The end of September has come and gone and it would be interesting to learn how the turtle dove and quail migration was. The application of derogation for spring hunting to a large extent depends on the total bag of turtle doves and quails for the previous autumn season. This means that derogation in spring 2013 for the hunting of these two species depends largely on the number of birds harvested in September 2012.

According to the hunters, this particular autumn season has been an extremely poor one as regards both turtle dove and quail, which means that derogation for spring 2013 hunting of only these two species is certainly justified.

Hunters apart, there is hardly anyone who is better positioned to inform the public about the autumn 2012 migration of turtle dove and quail than BirdLife Malta (BLM) and their German partners the Komitee gegen den Vogelmord (CABS – Committee Against Bird Slaughter). Both BLM and CABS have held bird camps in September and, no doubt, have made observations and kept accurate notes on sightings of turtle doves and quails.

Moreover, these two organisations have made it a habit to inform readers of every alleged breach of the hunting regulations. Similarly, we expect them to share also with The Times readers any information gathered during their bird camps concerning numbers of migrating turtle doves and quails seen flying or shot over Malta during September. That way, the public could judge whether the Government will be justified in applying derogation allowing limited hunting of turtle doves and quails in spring 2013.

Should the two organisations fail to publish the autumn figures, their protests against spring hunting will not be worth considering.