FKNK says spring migration, breeding, were 'normal'

Johnny Xerri

Aug 16th 2009, 07:29

@ P Korsten

Strange that you mentioned ducks as one of the birds you hear, since they are non resident species and rarely migrate over Malta.

So much so that Malta is probably the only place on earth iwith the fewest duck hunters, because its only by chance that one sees a duck in Malta.

Unless you are referring to the un-feathered ducks @ paceville, or the antihunting ducks who just quack away their stupidity!!!

@ G Grech

'Personally, I did see a small difference in the wild life on the island. Even one or two birds make a difference, after all those years of indiscriminate killing. The damage has been done, now nature will take it's time to replenish'

1. Can you prove you are not parroting when you claim indiscriminate killing?

2. If Malta depends on migration how can previous years effect following years?

Surely one would expect that with the millions Birdlifemalta claims as victims to maltese hunters, if only 1 % had to breed in malta, @ least 10000 birds would breed in one year alone. Not just a couple of nests.

Johnny Xerri

Aug 16th 2009, 07:17

@ M Brincat

Because government cannot hide behind the EU on this one.

Simple govt can hide behind the EU on the issue of spring hunting, by applying incorrectly the required derogation. That way he seems to be abiding by the pre EU accession promise, whilst blaming the ban on spring hunting on the EU.

Convenient really. Apply the wrong derogation, show a brave face in the EU court case, & remain popular 'ax jien ipruvajt' ima l EU!!!

But when it comes to autumn hunting, the EU has no say, and actually all EU countries (apart from hunting in spring through the right application of derogations) hunt in autumn, in some cases 27/7.

So the government cannot ban autumn hunting, because there is no way to blame it on the EU.

So until hunting is banned by EU law even in autumn, and the possibility of derogating is removed, you and all the anties will have to do with autumn hunting, & stick to the unmanaged, filthy/dirty public land, whilst we enjoy our preserved private land for at least 5 months.

Is that so hard to digest?

John Matthews

Aug 14th 2009, 19:20

@ Peter Korsten Either I have misread or misunderstood your comments but where, and I have lived in many countries, do you not see many birds in let's say China, South Africa, Libya, Sardinia, Turkey and many other countries that I have lived in? Depends on where you have lived in Malta, I have lived in Paola and Lija and have still been kept awake by birds (not that I object).

Andrew Gatt

Aug 14th 2009, 14:57

@ M Brincat and Peter Korsten...........I'm afraid you have a very wrong impression of the situation.

The Autumn hunting season, due to open on 1st September, is NOT an issue in Malta NOR in ANY other EU country for that matter. Please distinguish. And Peter, yes, expect to see plenty of sparrows and pigeons here but not much else, since Malta is 150km away from the closest migratory highway (Tunisia/Sicily). The few birds we get are mostly migratory, depend on weather conditions at the time, are non-resident and, despite what Birdlife want you to believe, NON-BREEDING.

Not enough undisturbed, suitable habitat for most of them. No above-ground water in Summer. Not enough suitable food.

Malta is, in fact, the ONLY EU country without a single resident game bird population. Never had and never will. Hunting (legal, naturally) has nothing to do with it.

Peter Korsten

Aug 14th 2009, 11:23

@M. Brincat
"Why on Earth is the Maltese government trying to get hunting back in Malta?"

To get a few more votes, which they will desperately need at the next general elections.

Anyway, one thing one notices about Malta, if you go abroad regularly (or have lived there), is that you hardly see any birds, or hear them whistle in the trees. Perhaps a few sparrows or the occasional duck, but that's about it.

Funny about some of the comments below: FKNK assertions are taken for granted, whereas BirdLife's assertions are dismissed out of hand.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Aug 14th 2009, 10:47

"I have asked this question and nobody answered me. .
Why on Earth is the Maltese government trying to get hunting back in Malta? "

The answer is very obvious Mr/Ms M Brincat - BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT MAKING ANY SENSE!!!!!!!!!

Hunting has been practised in Malta for a long, long time. If anything, the Maltese Government is trying to deprive the Maltese hunters from enjoying their traditional pastime and allowing this section of the Maltese society to be treated inferior to other EU citizens. And this after all the false guarantees and promises!!

Therefore, I suggest, Sir/Madam, to refrain from presenting any further banal questions!!

J Camilleri

Aug 14th 2009, 08:54

Keep it up FKNK. We are capable of doing far more good for the environment than the rest.

G. Grech

Aug 13th 2009, 22:33

Personally, I did see a small difference in the wild life on the island. Even one or two birds make a difference, after all those years of indiscriminate killing. The damage has been done, now nature will take it's time to replenish.

Hopefully intelligence will prevail ...

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Aug 13th 2009, 20:40

Well, this further confirms the usual inflated and non-factual statements issued by BirdLife!! Maybe the editor of another English Daily should now give the same treatment to FKNK and present an editorial showing this side of the coin!!!

John Matthews

Aug 13th 2009, 20:18

Well Birdlife, what do you have to say about that? It appears FKNK are doing your job for you.
Perhaps with more accuracy than you seem to project

M.Brincat

Aug 13th 2009, 19:20

I have asked this question and nobody answered me. .

Why on Earth is the Maltese government trying to get hunting back in Malta?