Maltese criminals maim young bee-eater

From Wildlife Extra:

Maltese hunters start annual autumn massacre – Where are the police?

Illegal hunters take advantage of lax enforcement on first days of hunting season

September 2012. BirdLife Malta today announced that there were no ALE units patrolling the countryside on the opening weekend of Malta’s autumn hunting season, and the organization has already started receiving shot protected birds.

BirdLife Malta received an adult Night Heron and a juvenile Bee-eater, both protected species, on Saturday, the first day of the autumn hunting season. A veterinary surgeon confirmed that both protected birds had sustained gunshot wounds.

This morning BirdLife Malta received the third injured protected bird since the start of the season, a juvenile Marsh Harrier, with visible gunshot injuries. The bird has been taken to vet and the authorities have been informed.

Despite a government statement last week that police would “monitor closely the observance of hunting regulations and conditions”, Administrative Law Enforcement officers were assigned to other duties.

Since the migration started in August, BirdLife Malta has reported 18 active illegal trapping sites to police, targeting protected species from Wood Sandpipers to Grey Herons. Half of these illegal trapping sites had already been reported to the police last year.

The ALE were unavailable to respond to any of the incidents of illegal trapping reported by BirdLife Malta teams, referring all calls to the Local or District police. The lack of specifically trained officers lead to police failing to locate live decoy birds, neglecting to remove nets or to confiscate illegal tape lures which play calls to attract birds.

When BirdLife Malta’s surveillance teams revisited the areas only a few days later the sites were again actively trapping and targeting protected birds.

“This demonstrates, yet again, the falsity of claims that hunting and trapping law is strictly enforced by the Maltese authorities”, said Mr Barbara, adding that BirdLife Malta has long been calling for a dedicated wildlife crime unit to deal with illegal hunting and trapping both during and outside hunting seasons.

WWF has warned that poaching is still a huge threat to large carnivores in Romania, after a brown bear monitored by the organization via GPS-GSM, was found dead in a hunting range belonging to a local hunting association in Maramures, North Romania. Although the association does not have a quota for hunting brown bears this year, the medical report issued by the Sanitary-Veterinary Agency shows that the bear was shot: here.

Barn swallow news

This video is called Barn Swallows Drinking on the Wing (Narrated by David Tennant) – Earthflight – BBC One.

From the BTO Bird Ringing “Demog Blog” in Britain:

04 July 2012

10 Millionth Milestone continued…

Back in Feburary we posted a story regarding a Swallow that was the 10 millionth record to be added into the EURING databank (click here to read that post).

This female Swallow was ringed on 16 April 2011 in Malta, while on passage and was later caught by another ringer in Raby, Czech Republic on 19 Jun 2011. She would have then travelled to South Africa for the winter, and we have just heard that this bird is now back at her breeding site in the Czech Republic!

Current reports of Swallow breeding success in the UK have not been good so far this year. Growth of chicks has been slower than normal and some failed attempts have been reported, especially during the wet and stormy weather. Hopefully the latter half of summer will be more benificial to Swallows.

Stop European bird crime

This video is called Birds at Birdlife Malta’s Reserves.

From BirdLife:

European BirdLife Partners take action against European bird crime

Thu, Jun 14, 2012

Across Europe, birds suffer from a wide range of persecution: illegal poisoning, shooting, trapping, and the theft of chicks for the bird trade are common practices. Recently, five European countries were confronted with cases of illegal killing. The common, even if illegal, practice of using poison baits to eradicate carnivores and rodents causes huge damage to wildlife as well as to livestock and crops. In some cases it can explain the decline of specific bird populations in Europe. Moreover, the poisons used are usually unnecessarily strong and often illegal.

The BirdLife Partners in Hungary, Greece, Cyprus, France and Malta have taken different types of measures to halt illegal killing of bird practices and to limit their damages on biodiversity.

