Hunters’ federation report to the police annoys bird lovers
BirdLife Malta and the hunters’ federation are at loggerheads after the latter filed a report with the Police Commissioner holding environmentalists responsible for an incident in summer when dead protected birds were found in Miżieb.
BirdLife retaliated by calling on the Police Commissioner and the Office of the Prime Minister to “inform the public of the investigations into the discovery of hundreds of dead birds in Miżieb in 2009 and 2010”. It said in a search last September it uncovered the remains of over 80 dead protected birds in Miżieb.
The altercation between the two sides was sparked off by the hunters’ federation announcement it had filed a report over the “illegal activity” that occurred “without authorisation or permit” last September.
It argued that BirdLife employees Andrè Raine and Geoffrey Saliba, besides other members and activists of the Committee Against Birds Slaughter, carried out a search when hunting and trapping were still permissible. It accused BirdLife of claiming to have lifted a number of dead protected birds, insisting the activists had no permit to do so. BirdLife termed this as a “false statement” saying Miżieb was public land and no authorisation was necessary for the public to enter this woodland. It said it was not intimidated by the federation’s comments and was considering taking legal action against the “defamatory” statements it made.
Moreover, although the federation claimed it was entitled to the land in Miżieb, no legal agreement was ever provided to prove this. “Miżieb is densely packed with hunting and trapping hides built on public land, some of which are brick and concrete structures with padlocked metal doors. These include hides built in an area protected as a bird sanctuary,” BirdLife said. Yet, the authorities continued to “turn a blind eye” to these structures, it said.
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a.dalli
Dec 23rd 2010, 07:27
Ara veru pajjiz tal 'mikimaws' Mela niprotestaw u sa hansitra niggildu ful il kacca w l'insib, imma ful l'gholi tal prezzijiet, bhal elektriku, ilma gas, diesel, petrol u elf haga ohra, xejn.
r sammut
Dec 22nd 2010, 20:11
Strange, Bird lovers annoyed? The sensationalising of happenings by BLM as when parading injured raptors all the way to Castile! In comparison, this latest news dwarfs to insignificance in bird lovers’ circles!
E.Muscat
Dec 22nd 2010, 17:53
The amount of new bird species and the wonderful sound of birds chirping one can see around the Island lately, makes the place feel and sound so much better than those terrible gunshots.
Scicluna Joseph
Dec 22nd 2010, 18:18
I would be equally happy as you are to know all about the new species and their whereabouts honestly.
Terrible gunshots? Migration has been on a halt since the beginning of November actually, let alone terrible gunshots being the norm?!...and seasons greetings :-)
Steve Zammit
Dec 22nd 2010, 18:47
''Terrible gunshots? Migration has been on a halt since the beginning of November actually, let alone terrible gunshots being the norm?!...''
I don't think E.Muscat was stating that ''terrible gunshots being the norm'' but rather that its better to enjoy birds and hear the ''wonderful sound of birds chirping '' then the sounds of gun shots blasting birds out of the sky. God forbid that shots go on non-stop for 5 whole months. But please, do be honest, where you out on the 23rd of October 2010? That whole weekend with all the Song Thrushes about...shooting non stop from the break of dawn almost made me sick. Without going into the debate if it is right or not that this practice or ''delizzju'' takes place, please honestly you can't really call these shots actually pleasant!?
and oh by the way...even if we may not really agree, season's greetings to you too:-)
George Borg
Dec 22nd 2010, 15:05
If anyone go to Mizieb one can see that it is cleaner then the Republic Street of Valletta and FKNK are capable to takecare of reserves more then Birdlife Malta and I don't know why they are in the hands of birdlife Malta in the firstplace. What authorisation they have?? and who gave that land to them??
Approximately more than 80% of the Hunters takea very good care of their fields or part they use to practice their hobby. FKNK would not accept hunters that abuse with their hobby so I know that they are the best people that can make thereport because BLM members do not dedicate their time as much Hunters do for their hobby.
In Malta in some places and occasions if you say you practice hunting or you like hunting people will discriminates you.WHY???
+ Karl Consiglio can you tell me what you do for our nature please?
Chris Finch
Dec 22nd 2010, 16:49
George, have you been to the Ghadira Nature reserve? It truly is a gem on this small island. It is probably the only place you can enjoy tranquil truly litter free surroundings.
In contrast, go to any cliff top, be it dingli, Marsaxlokk or Marfa ridge and you will see hundreds used of shotgun cartridges littering the place. Alternatively go to Mizieb at any time and it is full of litter. Hardly cleaner than Republic Street.
George Borg
Dec 22nd 2010, 17:07
Mr. Chris Finch, first of all I did not said that our reserve doesn't have tranquillity and if the most people that call themselves polite clean after they use Mizieb for BBQs and hikes, Mizieb would be nice like the reserve all the time because I don't know exactly how many times every year Hunters will meet and clean the place.
Karl Consiglio
Dec 22nd 2010, 12:16
Who do they think they're fooling?
Then let the bird lovers make the report, not the hunters
T.Scerri
Dec 22nd 2010, 12:09
Chill...it's Christmas
Joe Camilleri
Dec 22nd 2010, 11:30
Wow now BIRD LOVERS. And actually it is not against bird lovers but against trespassers.
BLM should hand over Ghadira and Simar nature reserves to FKNK to administer (not for hunting purposes) after that they have been proved wrong by the birds themselves that they do not even breed there. Not even the occasional coot, which breeds in abandoned quarries do not even breed regularly there.
Steve Zammit
Dec 22nd 2010, 18:32
The first record of the Common Coot confirmed breeding in Malta is in 2008. No Coots has ever breed in any abandoned quarry in Malta. If what you are stating is true, can you kindly tell me where Coots have breed in any Quarry please? You are refering to the Moorhen which is more frequent. Yes, Moorhens have breed in quarries in recent years but NOT Coots. Moorhens are regular yearly breeders THANKS TO Simar and Ghadira Nature Reserves and with up to 50 wintering there! Currently up to 10 Coots are wintering at Simar too. No where in Malta are such numbers present because
1) These wetlands offer ideal habitat and are considered rare and
2) Any Moorhens attempting to winter or breed in other unprotected area RARELY succed to do so as they are always eventually killed within hours of their arrival. Not convinced: take Ghajn Rihana valley as a classical example
Since you are speaking in such a way to shoot down BLM's work at the reserves...can you tell me what breeds up at Mizieb? Little Bitterns, Little Grebes, Little Ringed Plovers, Coots and Moorhens???Please present a decent argument not the usual rubbish!
Happy Christmas:)