Malta Migration

Malta Migration Massacre

 

Most of you who read my wildlife blogs are interested in the world of nature. You enjoy walking in the woods, watching the birds and listening to their singing. But what if there were no birds? What if we could no longer enjoy the sight of swallows swooping low over the ponds in search of insects, watch the sickle-winged swift soar high in the sky overhead, or hear the definitive sound of spring – the cuckoo? We would lose our summer. Sometimes, we might not even be aware of the swallows twittering around the barns or gathering on the telephone wires; they are summer’s background sounds – but we would soon miss them if they weren’t around. Yet each year, the numbers of our migratory birds are decreasing, and although there are many factors to take into account, one major finger of suspicion points directly at Malta. Malta is an idyllic Mediterranean holiday isle, destination for thousands of British tourists each year. Malta is also a place where thousands of birds, many on their way to Britain to breed, are shot.  Birds affected include kestrels, ospreys, cuckoos, bee-eaters, swifts, marsh harriers, purple herons, swallows, golden orioles and pallid harriers. There are many others.

 

Chris Packham with a swift killed by hunters

This April, naturalist and television presenter Chris Packham, together with three colleagues, is working on an independent, self-funded project to raise public awareness of the plight of Malta’s migratory birds. With the support of Birdlife Malta, the team will produce a series of videos depicting their findings as they infiltrate the hunting grounds. Chris states, ‘It will not be pretty. The species killed include many UK favourites and rarities and the hunters are infamous for being confrontational and violent. I don’t care, this is not a holiday. It’s an attempt to bring this forgotten issue to a wider public attention and then to offer a couple of ways in which the viewers can actually do something to effect positive change.’

 

Little Bittern

The problem is that Malta has a controversial exemption from the EU Birds Directive – a ruling which aims to protect all European wild birds and the habitats of listed species – and this exemption allows hunters to shoot a limited number of turtle doves and quail during the spring migration. Malta is the only country in the EU that has a recreational spring hunting season, but the hunters are ignoring the restrictions and killing other birds that are meant to be protected. Sadly, even the ‘allowed’ turtle doves, whose soft call once resonated across our land, are now so rare that their numbers have dropped by 95% in the UK. Not all the Maltese people are hunters of course – the large majority wish to see migrating birds protected and they oppose spring hunting, yet successive Maltese governments have failed to bring the illegal killing of birds under control. So, each year in spring over 10,000 hunters cluster on this small island to ‘enjoy’ their sport.



This Montagu's Harrier was too badly injured to save

 

Montagu's Harrier

Amongst the birds that Chris Packham came across this week was a swift that had been illegally shot, no doubt winging its way back to Britain. Swifts can live for twenty years and during the course of their lives fly millions of miles from Africa to their breeding grounds in Britain and back again, unfortunately passing across Malta on their journey. He also watched a hunter with dogs and noticed that one of the dogs was carrying a little bittern in its mouth. When the hunter saw that he was being watched, he hurried off, leaving the bird behind. Little bitterns are exceedingly rare in Britain. The team found another rarity, a magnificent Montagu's harrier, which had been shot. This was another stunning individual that will never effortlessly circle our skies again. The Montagu's, a female, had her wing shattered at the joints, and sadly, had to be euthanised. This particularly harrowing episode of the video diaries perhaps puts into perspective more than anything else just why we must all try to get this horrendous and barbaric practice banned. In Britain, a Montagu's is hailed as a rare and spectacular sight, yet to the Maltese hunters, it's just another flying target.

 But why do the hunters kill the so-called protected birds? It could be because they regard them as trophies; sadly taxidermy is becoming popular once more, and the birds’ stuffed bodies can be sold for a lot of money to collectors. One hunter pointed out that younger men ignore the rules and take pot shots at anything that flies. It’s good target practice. The Maltese hunters are against Birdlife Malta – they believe they are interfering with Malta’s birds. Yet they are not – the birds are not exclusive to Malta, they belong to Africa and Europe, too. Many of these shot birds would have been making their way to breeding sites across Britain. Each spring Birdlife Malta seek out injured birds and take them to a vet in the hope that a few, at any rate, might be saved, but very few recover enough to be released.