In Hungary, illegal killing of birds threatens rare majestic birds

Over the last decade in Hungary, more than a thousand protected birds have been poisoned including White-tailed Eagles, Saker Falcons, and Common Buzzards. More birds have been, and are still, the victims of other illegal practices such as trapping or shooting.

MME (BirdLife in Hungary) has just begun the coordination of a new Life+ project (co-financed by the EU) in cooperation with eight other organisations, aimed at supporting the slow growth of the Eastern Imperial Eagle population in Hungary, and more widely, at finding solutions to control illegal hunting of birds.

In Greece and Cyprus, poisoned bait targeting wild animals is killing rare birds

In Greece and Cyprus, poisoned baits against carnivores are a very common practice. However, it causes huge damageable to wildlife and especially birds. For example, it has been a key factor in the Griffon Vulture population decline in Cyprus, now on the brink of local extinction.

Since the beginning of the year, in Greece, several Griffon Vultures, Golden Eagles, Common Buzzards and European Vultures, were found poisoned because people targeting wolves, bears and other carnivores had put out dead horses, foxes and dogs laced with Carbofuran, a very toxic insecticide that is illegal in most of the European countries.

Both organisations strongly advocate for their governments and the EU to take effective measures.

Read HOS (BirdLife in Greece) and other environmental NGOs’ letter to Commissioner Potočnik here.

Also, they are active on the ground. For example, BirdLife Cyprus together with three partners in Cyprus and Greece will implement the “Cross Border Cooperation Programme Greece-Cyprus” (co-funded by the European Commission and Greek national funds), launched in 2011, with the ambition of restoring the Griffon Vulture population in Cyprus.

BirdLife Cyprus has also just published a new report on winter trapping s highlighting the 2.8 million birds illegally trapped in the country in 2011. See here.

The French fashion of ‘chemical treatment campaigns’ endangers birds

Despite the alarm sounded by LPO (BirdLife in France) about the damage they cause to wildlife in the French region of Auvergne, ten new French regions have asked the French Ministry of Agriculture to implement, in their territories, chemical treatment campaigns targeting rodents like the vole and wild carnivores such as foxes, ferrets and … weasels.

However, since November 2011, 44 raptors (28 of which were Red Kites) have been discovered dead by poisoning in Auvergne, indirect victims of the treatment campaign targeting wild animals.

Red Kite is the species hit most by this in the country (58% of birds). The French population of this species is the second largest in Europe. Consequently, France has a responsibility in its conservation at a European level.

Moreover, the “treatment substances” commonly used are strong toxins like bromadiolone but also forbidden substances such as anticoagulants or pesticides like Lindane.

LPO is activelly advocating for the French government to stop the treatment campaigns and to implement measures ensuring the protection of Red Kite.

In Malta, hunting of endangered birds during the migratory season remains an issue

In Malta, carcasses of protected birds, including gulls, Ospreys, Western Marsh-harriers, Common Kestrels, Common Swifts and European Bee-eaters, can be discovered throurough the island. Illegal hunting of birds is a tradition in the country that seems difficult to end.

BirdLife Malta has been leading a campaign for several years against illegal hunting and trapping activities. Actions include the coordination of two annual conservation camps: Spring Watch in April and Raptor Camp in September. Spring Watch 2012 has just ended: More than 50 volunteers from across Europe joined Maltese conservationists on the ground to record data on migratory species from Africa passing through Malta on their way to Europe, and to report illegal hunting incidents to the police.

This year’s spring hunting season BirdLife Malta recorded more than 730 hunting illegalities (751 in 2011), including hunters targeting protected species, exceeding quotas, hunting outside legal hours and not wearing the legally required armbands.

BirdLife Malta is actively advocating for the Maltese government to take action against these uncountable illegal practices in the country, and on the other hand, to put an end to the hunting derogation existing in the country, decreed illegal by the EU and that dangerously threatens the wildlife.

