Friday, 15th February 2008
Stop Being ‘Twits’ and Save some instead!
I’ve omitted expressions, jokes and metaphors (save for the title above) in this week’s blog, to write about an issue which ‘some’ tend to conveniently ignore on our island. It’s something I feel very strongly about and should not be ignored.
Last Saturday “Birdlife Malta” kicked off a new action within their “Stop Illegal Spring Hunting” Campaign, raising awareness about the disgraceful issue which has also resulted in us being taken to court by the EU, because of our country’s alleged infringement of the Birds Directive.
I DO have a problem with people breaking the law and I am in no way amused that due to 4% of the population who have done so since 2004, I together with YOU have to bear the consequence!
Let’s forget about the law breaking scenario for one second though, and lay down some basic facts. It is even more interesting to see WHY spring hunting is illegal in the E.U. As we all know, spring is breeding season, so yeah…that’s right! Birds migrate to a location and multiply. Sounds logical no?
No sooner do these birds swoop over our island, shotguns point to the sky and the flutter of blood stained feathers can be heard in a distance. Killing these birds as soon as they fly over our island is severing any chance of the reproduction of certain species. The Maltese islands lie on one of the main flyways of wild bird migration. This makes Malta one of the few places where people can experience a variety of species.
A total of 384 bird species have been recorded in Malta. Of these, 170 occur regularly during spring and autumn migration periods; including herons, eagles, flamingos, harriers, falcons, ospreys and many more! This gives Malta the potential to attract further more cultured tourists who enjoy birdwatching, which is steadily becoming an added attraction to the thriving tourism industry in the world.
In any argument there are pros and cons. I’m known to be very diplomatic during my interviews and elsewhere, but when I am faced with facts as crystal clear as these above, I have no other choice but to write about such a matter. Wouldn’t it be wiser for hunters to think it through and realise that they ain’t gonna shoot anymore twit when it happens to be legal if they keep killing them before they reproduce? Not even during the autumn season which happens to be legal. Many hunters have argued that during the autumn hunting season, there were not enough Turtle Doves and Quail to hunt. Scientific evidence shows otherwise!
The E.U. Law has also taken into consideration varying aspects and made very controlled and assertive allowances for specific cases. Certain birds can be killed in spring if, for example, they are shown to be causing serious damage to crops, are creating a public health and safety hazard, are affecting airport safety or are causing conservation problems. In these cases, lethal control is warranted, but only under specific licence and only in affected areas. None of these is the case in Malta.
This blog is simply about raising awareness. It is about an issue which has been ignored for too long. Ikarus saw an untimely death because his over confidence urged him to soar towards the sweltering sun. Unfortunately our feathered friends will see the same untimely death, as they frolic in the Spring sun for a very different reason…. Unless these laws be abided!
Please visit BirdLife Malta’s website for more information on the case of spring hunting and the latest action within their Stop Illegal Spring Hunting campaign www.birdlifemalta.org
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Comments
I couldn't really care if there were no more birds in the sky, my car would be cleaner.
The hunters would obviously not like that however, as their hobby would be no more. The EU are ironically trying to protect their hobby by making sure the birds are able to multiply in Spring and thus keep a steady flow of targets in the air to aim at. It's just like placing quotas on catches for fishermen. That way they can continue to enjoy their hobby during legal hunting seasons as much as they like.
If they continue to deplete the bird population by hunting during Spring they are effectively shooting down their own pasttime.
The way I see it, it's a win-win situation.
Having hunters threaten political parties with votes is bad enough.
You threatening Ira Losco by reminding her of the number of hunter fans she has (or had, as you say) is downright pathetic.
It shows exactly the lack of respect you have towards anyone that dares to say they don't agree with you.
There are also people for whom drugs are their life and they can't live without it.
Should we also let them be because you and I don't understand them.
Also, I am a fan of Ira's music - but even were I not, I honestly doubt if anyone (human or otherwise), has died after hearing her music (unlike the birds that have to die for hunter's enjoyment).