 

Another problem is that the hunters are unfair. Recently, over the holidays, local people were camping on one of the few public spaces in Malta. The hunters insisted that the police moved them on so they could shoot uninterrupted.  Hunters have also wrecked bird reserves on the island by chopping down hundreds of trees and polluting lakes with oil. They have even broken into the reserves to shoot the birds sheltering there. Few of them have been caught.

 

So, how can you help? You will find the video diaries and many more details if you visit:

http://www.chrispackham.co.uk/    .

 A letter or email to your local MEP would bring the matter to their attention, and if we all do this, then just maybe the laws will be properly enforced in Malta.  You can find your MEP here: www.europarl.org.uk/en/your_meps/list-meps-by-region.html

 

You might like to donate to Birdlife Malta, to help them in their fight against the hunters:

www.indiegogo.com/projects/stop-spring-hunting-on-malta

As Chris Packham points out, the bird life in Malta is stunning and it could attract thousands of bird watchers to view the spectacle each year. But the vast majority of bird lovers won’t go while there is a possibility that the birds might be shot. Would you?

 

Pictures provided by and copyright of Chris Packham

SKYLARK SUE’S REFLECTIONS OF NATURE 

March 2014

 

 March 1st proved to be a mild day with some sun – it certainly didn’t roar in like a lion, so whether it will go out like a lamb we have yet to find out. On the 3rd, a female chaffinch was spotted on our neighbours’ fence, so it is good to know that they are around once more. Just as with goldfinches, chaffinches, although so common in many gardens, tend to elude us. Many of the usual birds, such as dunnocks, were around the garden and on the hanging feeders and trays.

There were eight magpies altogether in the tree.

Collared doves

Cheerful crocuses

 After a frosty start, the 4th of the month turned sunny. Eight very noisy magpies were in the tree across the road – whether they were parents with last year’s brood, or were just using the tree as a meeting place I have no idea. Certainly, magpies do breed in the oak tree opposite each year. March 5th saw the usual bird visitors to the garden, including two collared doves. These birds always look so ‘well-groomed’ and sleek, and they also appear gentle, yet can be very vicious, attacking other birds especially in the breeding season. Two doves and a robin were sharing the feeder, though, without animosity. The garden was very 'yellow', what with the crocuses, daffodils and forsythia. It looked so cheerful.

Egyptian goose

Egyptian goose



The grebes were starting to pair up at Hatfield Forest



Female mallard

 

Coltsfoot



On the 8th of March, I went to Hatfield Forest. It was still mild and sunny. One of the more unusual visitors at the lake was an Egyptian goose, quite an elegant bird, at least while it was on the water. Out of the water, it seemed ungainly and slightly podgy! The grebes were beginning to display, occasionally bobbing up and down though not holding weed in their beaks and dancing, and the black-headed gulls were getting their black heads back after moulting into white for the winter. There were swans, Canada geese, mallards and coots on the lake, too. Many of the woodland paths were still very muddy after the February rains, but there were a few primroses out, as well as coltsfoot, while the pussy willow was turning yellow with pollen. The next day, the 9th, was a glorious warm sunny day, with plenty of crocuses, kerria japonica, daffodils and snowdrops in bloom in the garden.  I saw several brimstones, too, and some darker butterflies which were too quick for me to identify but could well have been peacocks. It turned cooler on the 10th, but soon picked up again.