BirdLife in Hungary (MME), in Greece (HOS), Cyprus, France (LPO) and Malta hope that their action will permit the recovery of threatened species populations that are suffering from uncontrolled illegal killing in their countries, and also, that it will contribute to the halt of illegal hunting in Europe.

For more information please contact Elodie Cantaloube, Media and Communication Assistant at BirdLife Europe.

European governments heading for biodiversity disaster: here.

Britain: Ex-police officer pleads guilty to stealing wild bird eggs: here.

British turtle doves endangered

This video says about itself:

Illegal Trapping of Turtle Doves 2 May 2011, Red Tower (Malta), CABS Bird Guards.

CABS and police seizing nets and live Turtle Dove decoys at the Red Tower (Malta) on 2 May 2011, trappers are running away.

From daily The Morning Star in Britain:

RSPB scrambles to save turtle dove

Wednesday 09 May 2012

Conservationists will launch a last-gasp effort to save the turtle dove tomorrow.

Numbers of the bird — traditionally seen as a symbol of love and devotion — have dropped by more than 90 per cent since the 1970s.

But scientists have been left scratching their heads about the cause of the dove’s decline.

It may be they’re being shot down during their annual migration as they pass over the Mediterranean, but the RSPB will be investigating the possibility it’s being caused by changes to farming patterns hitting their traditional diet.

See also here.

Maltese bird-killers in Egypt

This video says about itself:

This video shows the illegal killing of protected and critical endangered birds of prey, storks and waterbirds by a group of Maltese hunters at Lake Nasser, Egypt.

Several Spoonbills, White Pelicans, Egyptian Vultures, Glossy Ibisses [see also here], an Osprey, a Short-toed Eagle, a Bonelli’s Eagle, a Lanner Falcon, a Honey Buzzard, a White Egret and a White stork are being shot on this trip alone.

CABS and IAR Malta decided to publish this footage (which was filmed some years ago) to show the world the true face of these so-called hunting trips. To protect the identity of the poachers their faces and voices have been blurred.

Contact for more information:

CABS – Committee Against Bird Slaughter
(Komitee gegen den Vogelmord e.V.)
Tel.: 0049 228 66 55 21
Email: info@komitee.de
Website: www.komitee.de/en

See also here.

May 2013. Disturbing evidence has emerged from the Mediterranean coast of Egypt: Bavarian Broadcasting have documented a total of 700 kilometres of nets set to catch birds. The birds are then offered as a delicacy in markets and restaurants across Egypt: here.

March 2012: BirdLife Malta has welcomed the European Commission’s reaffirmation of its stance on trapping in Malta. This makes clear that Malta cannot justify a trapping derogation under the Birds Directive nor ensure strict control of trapping practices: here.

Malta hunting committee ignoring science, conservation and the EU: here.

Spring Watch 2012, an international camp organised by BirdLife Malta every spring aimed at monitoring illegal hunting of wild birds, will take place this year between 15th and 30th April. The event coincides, as always, with the peak spring migration and consequently the highest illegal hunting and trapping activity: here.

Over 730 illegal hunting incidents were recorded by BirdLife Malta’s Spring Watch teams during the spring hunting derogation period between the 12th April and 30th April, BirdLife Malta announced today. This figure is based on an initial analysis of the data gathered by BirdLife Malta’s Spring Watch teams and does not include illegalities recorded by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter: here.

Malta: Case Study In NATO Subversion And Coercion: here.

Marsh harrier flying

This video from Malta says about itself:

Recorded at Birdlife Malta‘s Office. These Marsh Harriers had been illegally shot. After being rescued they recieved veterinary treatment and are now undergoing the first stages of rehabilitation. Hopefully they will make a full recovery and will be released back into the wild in due course.

Today, as the train passed Naardermeer nature reserve, a marsh harrier flying.

