Over the past few days the countryside has been filled with the bubbly calls of bee-eaters which are impossible to miss even if you are not a bird enthusiast. With their stunning plumage and aerobatic flight they are a joy to watch.

Early in the morning of September 1, with the opening of the hunting season, a bee-eater – a protected species – was found injured with shotgun wounds near Bingemma. I spent most of the weekend out in the countryside and did not see a single patrolling police car. In the afternoon of September 1 the sky was filled with bee-eaters replenishing their energy for a long journey to Africa.

Several shots were heard in the area and with bee-eaters being the only birds to be seen they were surely the intended target. This shot bee-eater may be the first protected bird of the season to fall victim to hunters, but unless something drastic is done it surely won’t be the last. When are the authorities going to take illegal hunting seriously?

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