Letting them kill because it's what they're used to is not fair. People were used to smoking in restaurants in other people's face in malta too - should we have let them be because they're used to it?
They both make people feel good, but one of them is based on feeling good by killing animals.
Are you saying Ira's Music is Sadistic?
No bird has ever fallen dead from her music, and i think you very rude to even suggest that to an artist of her caliber.
Stop being a Twit, the only reason you can't see any birds in the sky is, because your friends already killed 3/4 of them.
If it wasn't for your friends and relatives we'd still have the Maltese Falcon and the owl.
Nobody talks about our natural heritage that got destroyed by this Hick Hobby and I don't understand why.
I'm not even an environmentalist!
I wouldn't even care if birds where in abundance in the Maltese islands, but clearly from your bird watching they are not abundant.
You proved Bird"lie' was not lying about birds not being abundant.
You yourself said it " we stood there for hours and not one bird".
I will fight for their right for Spring hunting again, when birds are in abundance. Why not?
Why don't your hunter friends in the mean time shoot clay pigeons?
Let me guess because the hunting dogs don't like clay?
Oh come off it.
If your relatives wanted some REAL hunting, they wouldn't hunt in Malta, but in tripoli when in a day you'd shoot down 100 birds easily in an afternoon or in America deer hunting or in the Safari shooting lions and wild animals.
Its a well known fact amongst hunters that abroad where animals are abundant, hunting is more "fun".
Hunting in Malta is just weird at the moment, i mean you'd have to be lucky if you shoot 5 birds in a day, and by international standards its embarrassing to even bother hunting in Malta.
I'm don't want to point fingers at any one here, But I don't think it's fair that these hunters have to be blamed for what they are doing.
No one can understand them, neither do I that I've got relatives who are hunters.
All I have to say Ira is to listen to both sides ... the hunter's opinion and the Birdlife's opinion. I don't think that the Birdlife are saying the truth ... there are many things which no one knows.
One thing I have to say is that I've been in a spring and autumn seasons of hunting and I stood there with my relatives reading a magazine and they stood their looking at sky for some kind of bird to pass by... we stood there for hours but nothing...
So I don't know how the Birdlife is saying that hunters are destroying many species of birds which are becoming scarce when this destruction is not occurring at all.
The last thing I have to say Ira is that you can't imagine in which state these hunters are because their passion is in a very critical state.. Hunting birds is their life and they can't live without it... can you imagine Ira living without music which is obviously part of your life?
Nice to know that there are two hunters which actually know how to write! I'm sure that the majority of you guys hunters hail from an 'intellignetia' suprema! :)
Joking apart.....
Maybe Tonio may not be that good in writing perfect English, however he still has a right like you all do! Actually we all do have the same rights. Maybe Mr Sultana could answer the question that your friend Fabian tried so much to answer, however to no avail. If you want I can repeat it for you....
BTW, prosit for the rallies! You managed to organise one without breaking anything nor beating anyone... wow he he he... Progress!
Thanks for the offer! I'll leave that offer to anyone who thinks that guns make them superior on the other common citizens, and take, use, kill and do whatever they like with property which is not theirs.
No gun or whatever make you superior on other.
My question was a very simple one! Let me repeat it...
If birds are a COMMON RESOURCE (ie. it is owned by NO individual, but owned collectively) how is it that that anyone can claim OWNERSHIP on it? Who gave the right to anyone to take something which is also mine and others'?
i think it's a simple question. The bird is not yours, neither mine. So, is it a case of who has the power (arms) gets it? It has nothing to do with me having the right to see it flying. Has I got the right to take something which is not mine?
Best regards ;-)
Please do not mix killing animals with killing human beings.
I tried to allow you figure that out on your own but you seem to keep bringing it up.
The extreme animal lovers are vegeterians whom I respect, while expect respect from, and I must say that I will only become one of them if my medical condition gets any worse. Until then every drop of blood dropped to cater for man`s food is a debateable subject.
