BirdLife calls on government to close spring hunting season

P hill

Apr 15th, 01:13

This shouldn't even be an issue, its basic population management, you cant slaughter birds before they breed, and expect a population to remain stable, especially when a multitude of other factors negatively influence populations. If every country in Europe adopted the attitude of Maltese hunters. there wouldn't be a bird left, much like Malta is outside of migration months.

Steve Zammit

Apr 29th 2011, 19:05

@David Briffa

Li qalli hekk ''QEDIN TURUNA LI VERA MA TARFUX L'GHASAFAR TA DIK HIJA KUCCARDA U META TRID NILTAQAW HALLI NIKKONVICIK U TIBQAX SEJJER BIJA GHAX IKOLLI NEJD LI MA TIFIMX. ''

Jiena ninstab f'posizzjoni li jekk trid koregini jekk jien zbaljat. Izda ghamel dan billi turini l-provi u fatti MHUX BIL-PAROLI BISS!

Ara dawn il-links li juru bic-car dak li ghedt:

Din kif Kuccarda tkun:

http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/102_HoneyBuzzardPapivorus.pdf (ara id-denb fuq pagna 3 - Totalment DIFFERENTI)

U din kif tkun Astun Iswed:

http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/104_BlackkiteMmigrans.pdf ( ara id-denb f'pagna 3 - Ezatt L-ISTESS bhal fir-ritratt t'hawn fuq)

Nistenna b'herqa t-twegiba tieghek! Issa jekk trid kompli webbes ta' rasek, lili ma tantx taghmilli differenza! ) Veru il-gwinhajh jistghu jhawduk izda id-denb juri li dan huwa Black Kite. Hlejt bizzejjed hin fuqek u minnu bhalek...

Ms Tiziana Grech

Apr 29th 2011, 13:31

Din hija kuccarda ta' Settembru....zgur u mhux forsi! Kite m'hijiex zgur 100% Ghal min ma jafx kite ikollu denbu forma ta V jigifieri ghall-ponta u mhux dritt xemgha u forma t'imrewha bhalma huwa tar-ritratt. Anqas hija kuccarda ta' Mejju ghaliex kuccarda ta' Mejju tkun hafna drabi mbiddla u mhux ferha ghageb bhalma hi din tar-ritratt (kannella kollha). Jekk tharsu sewwa lejn ir0ritratt, l-ghajn tal-kuccarda tidher bajda zzejjed jigifieri jista` jaghti l-kaz illi kienet frizata.

Temmnux kull ma jghidu tal-Birdlife Malta! Jekk verament ghandhom il-provi juruhom u mhux imbilli jigbdu video ta' tajra ttir u l-hsejjes tat-tiri....bhalma tafu, permezz tal-editing, kollox huwa possibli! Rajt video ta, baghdan b'xi whud mill-pinen imtajrin u tal-Birdlife m'ghandhomx dritt jakkuzaw il-kaccaturi Maltin li huma sparaw ghalih. Din hija l-PASSA tal-ghasafar allura ovjament illi l-ghasfur ikun zar pajjizi ohra qabel wasal Malta.

L-ahhar haga li se nghid hi li tal-Birdlife huma kontra l-kaccaturi personalment u mhux favur l-ghexjien tal-ghasafar!!! Business Business Business!!!!!!!

Mr Carmel Farrugia

Apr 29th 2011, 13:06

SPRING HUNTING?

YES WE CAN!

D. Farrugia

Apr 28th 2011, 22:02

Is this a sick joke? Can't BLM see that the bulk of poaching activities (if not all poaching) occurs outside legal spring hunting (either before 13 April or during public holidays, Sundays or after 3pm)? What is wrong with you BLM? Do as your European counterparts have been doing and work in partnership with the hunting community in their fight against poaching. You are heading down the wrong path with this attitude. It will only lead to your further disappointment.