Related articles

• Shot pallid harrier being taken to Sicilian rehab centre (timesofmalta.com)
• CABS lists hunting contraventions (timesofmalta.com)
• Tree pipit, Montagu’s harrier, skylark (dearkitty1.wordpress.com)
• Busy days for CABS and the police as they chase the hunters (timesofmalta.com)
• Savi’s warbler, willow warbler, wren and curlews (dearkitty1.wordpress.com)
• Montagu’s Harrier landing on a perch (incertain2.wordpress.com)
• Saudi Arabia birdwatching (dearkitty1.wordpress.com)
• Fox cubs born on bird reserve greet the world (and there’s no shortage of feathery food) (dailymail.co.uk)
• A new promising season on board (maltaseabirdproject.wordpress.com)

Maltese criminals kill storks

This video is called 3 juvenile White Storks in their nest at WWF Nature Reserve Marchegg, Austria.

From BirdLife:

White Storks hunted down

Fri, May 20, 2011

The largest flock of White Storks ever recorded in Malta shot at from several different locations, as the birds sought overnight shelter in Malta.

At least six the 200-strong flock of storks were seen to be shot down, while another injured stork was recovered but had to be euthanized by a vet. Another two injured storks were recorded in flight with dangling legs and missing feathers. A shot Glossy Ibis another rare migratory bird for Malta, was also received by BirdLife from Zabbar.

The flock of 200 White Storks arrived in Malta on 18 May. The BirdLife Malta office immediately informed the police and mobilised its field teams to monitor the birds and ensure their safety.

A hunter was reportedly apprehended by the ALE after shooting one of the Storks in Madliena, and another was apprehended by the ALE in Zurrieq with two dead storks.

The flock eventually flew towards the Luqa airport area and two groups roosted at Ta’ Kandja and Zurrieq. BirdLife Malta teams, the ALE and two MEPA environment officers watched over the birds until they roosted in the evening. BirdLife Malta, joined by 9 local volunteers, maintained a watch through the night on the two known roost sites at Ta’ Kandja and Zurrieq.

During the night watch both teams heard distant shots coming from other areas.

A member of the public reported an injured stork in his field in Zurrieq. The protected bird was recovered by BirdLife and taken to an independent vet. However it had to be euthanized due to substantial gunshot injuries, including an open fracture to wing and a fractured leg.

On the 19 May morning, BirdLife volunteers recorded several shots on the birds that left their roosts and at least one other Stork was shot down. The team also filmed another Stork with a dangling leg, consistent with typical gunshot injuries.

“The sighting of White Storks is a reason for joy in many countries around Europe as they are one of the most majestic species that represent the phenomenon of bird migration. Yet, in Malta their appearance causes enforcement officials and bird watchers to rush to their vehicles to protect them from the brutal hunting we witnessed over the last 24 hours.” said Nicholas Barbara, BirdLife Malta conservation and policy officer.

“Despite the efforts of our teams, the police, and MEPA’s environment officers at least seven storks were killed. Some of the birds are still flying over Malta and if they do not continue with their journey but decide to spend another night, we fear that more might be slaughtered.” continued Barbara.

BirdLife Malta calls on the Office of the Prime Minister to significantly increase minimum penalties for illegal hunting, and permanently revoke licenses for all serious hunting and trapping contraventions, as this scenario repeats itself in the Maltese islands every single migration season.

July 2011, Malta. The law courts in Malta have sentenced a hunter to two years imprisonment and a €9,000 fine, and another to one year imprisonment and a €5000 fine, for targeting protected White Storks on the 18th May this year. All hunting licenses were permanently revoked for both individuals: here.

September 2011. Members of the German-based Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) have discovered the corpses of numerous dead migrant birds shot by poachers on the Dwejra Lines, an old fortification in Malta: here.

Bird crime in the Netherlands: here.

BirdLife Partners from 38 European countries have released information about the illegal killing and trapping of birds that occurs across the continent: here.

New book: THE BREEDING BIRDS OF MALTA: here.

Malta criminals kill spoonbills

This is a spoonbill video.

