are a professional in this matter......I see the tshirt black but what colour are the claws compared to the tshirt???????????? dark yellowish to brown but definately not black!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even from the size of the bird one easily says that it is a lesser kestrel unless this guy has 10 inch hands which I doubt.
I say again.... its a female LESSER KESTREL. So I dont need to buy a book as I already have one but I suggest that you buy a pair of glasses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its amazing how you call yourselves ornithologists and dont even recognize a lesser from a kestrel in hands!!!!!!!!!!!!! Imagine how you recognize the birds in flight!!!!!!!! HAHAHA.
I would like other ideas from serious ornithologists regarding this bird.
Andrew Gatt
May 28th 2009, 14:14
@ William Winter, how full of spite and venom you seem to be. No law-abiding hunters shoot protected species, raptors included. Yet poachers exist in any country - including yours. Malta is no exception - but the few incidents are widely sensationalised and Birdlife's bait is swallowed hook, line and sinker. To bleat out such an insulting and generalist comment says more about YOU than anything else. If you want a slanging match, there's a lot more I'd like to tell you, but believe me, it's all unprintable.
@ Chris Finch....I thought you said you've decided to stop your contributions! But I guess since you've got into religion, when I go to hell for my sins in shooting and eating game, I'll have plennnty of company - Birdlife executives, CABS members, EU negotiators, ex-Prime Ministers etc etc.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 28th 2009, 13:09
Mr William Winter, it appears that you are the coward!! Being faced with factual comments, you invented: "killing Raptors". I challenge you Sir to substantiate your statement that those commenting below condoned the killing of raptors in any way!
Saint Chris Finch, "Don't do unto others what you don't wish others to do unto you". So please, before stepping "foot in a church" start respecting, tolerating and loving your co-citizens!!
D.Caruana
May 28th 2009, 10:47
To William Winter.
Tell us please!! Who out of all the people that commented has condoned killing of raptors?
get a life!!
alex casha
May 27th 2009, 22:40
I knew what was going to happen.and this statement came out because CABS did state that a minimal of illegal shooting did take place this spring.but after they left,
the same old story, BIRDLIFE s tale again.
Your issue now does not count anymore,you did make shame on MALTA in general once but never twice
William Winter
May 27th 2009, 22:39
what strange cowards are many who posted here. killing Raptors is the act of a coward. Hunters in general are cowards, weak people without souls. Men with guns instead of a life.
Jason Borg
May 27th 2009, 21:34
@M. Said and the rest - now, now, boys! Don't be greedy. You have been given a long break from 1st February till the end of August, not to mention the afternoons of the second half of September. If you need more breaks, just go on hiding your fellow hunters` shamful acts. And you will not be disappointed.
D.Caruana
May 27th 2009, 21:03
To Micheal Sammut.
Fair enough.
You are undoubtably more of an expert on the subject than I am. Granted.
I have only seen a Peregrine twice in all my life and I do spend a fair share of my time out in the country side.
Still I find it hard to beleive that raptors could breed in what Malta has become.
Years ago, Malta was much less populated leaving space for these magnificent creatures to roam.
That is my personal opinion.
Time will tell.
Chris Finch
May 27th 2009, 20:55
To all those that kill for pleasure - God will judge you. There is absolutely no need to hunt these days, other than for the sheer perverted pleasure in taking life. And dont give me any of the poppycock that you hunt for the pot, because if you want to eat quail or whatever, you can buy it from the supermarket.
Lets not beat about the bush, you hunt because you like to kill. Well I am sure that many of you will answer to this post, but really, I would save your arguments for when you have to answer before God.
Thou shalt not kill. - I hope no hunter is hypocritical enough to step foot in a church.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 27th 2009, 20:34
Ms Sonya Pecorella, if you are still not a member of BirdLife, I assure you will definitely be welcomed with open arms. You happen to possess the requisite of EXAGERRATION!! Come on, Madam, please show some respect towards the intelligence of serious readers!!
Well, after CABS exposed the lies and exagerrations of BirdLife Malta, they had to come up with something! CABS report served as a blow!!