You see spring hunting in Malta as a threat to the conservation of turtle dove and quail in Europe. I ask you, do you have scientific evidence with respect to this single variable? What about the multiple variables that play a significant part in the conservation of these two species in mainland Europe, such as habitat destruction, agricultural intensification and the use of agrochemicals, to name but a few? Can you honestly think that this is not of concern to the conservation of all farmland birds across Europe? Do you know the damage the Common Agricultural Policy has inflicted on farmland birds in Europe for example? The conservation status of these two species does not rest with a spring hunting ban in Malta. Turtle doves and quail have been hunted here since time immemorial before CAP, before EU accession, before EEC, before the Birds Directive, before the word “conservation” was even part of any legislative framework in Europe. Yet, assuming they are really declining in mainland Europe, you and your parent organisation would rather attack hunting in Malta than the root cause in Europe. There is a direct link between species decline and agricultural intensification in Europe with or without spring hunting in Malta. You use poaching as an excuse to ban spring hunting when conventional wisdom tells us that poaching activities are more prevalent outside the legal time frames/period!

Do you know when this press release would have really made sense? If and only if no protected birds were shot during the three consecutive spring hunting bans! Stop clutching at straws.

Mr Chris Xuereb

Apr 28th 2011, 21:53

I see so now hunters count 2,000 birds of prey in 2 days & jahasra not a single turtle dove....pesticide deaths no doubt, imagine birdlife said it spotted 2000 birds.So it wasn't the poachers who were doing all the shooting since the 'hunters' want all the credit after seeing a new carrot in the shape of a word called 'progress', issa jiffansjaw il CABS,.. mur ifimkhom.
Now it's time for a laugh counting bags.

Steve Zammit

Apr 28th 2011, 20:54

@Ms. Sylvana Zarb Darmanin, Mr.Anthony Angelo Mifsud and C.Camilleri

I beg to differ, the bird in the photograph is a Black Kite and not a Honey Buzzard. The Black Kite has much darker wings and more black ( as in the photo) while the Honey Buzzard tends to be more grey.

Also since you mentioned the tail:

The Black Kite doesn't always keeps its tail 'forked'. This is normally a feature in flight only. It only forks its tail when it is closed (as in flight) , when it is open it is seen as in the picture above. Also Honey Buzzards have three distinctive bands on its tail which would be visible from this angle if it was the case, the Black Kite has nothing. Also Male Honey Buzzards have slightly bluish head while the female's is brown. Their head contrasts with the rest of their plumage. In the case of the photo, their is no contrast.

Thus these 3 features show that this shot bird in question is indeed a Black Kite. Hope this clears your doubts.

Mr Antoine Grima

Apr 28th 2011, 20:53

Now that BLM and company are realising that they have been found out about all their lies and dirty tactics , they want a referendum . Yeh sure !!!!

Mr Victor Falzon

Apr 28th 2011, 20:10

Mark Mifsud Bonnici, Anthony Angelo Mifsud, Kevin Gauci, Sylvana ZD e bella kumpanija

Il-BirdLife u l-CABS ma jaqblux? Tixtiequ kieku.

Staqsu lil CABS u lil BirdLife jaqblux li l-kaċċa fir-rebbiegħa hija dagħwa faħxija.
Staqsu lil CABS u lil BirdLife rawx tajr jitbiċċer dawn l-aħħar ħmistax.

Insomma, it-tweġiba tafuha diġà.

Mr KEVIN GALEA

Apr 28th 2011, 20:07

@Birdlife specialment Geoffrey qatt ma kont nistenna li inthom daqsekk BAD LOOSERS u ma inthomx kapaci tacettaw is-sitwazzjoni pjacevoli ta dan l-istagun miftuh fejn kullhadd jista jikonferma il- maturita kbira li wrew il-kaccaturi Maltin.
Dalghodu il-BLM u il-CABS hargu bi hgarhom biex min ghalihom ha jaraw massakru imma baqaw b-xiber imnieher, jien personalment stajt nara membri ta BLM jitrumbjaw u jaraw kwantita konsiderevoli ta tajr tal-priza itir minajr ma jaqla tir u dan ma nizilx tajjeb lil BLM.
Illum il-CABS li hi iffinazzjata mil-BLM biex tigi f'pajjizna u tissorvelja lil kaccaturi harget tikonferma li f'pajjizna kulhadd seta jara xeni pjacevoli ta tajr protett itir wara lejl ta mistrih gol- kampanja Maltija.
Illum iktar min qatt qabel qed naraw bic-car li is-sorveljanza specjali tal-pulizija ghanda tkun fil-hin ta stagun maghluq u mhux meta ikun miftuh.
Jien sincerament qed nara li is-sigra ta tal-gideb u misinformazzjoni li zerghat il-BLM illum qed twaqqa il-weraq u qed tmut

Andrew Gatt

Apr 28th 2011, 20:02

What a bunch of miserable whiners. Crying to mummy at the EU yet again. 2 days before the close of this limited and restricted season. Oh, sorry.....actually, Friday till 3.00pm and Saturday till 12.00 noon. On the same day their buddies CABS noted significant progress. Get real, will you?!!??

