CABS, the German bird protection group, said today it will hold a large´bird protection camp´against illegal hunting and bird trapping in Malta from this Friday to October 5, coinciding with autumn migration.
It said the autumn migration of birds has already kicked in with a good number of Marsh Harriers, falcons as well as the first flocks of herons and Honey Buzzards flying over Malta along with more than 100 Greater Flamingo.
A total of 18 experienced birdwatchers and activists from the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands will be joining Maltese birdwatchers at the camp, called "Fatal flight," sharing the same title as a book written by Maltese journalist Natalino Fenech in 1992.
"There was a lot of improvement for birds in the last two decades but since the new government took over, many achievements such as the afternoon hunting curfew and the ban on finch trapping have been lifted", CABS president Heinz Schwarze said.
We have been informed that many officers who have worked with us in the past have been transferred to other units against their will. Their experience and know-how to bring poachers to justice will be missed this season. It is hard to believe that this is just a coincidence
He said CABS had also confirmed reports about a massive turnover and forced transfer of experienced police ALE personnel in the last months. "We have been informed that many officers who have worked with us in the past have been transferred to other units against their will. Their experience and know-how to bring poachers to justice will be missed this season. It is hard to believe that this is just a coincidence", Schwarze said.
CABS said that morning a CABS advance staff team spotted an illegal trapping site for songbirds near Buskett and alerted the authorities. A joint police-army patrol arrived at the scene and apprehended the trapper who is expected to be taken to court soon.
Six live protected finches and pipits as well as a large clap net were confiscated.
Last weekend an illegal trapping site for Ortolan Bunting and Dotterel was discovered at Gharghur, with a live Dotterel decoy and an electronic bird caller being played. The trapper escaped but nets were taken by police. In addition CABS informed the police about several other sites around Malta where electronic bird callers - mainly for Dotterel - could be heard.