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“Malta’s War against Birds”
Written by Andy Gibb (http://pokerbird.blogspot.com/)
23 September 2009
 
 
Malta’s War Against Birds
 
What you won’t see in any travel brochure: “Watch magnificent birds of prey that have flown the length of Europe blasted out of the sky. See those that only have their legs blown away die slowly from being unable to land. Marvel at [...]

Like to ease gradually into the week, taking it easy on a Monday before facing reality on a Tuesday? Don’t read a truly ghastly report on the BBC News website then, which begins with, “An undercover investigation has found that up to two gorillas are killed and sold as bushmeat each week in Kouilou, a [...]

Our recent mini-debate on hunting and conservation (eg Mike’s post on Duck Stamps at Time to buy a Duck Stamp…or not, mine on Dove Hunts in Argentina at Fur and Feather Shoot, and a general post about Birdwatchers and the American Economy) has naturally enough stirred up the emotions and brought forth some interesting comments. [...]

In a July 1st post about Duck Stamps (Time to buy a duck stamp…or not) Mike wrote a very telling paragraph: “Yet, when it comes time to draft important conservation legislation or plan the creation a 21st Century Youth Conservation Corps, we non-extractive wildlife enthusiasts are forgotten in favor of the hook and bullet club. [...]

One of the dilemmas of having a popular blog (in bird blog terms anyway - Arianna if you ever feel like rubbing some of your magic off on 10,000 Birds let me know) is that you reach a point where - to an extent - the blog has gone beyond just being somewhere to record [...]

July is the traditional time of year in the United States to purchase the new Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, better known as the Duck Stamp. These non-postage stamps serve dual duty as both migratory waterfowl hunting licenses and entrance passes for National Wildlife Refuges where admission is normally charged.

If you’ve never heard of [...]

The United Stated Department of the Interior recently rolled out their vision for America’s next generation of nature lovers while establishing an Office of Youth in Natural Resources at the Department of the Interior. Apparently, the conservationist of tomorrow will brandish a rifle in one hand and a fishing rod in the other.
The new $70 [...]

Just what is it about southern Europe that causes some of its citizens to act like throwbacks to the Stone Age: the weather, the lack of effective policing, a hole where morality would normally reside?

I only ask because over the last two weeks a number of items have appeared on the BirdLife International website [...]

Did you know that this past Saturday was National Hunting and Fishing Day in the United States?
From our rugged peaks and mountains to our shining seas, our Nation is blessed with remarkable natural treasures. These magnificent landscapes are places where families and friends can create lasting memories and enjoy the outdoors. On National Hunting and [...]

On November 6th I was listening to the State opening of Parliament on the radio when the veteran Labour MP Dennis ‘The Beast of Bolsover’ Skinner suddenly shouted out “Who killed the harriers?” as the Queen walked in. The puzzled radio commentator asked aloud, ” ‘Who shot the haggis’, did he say?” and moved swiftly [...]

An important anniversary passed quietly by recently. It was 93 years ago this month that the last individual of what had been estimated to be the world’s most abundant bird died. On September 1st 1914 ‘Martha’, the last surviving Passenger Pigeon in existence, was found dead in her cage in the Cincinatti Zoo. The following [...]

The brave, mature hunters of Malta (motto “No bird too small to blow apart, no bird too rare to kill” perhaps?) have reacted like spoilt little toddlers to BirdLife Malta’s campaign to get them to grow up and accept that illegally slaughtering migratory birds year after year is just not acceptable, ie by not growing [...]

It’s spring - at last - and migratory birds are returning from their winter quarters, flying up through the Mediterranean and onto Europe: at least, some of them are. Unfortunately an unlucky few will be flying over Malta - a land of genuinely friendly, proud people AND some of the most brutish hunters in Europe. [...]

Thinking about where to go on your holidays next year? Thinking about the Mediterranean islands that make up Malta perhaps?

If you are, I’d really appreciate it if you thought again.

For many environmentally-aware tourists (particularly those of us with binoculars permanently round their necks) the Mediterranean islands that make up Malta are well-known for all [...]