This confrontational attitude is a rigid and extremist position that antagonises even the mildest and most law abiding hunters. Rather than finding common ground with the FKNK - which is also taking a stand against illegalities - Birdlife chooses once again to mix up crimes with legal hunting, and chooses once again to **** - stir against Malta on the flimsiest of grounds.

As usual, they concede nothing, they admit nothing. Just more of the same - dramatics, veiled threats, sexed-up "reports", posturing and one-sided campaigns. Pfffffffff.

Mr Nyal Xuereb

Apr 28th 2011, 19:41

I urge the PM to put a stop to these lies. Just yesterday thousands of birds of prey migrated and roosted overnight but CABS, the Police, FKNK and KSU can confirm that the illegal incidents where a handful. CABS just issued a statement saying that they saw hundreds of buzzards and harriers in Mizieb yesterday (where BLM claimed they found bird carcases) but not 1 shot was heard. BLM cannot be trusted any more.

Mr HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI

Apr 28th 2011, 19:35

Birdlife comments are as I have been saying all along not credibile. They are just after an abolition of hunting. As if the season is closed the illegal activity will stop.

Even the CABS acknowledges that there was a vast improvement on previous years but BIRDLIFE keeps playing the same CD over and over again.

The Government has by now got used to as who is credibile or not. Birdlife know that they were fooling themselves when they dragged prominent people to wear the famous T SHIRTS.

FKNK have been given full credit by the police for their role to minimise illegal activity. What is BIRDLIFE doing in this regard except of moaning and asking for the season to close.

Mark my words Birdlife that illegal activity will be in full force as from next Saturday being the last day of the Spring Season. What will you be asking the Government then to collect all guns?

Grow up and face reality. My repeated request to you is to join forces with FKNK and work together against poachers, but abolition of hunting is not a solution.

Mr Chris Xuereb

Apr 28th 2011, 19:08

50% of hunters = some progress
100% of hunters = no progress

Ms Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 28th 2011, 18:57

I tend to agree with Mr David Briffa. The photo being shown does not appear to be a black kite. Maybe we could get a clearer picture of the bird's tail which should look like a fish-tail. That is the characteristic of a kite. Nonetheless, the illegaly is condemned.

Mr C Camilleri

Apr 28th 2011, 18:54

Dik Kuccarda mhux kite. Dawn tal birdlife qas tajra ma jarfu qeghdin tajjeb ta. Imbaghad iriduna nemnuhom!

Kevin Gauci

Apr 28th 2011, 18:24

Qedin sew e tal-birdlife qas jaqblu ma shabom il-cabs

Ara xqalulkom ta CABS reports 'some real progress'

ikolli nejd tajbin hafna biex tamlu is-somom birdlife!!!

Mr Charles Grima

Apr 28th 2011, 18:24

Jumejn ohra, u l-ghasafar ikunu jistghu jittajru fil paci... u nistriehu...

DIN irridu referendum fuqha! Fuq il kacca.... forsi xi darba naqtghuha...

Mr Joseph Mallia

Apr 28th 2011, 18:07

This is pure nonsense. I have just returned from five days of Turtle Dove "hunting" in two places considered as prime areas in Gozo. The number of shots I fired were not more than five!!!!! Each day I spent an average of seven hour straight but no turtle doves were in sight considering the favourable weather condition. I returned empty handed. This comment should be greeted with pleasure by Birdlife Malta and Europe. What I took pleasure in watching were the scores of birds of prey flying low over the unharvested cornfields. Not one shot was heared despite the many hunters present. These magnificent birds were a pleasure to watch. The majority of hunters do observe the law.

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Apr 28th 2011, 18:01

Birdlife Malta

The same old iceberg that never seems to melt. Do you honestly expect anyone including the Commission to believe whatever you state after a public declaration to stop spring hunting at all costs?

We can only expect more of the same from radicals that do not admit to reality. 17 dead protected birds recovered. Are you aware of over 2,000 birds of prey that migrated over Malta during the past two days all of which flew on unscathed? Are you prepared to admit as your partners CABS have done that "real progress" has been achieved or would you rather stick to your same old melting iceberg?

