Hello from Malta.....

[Christopher Cachia Zammit]

Hi there,

I am Christopher,a new member to this forum. I am a 17 year old birdwatcher from Malta. I am a member of Birdlife Malta. I like taking photos of birds in the wild.

Regards

CCZ

[Brian S]

CCZ

Welcome to surfbirds. It is good to know of a young birder in Malta, as it does get a bad press from the bird shooting fraternity.

Good birding.

Brian S

[Colin Key]

Hello Christopher, and welcome.

I will echo what Brian says in that it is GOOD to have a birder of your age from a country which continues to receive such bad press because of its attitude to hunting and general flaunting of EU regulations on conservation and preservation.

I, and I am sure a lot of other members of this forum, would be very interested to here "inside views and news" from a resident Maltese birdwatcher as to what you feel the current attitude is (from the government and the general public) regarding hunting and how you see things proceeding in the future.

Hope to see some of your photographs before too long.

Kind regards,

Colin

[sue-o]

Hi Christopher,

It always does my old heart good to hear about young people interested in nature. I'm glad you've joined the group.
Sue

[Christopher Cachia Zammit]

Hi there

Thank you all for the welcome to the forum....I am happy to share any updates about birdlife malta actions about the Spring hunting and the reactions from the public and the goverment.....Right now we are working on our Spring watch camp. This camp will start on the 14 of April and finishes on the 29 of April. Our aim is to monitor illegal hunting....If you wish to join in or you need more information go to our website - http://www.birdlifemalta.org/conservation/other_projects/springwatch/.

Hope to see you at the camp....

Regards

CCZ

[Colin Key]

Very useful link Christopher, I have "bookmarked" it. Please keep us updated on any major developments.

Best wishes,

Colin

[john robinson]

Christopher
Hi keep up the great work. been to your country a few times. Wonderful place and your fight will make it so much better. For everyone "!
Cheers
John

[AndyB]

Hi Christopher, thanks for the introduction. Fingers crossed that your spring camp is succesful and keep up the good work. Best, Andy

[Jacqueline Burrell]

Welcome

I share the above sentiments as it is so good to hear of young people not only interested in wildlife but taking an active role in conversation.

I have visited Malta many times to enjoy the fabulous historial sites and the wild life. Kee up the good work, it’s a part of your heritage.

Having lived in various arts of the Middle East for the last 20 years, I am only too aware of the results of hunting for example the houbara bustard, the ultimate quarry of Arab falconers, is seriously threatened. However, with captive breedings programmes, it is hopefully not too late.

Jacqueline

[Christopher Cachia Zammit]

Hi there

This is from our local English news paper...... (http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080127/local/brussels-shoots-down-hunters-proposal)

__________________________________________________ _______________

Brussels shoots down hunters' proposal
Crucial decision on spring hunting on Wednesday
Ivan Camilleri in Brussels

The EU executive has rejected Maltese hunters' latest proposal and made it clear that there is no valid reason for spring hunting to continue, a spokesman for the European Com-mission told The Sunday Times.

Sources yesterday said that the Commission will on Wednesday meet to discuss whether Malta should be referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) over the issue.

"We have been warning Malta since its accession to the EU and the time has come to take drastic action. We expect that in less than a year the ECJ will be in a position to give a ruling. The court might also consider imposing interim measures until a final ruling is made," the sources said.

Malta is the only EU country which still permits spring hunting and the Commission has warned on a number of occasions that it will take the issue to court if the Government continues to allow the practice to take place.

The hunters' federation is arguing that the spring season should open by virtue of an exemption - known as a derogation - permitted under the EU's Birds Directive. However, the spokesman said this does not apply as hunters in Malta can already practise their hobby during the autumn season.

In a final gamble to 'save' Malta's spring hunting season, the FKNK last week said that in collaboration with European hunting organisation FACE, it had drawn up a position document "in order to allow the Maltese authorities to grant a derogation for hunting only quail and turtledove during part of the pre-nuptial migration, in small numbers and under strictly supervised conditions, by taking into account the particular bio-geogra-phical and socio-cultural situation of Malta".

However, the Commission reiterated on Friday that this is not possible and spring hunting in Malta has to stop once and for all.

"Spring hunting - that is hunting of migratory birds on their return to their rearing grounds - is prohibited under Article 7 of the Birds Directive. A derogation from that general prohibition is provided for under Article 9, which states that a fundamental condition that must be met before a derogation can be permitted is the requirement that no other satisfactory solution is available," the spokesman explained.

The latest issue raised by the federation has already been addressed by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in an almost identical case to Malta's, he added.

The ECJ has looked at this matter and concluded that another satisfactory solution is available where it is possible to hunt at another time of year - during autumn - even if a smaller numbers of birds are available then (Case C-344/03 - Commission vs Finland).

"Following this approach by the court, where a derogation concerns 'small numbers... under strictly supervised conditions' another satisfactory solution exists."

The Government has always maintained it is ready to defend its position before the ECJ, while also declaring that it will respect the court's decision. The Government has not yet decided whether to open the next spring hunting season in March.

Environment Minister George Pullicino last week said that he will wait for the opinion of the Ornis Committee before taking a final decision. Sources yesterday told The Sunday Times that the Government will not be making any move until it knows the outcome of the Commission's decision on Wednesday.
__________________________________________________ _______________

Hope for the best........fingers crossed

Regards

CCZ

[mustarastas]

Hi Chris,

does the camp start on April 14th (this date is in your post) or April 12th (on the website of BirdLife Malta). Because of my time and financial restrictions I will be able to come to Malta for the first week of the camp.

See You on Malta :)

Antek, Poland

[Christopher Cachia Zammit]

Hi there

The raptor camp starts on the 12 of April...and ends on the 29 of April...to book send an email to Nicholas Crockford (nicholas.crockford@birdlifemalta.org) with the subject "Spring Watch Malta" outlining any information you require.OK? For more info go to http://www.birdlifemalta.org/conservation/other_projects/springwatch/....

Thanks and cu at Spring watch:)

Regards

CCZ

[Vermfly]

Be careful out there. You never know what someone willing to burn 3 cars might do if they see someone watching them while they commit a criminal act.

[frankmeer]

Hi Christopher,

It always does my old heart good to hear about young people interested in nature. I'm glad you've joined the group.
Sue

I'm also 17 years old. In Holland, there are a lot of young people who are interested in nature and birds.

[Colin Key]

I find it very "heart-warming" that there are youngsters like you who are so passionate about birding, and wildlife and conservation in general.

Colin

[RaptorBirder]

Great to have you on board CCZ,

May the 'force' be with the BirdLife Malta anti-illegal 'hunting' campaign.

I've been a member for the last few years but haven't yet made a visit to the island.

Good luck with the Spring Raptor Camp.

[john robinson]

Hi Chris
Great work you are doing over there.
I have been at the "thick" end on the island . Was threatened with a shot gun by a local as i tried to photograph finch traps.
What a difference it would make to tourism if hunting ceased. Could be one of the best bird sites in the Med.
keep it up.
Cheers
JohnR

[sue-o]

I'm also 17 years old. In Holland, there are a lot of young people who are interested in nature and birds.

Hi Frankmeer,

Very nice to meet you too. I couldn't find your "Say Hello" so I'm greeting you here.
Sue