"BirdLife Malta’s spring watch camp in April recorded 2,699 shots during a two-week period, with 596 shots recorded on the April 23." Can BirdLife elaborate whether these recordings refer to Malta alone? Alternatively, was it deceitfully omitted to mention that these figures reflect the European-African migratory flyway?
I believe that following comments submitted online regarding BirdLife and Co's unjustly tarnishing Malta's image. this organisation decided to stay quiet for some time, so as to quieten things a bit. It has now rec-commenced its non-factual attacks!
Ray Mangani
May 27th 2009, 20:31
To Sonia Pecorella
Do yu know that it is the peek breeding period and probably the birds you saw dead on the street were little sparrows who just set off for their first flights and ended up int the road crushed to death by passing by cars??
John Matthews
May 27th 2009, 20:24
Forgot to mention, if Malta is on the migratory route, and, if there are millions of birds using this route, WHY haven't Birdlife Malta instigated their own Air Traffic Control?
Birdlife Malta's statements get more ridiculous as time goes on. Their statements have been disproved over and over again, which makes a mockery of their organisation.
clifford john williams
May 27th 2009, 19:58
There has been shooting waking me up every morning from mid march to 22 May. shots came from Wied Garnaw, Luqa and area to West of Adolerata cemetary.
Curiously I have heard nothing these last few days. Was someone trying to make a point?
I also heard shooting going on while swimming in the Delimara area on two Sundays.
On all the above occasions there were more than one shooter, usually two to three separate locations.
Oh and before anyone pipes up,I do know the difference between a shotgun and a firework or a bird scarer.
John Matthews
May 27th 2009, 17:50
C'mon Birdlife - get real
Let's assume all these shots were heard. It was me with my machine gun and I wasn't shooting at birds.
GET MY POINT?
r sammut
May 27th 2009, 16:53
It’s about time to stir up the pond again by BirdLife, now that CABS report has been gathering dust!
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090505/local/majority-of-hunters-respect-spring-hunting-ban-cabs
Sammut Michael
May 27th 2009, 16:39
To D. caruana
I have seen a fare share of Peregrines both in Malta in migration and abroad where I travelled and even participated in studies of breeding peregrines. Even in nearby Sicily peregrines nest in places where people go for picnics, swimming etc. etc. One nest at Tindari Sicily was barely 20m above a picnic area on a cliff and even on Pantelleria I observed nests only 15m above a very popular bathing place. So yes they can breed in close proximity to humans unless they are persecuted.
As for malta not being good for nesting raptors....well I believe Peregrine, Kestrel & Barn Owl all bred in the past until they were exterminated...only time will tell.
Andrew Gatt
May 27th 2009, 16:34
@ Sonya Pecorella..........any idea what these birds where? How large? What species? And did I understand correctly...........you saw all these dead birds on the road from Xemxija to Ghajn Tuffieha?
Plus, from approximately 6 I note that they are now a "noticeable amount". Is it double figures? Triple figures? It would be nice if you could be more specific, especially as you seem to imply that this road is currently covered in dead birds.....shot by us nasty despicable hunters, of course, doubtless during the day in plain sight of the hundreds and hundreds of motorists and walkers.
D.Caruana
May 27th 2009, 16:23
To Micheal Sammut.
Before one asks someone else to read some basic facts you'd expect that he does so himself.
1) That is why I said leave the lack of water issue - I just thaught i'd mention it as obviously lack of water makes life HARDER for any creature.
2) Exactly my point.Malta is NOT good for nesting raptors. Even in these rural areas (Which are not New York by the way) Peregrines do not nest. Please tell me how many Peregrines have you seen in your life?
3)Apart from hunting which should not be an issue anymore since it is banned in spring there is: Bricks, Buildings, Picnics (not that this is wrong), littering, sound polution and the list goes on and on and on. YES - human interfearance plays a major part
Johann Cutajar
May 27th 2009, 16:19
Wow, that could be a good migration route then!!! I'm out walking through lengths of passage ways throughout the countryside early morning or late afternoons, and all I come across are flatened rats, hedgehogs, cats and sometimes sparrow sibblings - especially during this time of year!