Regards
And while we're at it, hunters can go to third world countries and practise their hobby on the hungry kids! Heqq, they would be doing them a favour hux!.... u hallina siehbi.
Pity you did your utmost to answer my question, to no avail. better luck next time :)
Nice day to you too!
We are two people who can only get as close to eachother as the sun can get close to the sea. As I said there is no straight answer to that question and there will never be. What we agree on is that nobody can claim ownership of migratory birds so using your own argument as much as you have the right to watch it fly, other licenced hunters have the right to take it. Thanks for your time.
Good day. ;-)
Maybe, in the past when it served as a source of food for those who were hungry, it served a purpose. I give a hoot what laws say, or what they do in Scotland. My question is still unanswered: If the bird is owned by NO ONE, who is giving you the right to kill it? If you claim ownership, then I have a right to claim it TOO. Thanks.... By the way, just to confirm again, I'm not a Birdlife member, NOR a vampire! Please answer me!
..... If hunters argue that they have a right to kill a bird, don't I have the same right to see it fly? If that is a common resource (ie. it is owned by no individual, but owned collectively) how is it that that anyone can claim ownership on it? Who gave the right to anyone to take something which is also mine and others'?
Maybe someone could provide me with a justified answer (no rhetoric please)
PS.. By the way, I'm not a member of birdlife / birdlie / (or whatever names the hunters are giving to this orgainsation) ... just a common, mortal citizen! ... but maybe with the same basic human rights like you.
I was just wondering why with all this love for birds no one of you has mentioned a valid reason for adhereing to this argument.
We have been accustomed to `other people` putting forward an argument and we just agree with it and join in on the side we back in order to throw our share of stones towards the other end.
With all this love for animals I can`t picture why only few hundreds of people collect to observe raptors as buskett in September when conditions are ideal, with me being one of them!
This word `Conditions` does it ring a bell ? If you know what I am talking about ?
For those illiterate on the subject the `Conditions` are specific weather conditions falling on specific dates which will allow observers more chance to meet with their desired prize.
Same goes for hunters who only with specific condtions on specified dates can feel that it might be a lucky day for them to earn their fair catch compared to abundant catches other EU hunters are accustomed to on the continent. The Spring hunting issue revolves around the argument that Malta is not a prime hunting location and the only chance local hunters have to enjoy their hobby (malti DELIZZJU) was to excersize during Spring. Kindly note that this was understood and accepted on a first instance by the EU (at least according to MIC and PN). I could type my fingers off but I am stopping here for the day..
P.S. IRA. Love your songs anyway ;-)
Congratulations on your obvious and 'hidden' talents.
What's wrong with gathering knowledge and statistics from a reputable organization such as Birdlife? How sad to see that people who enjoy watching beautiful birds soar in the skies are denied this simple pleasure because the politicians are scared of 4% of the population!
Whilst always appreciating your talent, I just became a more avid fan.
We all appreciate your talent on a national and international level however your deep knowledge on the subject of `Ornithology` and bird migration must have been a hidden talent (8th Wonder!?) . I am wondering why you are not a senior member in Birdlife Malta as you seem to repeating their rethorics. Great artists do not need cheap stunts .
Please do not forget that you have or had many fans within the hunting lobby.
Regards
Fabian Borg.
PS.. By the way, I'm not a birdlife member... just a common, mortal citizen!
I love title of this blog!
Stop Being ‘Twits’ and Save some instead!
These birdKillers are really 'twits' to say the least. It is about time that they wake up and join the population at once and for all.
Their hobby is nothing else but a bad habit or in Maltese "huwa vizzju mhux delizzju"
Thank you IRA!
Is it really just 4% of the population? With the two major parties so scared to so much as think of opposing the intimidating Maltese hunter, I would have thought that the percentage would be way higher!
I would be against spring hunting no matter what the percentage, but defying such crystal clear facts and logic in order to assuage the blood lust of 4% of the populace is downright ridiculous.