From BirdLife:

Record number of Spoonbills seeking shelter from storm greeted with gunfire in Malta

Mon, Feb 21, 2011

Starting last Friday, and continuing into the weekend, illegal hunters have been targeting rare protected Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia as a record three flocks totaling around 70 Spoonbills sought shelter in the southeast of Malta from gale force winds.

Many vehicles followed the birds, which are scarce but regular visitors to the islands, along the coast as the flocks dispersed to seek roost sites. The BirdLife Malta (BirdLife Partner) office received several reports of illegal hunting, including a report of 11 spoonbill being killed in Delimara. The reports were forwarded to the Malta police force, who sent patrols to the area.

BirdLife Malta fieldworkers sent to the area heard over 25 shots from St Thomas Bay, with several more from Delimara where a team was told the police had confiscated a shotgun.

BirdLife Malta received photos of a hunter who fired a total of 6 shots at several spoonbill, within just a few metres of residences in Marsascala. The photos were passed onto the police to help with investigations.

On Saturday at least 13 shots were heard from St Thomas Bay area. Only six spoonbill were seen leaving their roosts, one of which had a dangling leg – an injury consistent with gunshot injuries.

“These so called hunters have shot at protected species during the closed season on their migration to their breeding grounds” said Nicholas Barbara, BirdLife Malta Policy and Conservation officer.

“The Eurasian Spoonbill is listed under Annex I of the Bird Directive and is considered a rare bird in Europe. We hope that the remaining Spoonbills have made it safely off the islands.” concluded Barbara.

If you would like to help stop the illegal killing on the Maltese Islands, read more about BirdLife Malta’s international Spring Watch conservation camp here.

BirdLife Malta on the shooting of roosting Marsh Harriers: here.

Turtle dove hunting in Malta: here.

September 2012. BirdLife Malta have slammed both the Maltese government and the opposition for vying for hunters’ votes while disregarding the overwhelming majority’s disagreement with the ongoing infringements from the EU nature laws: here.

“American birds of prey at higher risk of poisoning by pest control chemicals”: here.

Hunting ban in the Netherlands

This video is about illegal hunting of birds in Malta.

After the Dutch province of Utrecht, Gelderland province has restricted hunting as well because of the severe winter weather.

As long as the winter weather lasts, there will be no more hunting of mallards, wood pigeons, pheasants, and rabbits. Also, killing of grey lag geese, greater white-fronted geese [see also here], mute swans, and coots will be stopped.

However, deer and wild boar can still be legally killed in Gelderland.

This is a Dutch wild boar video.

Robins’ migration to Malta

From BirdLife:

Remarkable Robins land in Malta – Scientists working as part of BirdLife Malta’s (BirdLife Partner) ringing scheme recently captured two remarkable European Robins Erithacus rubecula. One bird had flown 1100 km from the Czech Republic in just 27 days, whereas the other bird had travelled 2200 km from Russia within 42 days.

The birds were identified from the uniquely numbered rings that were attached to their legs. After the rings were read, and scientific measurements taken, the birds were immediately released back into the wild. “This is an amazing feat for a 13 gram bird that must face the full power of the elements on an exhausting migratory journey”, said Mark Gauci, Head of BirdLife Malta’s Ringing Scheme. “These scientific records show once again the importance of Malta as one of the main migration routes taken by various bird species”.

Some birds make long treks south during wintertime, but the Artic tern bests them all, flying on average 44,000 miles (70,900 km) on its annual migration from pole to pole, according to a new study: here.

ScienceDaily (Jan. 28, 2010) — Birds largely rely on their sense of smell to navigate on their long migration routes. Indeed, the “third sense” has been shown to be a more important for them than orientation based on the sun and the earth’s magnetic field. Exactly how birds navigate on their migration routes has not yet been fully clarified. How does a bird develop an “internal map”? How does it find its way back to last year’s nest? Here.