Sonya Pecorella
May 27th 2009, 15:58
@ J Cutajar
no Mr Cutajar...i am aware of what pigeons and sparrow offsprings look like...and i say approximately because i only started taking note of the dead birds when i walked over a noticeable amount...there could even have been more but i didn't start counting straight away...perhaps you could take this walk and inform us on the type and number of birds? then you would be in a better position to comment...
Johann Cutajar
May 27th 2009, 15:40
@ Mrs Pecorella
"i walked over approximately 6 dead birds"
Were you by any chance counting the scathered pigeon feathers and the ran over dead sparrow offsprings.... amounting to APPROXIMATELY 6 dead birds!!!???
@ Ian Balzan
If I'm not mistaken it used to be Birdlife who used to talk about the millions!! Hunters always spoke of the less then 1% of the whole migration to hit Malta....
Andrew Gatt
May 27th 2009, 15:38
@ Ian Balzan......just goes to show how much you know or understand about legal hunting for game - approximately zero, it seems. The Maltese Islands get a fraction of the total migration and even that depends on the weather conditions at the time. Mid-April to mid May is the main season where hunters may bag (if lucky) a dozen doves on average. We depend on migratory game only - there are not, never have been, and will never be any resident game birds. Not enough countryside. Not enough undisturbed habitat. And NO WATER.
Give up hunting? Mhux hekk jew!!
Ian Balzan
May 27th 2009, 15:24
@ M Said
Here your comment. The bird in the photo is definately a Common Kestrel. Lesser kestrels have yellow claws not black claws. I suggest that you buy a bird guide and check before jumping to any conclusions.
SAMMUT MICHAEL
May 27th 2009, 15:19
To D. Caruana
Before one comments on suitable habitat and conditions for breeding raptors one should at least read some basic facts.
1) Water is not all that necessary for raptors to breed, they obtain it from their prey.
2) Not with standing the human encroachment of our islands we still have suitable places where such birds as Kestrel, Peregrine and Barn owl (at least) can breed. These species nest in human inhabited areas, the peregrine breeds even in large cities like New York and Melbourne where they use skyscrapers for nesting (there will be no lack of these in the near future).
3) as for human interference (such as hunting) that is something else........
m farrugia
May 27th 2009, 14:53
Is Birdlife suggesting that the poachers are from the south now ? Forget your arguments Birdlife as facts speak for them selves. There are around 1600/17000 hunters and trappers on these islands and you said that illegal hunting is still rampant. So how come you only managed to pick up 24 birds of prey this season.
salvu abela
May 27th 2009, 14:34
Rabbit hunting season opening soon so Birdlife once again as usual starts with their stories, but what do they say about the birds of prey that are going to be destroyed in the UK,or maybe the ones over there are not listed on the IUCN Red List just take a look at these web-sites very interesting,
http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/341596/New_guidance_to_help_control_protected_predators.html
http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/341337/Majority_of_British_public_support_predator_control.html
http://www.komitee.de/en/index.php?raptors
http://www.komitee.de/en/index.php?falconry
Ian Balzan
May 27th 2009, 14:34
@ Andrew Gatt
"Where are all these birds? Your reserves are EMPTY. The skies are EMPTY"
Than you and your buddies should have no problem of giving up hunting or else you are the liar. Any comments?
M.Said
May 27th 2009, 14:30
@Jason Borg
YEAH....and you moan about others' moaning. HEHEHE:)
Give us a break BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW.......I dont see any blood on this kestrel. I think the new cartridges which kill without blood!!!!!!!!!!:) Come on and stop trying to impress the public.
Maybe this kestrel hit a high tension cable or something similar and injured itself........what part of the body...... who knows!!!!!! from this photo all I see is the same guy with the same rings holding a LESSER kestrel(not kestrel birdlife!!!!) with a wing opened but for sure I dont see any gunshot wounds.
Any birdwatcher pls comment.........................
