netted birds

[twitchyt]

Guess many of you will have read about the excessive amount of song birds that have been netted this seasonfor a food delicacy in cyprus, over a million, worrying the scientist and ecologists enough for their to be a warning.
l had heard of netting in the past in some european med countries, not sure how many do it legally, or illegally as in cyprus, where it is still fairly openly done, and the food sold openly in restaurants, many of the birds netted on british army bases land, so seems a lot of people are turning a blind eye to it, re goverment, theirs and ours re bases, residents, and what have the eec to say about it, little l expect, as with other breaches of standards in different countries. Cruel and sickening to kill wildlife, and en masse, and for some food delicacy, and to the extent scientists confirm its becoming an eco disaster for song birds, many caught whilst migrating, so l,m giving the birds extra food to survive the harsh winter, for the migratory ones to be at huge risk of being netted for a fancied food in cypriot homes and restaurants, which could with a will be stopped or curtailed by authorities, who appear to turn a blind eye to pander to `pc culture-tradition` even when it becomes an eco disaster. l hope enough people will complain by email or letter to authorities.

[twitchyt]

wow, guess l,m not being pc enough, but l have sent emails to mep,s, and cypriot embassy, in the hope of influencing authorities to stop the practise of netting song birds for local delicacy food dish, as many on the msn boards have, got to try help all animals and birds being persecuted and endangered.

[PMG]

Well that explains a lot about where 'our' birds are going then ..... I thought it was bad enough shooting small birds - now they're netting them. Is this neccessary? Its not Africa. They aren't starving in Cyprus. And folk wonder why I won't go abroad to the Continent or the Med or their islands ........ Its like the far east demanding to eat whale meat ....... like there isn't enough commercially produced beef, lamb, chicken, turkey?

[twitchyt]

according to scientist near a million and half song birds netted last year, when scientists talk about an eco disaster its bad, were feeding them to help them get through a harsh winter, for migratory ones to be possible netted for food, agree its totally unneccessary.

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by PMG

Well that explains a lot about where 'our' birds are going then ..... I thought it was bad enough shooting small birds - now they're netting them. Is this neccessary? Its not Africa. They aren't starving in Cyprus. And folk wonder why I won't go abroad to the Continent or the Med or their islands ........ Its like the far east demanding to eat whale meat ....... like there isn't enough commercially produced beef, lamb, chicken, turkey?

Exactly my thoughts Pauline. This practise is called 'ambelopoulia' and its absolutely sick and archaic. I don't believe Cyprus and Malta are the only ones that do this. If they got on top of this problem, as it is illegal, then they might be able to get more birders visiting and bolster up their economy through travel and tourism.

[Hobjob]

Malta is as bad - though they tend to use pop-guns more than nets.

There are groups who go out to try and reduce it if anyone has the time and inclination.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Exactly my thoughts Pauline. This practise is called 'ambelopoulia' and its absolutely sick and archaic. I don't believe Cyprus and Malta are the only ones that do this. If they got on top of this problem, as it is illegal, then they might be able to get more birders visiting and bolster up their economy through travel and tourism.

....... I wouldn't go to Cyprus or Malta if they stopped this practice tomorrow - I do not want to share any close space with anyone who thinks its ok to behave like this just because they always have .........

and PS I'm well aware that the way I feel is OTT and not constructive or helpful but the killing of small perching birds leaves me so very angry ........

[aeshna5]

When I was in Cyprus last spring on a botany/birding trip I didn't see any sign of any bird killing- though I'm not denying it occurs + would love to see it stopped. I've never been to Malta but am aware that it is a major problem there.

[diggleken]

It seems to be in the blood - but I just dont understand it.
I've mentioned this before, but the Greek island of Tilos in the Dodecanese has had a hunting ban for about 7 years or so now and its paying off as the Natura 2000 area's there are seeing an increase in birds spotted.
The islanders flew (!) in the face of government pressure and turned away hunters at the jetty and it now seems to be accepted, I wish that all med/aegean places did the same.
Fab place for a holiday too........................
Cheers
Ken

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by PMG

and PS I'm well aware that the way I feel is OTT and not constructive or helpful but the killing of small perching birds leaves me so very angry ........

Yes- I'm with you there too Pauline.