As for Angelo Caserta in his cosy EU office, he should worry about Birdlife' International's credibility being at risk before rushing to conclusions and offering support based on his believing unverified fact coming from declared abolitionists.

With the help of Malta's police we are ridding ourselves of the few ruffians within our ranks. You are welcome to participate if and when you admit to reality.

Mark Mifsud Bonnici
Kaccaturi San Ubertu

Anthony Angelo Mifsud

Apr 28th 2011, 17:48

Dik kuccarda mhux kite, min sbilkom? lanqas biss tarfu tajra! jien nahseb li inharjet min jo xi fridge, ax ipqaw sgurri li ma kien hawn kaccatur wiehd, li spara fuq dak limbarazz.
U wara kollox lil mien se naqbghad nemen? lil CABS jew lil BLM ( Europe )????
Tony

Mr Fabian Borg

Apr 28th 2011, 17:47

The general feeling of the general public is that many protected species including birds of prey are not falling victim to the poachers this year. As a matter of fact the past days offered a show of many honey buzzards which roosted and their vast majority made it till morning. In the last 24 hours I witnessed this myself as a particular buzzard I saw roost in a tree near my field this morning took off at dawn unharmed.
It was then followed by other buzzards which circled at low altitude until they found thermal currents to easily find their way to nothern europe. I even took a picture of one on my mobile. All this while I, like others, was out with a gun while hunting turtle doves which unluckily made a poor passage today.
It was common to hear hunters speaking to eachother on their radios reminding eachother of protected species coming their way in order to avoid even accidental shots and for me it was a vision of what hunting in Malta in the future should be. Birdlife and other nature NGOs depend on publicity and reporting of illegal actions to gain funds from naive citizens who do not know all the facts. They will always have something to moan about and will always be handed over dead protected birds no matter what happens. Just one question always SPRINGs to mind. How they manage to find such rare birds and in such large numbers;-? Food for thought ;-)

J Cassar

Apr 28th 2011, 17:19

kif se jsier referendum ghad divorzju nistu nivutaw biex naraw il-poplu jaqbilx mal-kacca!

Mr Jeremy Chircop

Apr 28th 2011, 17:17

anything wrong with the photos side?

Mr joseph lia

Apr 28th 2011, 17:15

Ohhhh PLEASE! CABS have just released a news item that significant improvement has been achieved (no thanks to them) and now this press release!
I'm not so sure that is a Black Kite BTW, maybe the photo is misleading......any way these few remaining illegalities are obviously condemnable

Ms Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 28th 2011, 17:14

STOP THIS MOANING BIRDLIFE MALTA AND EUROPE!!! You are fully aware that with the many Maltese law-abiding hunters in the countryside poaching has diminished except for very, very few illegalities which YOU claim! Your intolerance, disrespect and hatred towards the Maltese hunters is shameful indeed! What has happened with your usual hubbies CABS? Why have you published such a press release now, to down-size CABS' press release of today?! You are fully aware that the illegalities you are claiming as taking place, happened during closed season. It is unbelievable how you cannot accept that MALTESE LAW-ABIDING HUNTERS and BLM can live in harmony together! Stop this hatred!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nick Pace Debono

Apr 28th 2011, 16:56

some thoughts : - How many birds were reported by sms to actually have been caught/ killed by hunters? How is this verified? Who is monitoring that each time a hunter shoots a bird, protected or not, it is reported by the said hunter?...
On another note a very well done to all involved in creating so much awareness to protect these wonderful birds!...its such a joy to finally see so much activity in our skies!

Mr Michael Buhagiar

Apr 28th 2011, 16:54

Birdlife you are wasting your time. Your lies have to stop.

Mr paul fava

Apr 28th 2011, 16:47

Birdlife we paid money so that these illegalities are curbed. If they are still occuring the Government stole our money. Closing this meagre season is not the solution. Thousands of hunters have not even killed their first turtle dove!!!

Mr David Briffa

Apr 28th 2011, 16:28

U halluna kwieti. Dik kuccarda mhux kite bmin tridu tqarqu lil min ma jifimx xorta nikkundanna lil min qatila.mela minthomx qedin taqblu mall cabs issa ukoll?

Mr M Grima

Apr 28th 2011, 16:27

Lil min ha temmen lil Cabs jew lil Birdlife /?!!!!
Issaportu jumejn ohra fadal!!