Sonya Pecorella
May 27th 2009, 14:21
to all of you that commented below.....yesterday i walked it from xemxija to ghajn tuffiegha...on this 45 minute walk, i walked over approximately 6 dead birds....not long ago shot down because some were still intact....it was so sad....
Jason Borg
May 27th 2009, 14:10
Same bunch of people moaning whenever BirdLife issues a statement. Give us a break, boys.
Andrew Gatt
May 27th 2009, 14:10
Aw just shut up and give us all a break, will you? All these fairy-tales about Malta being on some mythical 20-lane migratory highway!! Where are all these birds? Your reserves are EMPTY. The skies are EMPTY. The "millions" are NON-EXISTENT. The nests are NON-EXISTENT. The "massacres" are NON-EXISTENT.
One LIE after the other floating to the surface for the public to see.
Why don't you have the guts and decency to tell the truth for a change?
Chris Galea
May 27th 2009, 13:52
The same old story goes on and on !!! Birdlife will neve stop moaning.......... their usual stories never change,lies and misinformation ! How could one ever compare the straits of Messina with Malta,it's simply unbelievable how birdlife come up with such statements...what do you want ?.....ah more funds to create a wildlife unit ?!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harry Borda
May 27th 2009, 13:47
Just the same old Birdlife! When something does not go their way, they act like spoilt children. Just because PM Gonzi stood up to their over inflated figures and has stood his ground, they have now started to complaining about his actions!!! By the way, when is your next press release due as I am sure you have already started preparing and gearing up for the next round.
J Farrugia
May 27th 2009, 13:45
Dear Birdlife Malta and Italy, stop interfering in our internal matters. This is no concern of yours. The PM went on record telling you that he will never appoint a specialised police unit for this purpose alone. We do not have funds to waste on unimportant matters. This is just spite against a section of the population who have hunting and trapping at heart. And what you are doing is damaging our life styles and traditions. Enough of your loud mouths. You are not impressing anyone by your daily statements.
n xuereb
May 27th 2009, 13:42
24 illegal birds shot, received and recorded by BLM within a span of 5 months. No wonder Gonzi is not taking BLM seriously!
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
May 27th 2009, 13:33
Now that Cabs confirmed the small scale of illegal hunting in Malta, so Birdlfie Malta will soon be out of a job, Birdlfie Malta are telling us that are now concerned with the whole Mediterranean portion of the European-African migratory flyway.
Well the solution is very simple for Birdlfie, They should tell all their supporters along this flyway to act as they do.
Banners at international matches, urge foreign friends to write to politicians even if they do not know if country they are writing about existed., claim that the few protected birds killed are a massacre of ginormous proportions, employ foreigners to run their show, invent that the country is of crucial importance for world ornithology, get all local NGO to rally towards their cause, find a few gullible ministers, bring in foreign ornithologists that agree with their bias and above all start an international campaign that gives the country a bad name worldwide.
Surely Birdlife are never short of ideas. But the best thing that would really work would be to take anyone who releases a ringed bird into the wild to court.
When will they ever be honest?
D.Caruana
May 27th 2009, 13:26
Maybe Dr.Gonzi has realised the extent of Birdlife's lies!!
I mean poaching does happen.
Granted. I am against it and would love to see it curbed.
But Birdlife blow the situation way out of proportion!!
On another note - How do Birdlife expect raptors to breed in Malta? Lets leave aside the lack of water issue. Forget that.
What about human interfearance and ideal habitat?
The island is too densly populated and humans are everywhere at any given time!
Not to mention that our little island consists of more bricks than grass blades!!
Joe Camilleri
May 27th 2009, 13:19
It is a little far fetched to compare the Straits of Messina ( where Maltese birdlife members go to watch migration) and which is one of the main Mediterranean migratory routes with barren Malta which is more than 200Km away.
And now Andrew Raine has put his eyes on ta Cenc. Certainly if he sees a pair of Peregrines he will surely lobby so that ta Cenc will be off-limits to the maltese public. No wonder the reclaim your countryside campaign.
And for the number of shots heard, well I will try my luck and play them for Super5 this evening.