The pussy willow with its golden pollen

Black-headed gull




Bullrush or reed mace

Large bumble bee on purple crocus at Anglesey Abbey

Comma butterfly at Anglesey Abbey

A trip to Anglesey Abbey on March 12th revealed gardens that were ablaze with spring bulbs and flowers, including daffodils, crocuses, anemone blanda, hellebores, Daphne, aconites and narcissus. Bees, both large fluffy bumble bees and smaller honey bees were gathering pollen while a few early butterflies, including comma and brimstone, were in evidence. There were a mass of celandines by the mill stream, beautifully reflected in the water and moorhens were on the stream, too. Sticky buds were forming on the chestnut trees, and it was a glorious day with blue sky, and robins and blackbirds singing loudly. Maybe spring really is coming early? Certainly, birds were in full song, and what with the bees, butterflies and other insects, it was difficult to remember that it was only early March.



Bee on anemone blanda

Bee on anemone blanda



Iris

A host of daffodils

Reflections of celandines

Sticky bud

 

 

Starling, beautiful against the blue sky

On the 13th, there was a goldfinch in the garden again, I wish they would come more often – we certainly put out all types of food.  The warm weather continued and the 14th of March was beautiful. All the usual birds were around, including blackbirds, starlings and collared doves. A starling perched on the apple tree looked beautiful in the sunshine against the blue sky, with the light illuminating its feathers. Strangely, though, we still hadn’t seen any blue tits investigating the nest boxes, which was unusual as normally they would have chosen a box by now. The goldfinch was back on the 16th, as well as some peacock butterflies and several bees. It was still warm and sunny.

 

 

 

 

Dew-encrusted moss

The weather turned during the following week, and by the 22nd it was chilly.  The following day we had a heavy shower of hail. On the 24th I made a brief trip to Broxbourne, and noticed a thick crop of moss, encrusted with dew and sparkling in the sun.  We often ignore moss, yet it is so delicate and very pretty. I was looking back through my past records, and noticed that last year, on March 25th I had been photographing thick snow and icicles. Hopefully, we will be snow free now till next winter.



Oxlip

Cowslip



Small tortoiseshell emerging from garage

Scented violets

Spring snowflake

On the 26th, I saw a sparrow perched on our greengage tree pecking at the blossom, I hope it doesn’t continue to do that as we would like some fruit this year!  Yet again we had a very heavy hail storm, turning the garden white for a while.  On March 30th, a small tortoiseshell butterfly emerged from the confines of the garage where it had presumably been hibernating over the winter and was soon fluttering free.  There was a male chaffinch in the oak tree opposite. Flowers are quickly opening – in the garden, on the 30th March, there was a tub filled with scented violets (we grow them in a tub otherwise they become engulfed with the unscented dog violets), as well as cowslips, oxlips and fritillaries. There were also some pretty spring snowflakes (Leucojum vernum). On 31st March, I was pleased to see that the smooth newts are back in our small pond. Hopefully they will breed again; they seemed very successful last year.

 

 

Robin on the feeder

Blackthorn has been in bloom for the last two months

 March has been exceptionally mild, even though we did experience a few hailstorms. With plenty of sunshine, the bees and butterflies have appeared earlier than usual – hopefully, they will do well and we shall experience another ‘Butterfly Summer’, just as we did last year.

Morning sunlight illuminates pusssy willow at Hatfield Forest

SKYLARK SUE’S REFLECTIONS OF NATURE 

February 2014

 

Oak tree against blue sky on the first day of February 2014

Female blackbird and house sparrow at a feeder



Female sparrow

February started bright, though windy and although a few birds were around the garden there still seemed to be an abundance of natural food, so we were seeing less birds than we usually do at this time of the year. On the 2nd the feeders were scrubbed and cleaned: it is important to do this regularly to prevent the spread of disease. We were particularly pleased to see a goldfinch in the apple tree, as although these handsome finches are becoming much more widespread in gardens than they were a few years ago, they are still rare visitors to our garden. Also, when they do come, they feast on the fat blocks, ignoring the niger seed which is meant to be a favourite food. This year, though, we intend to plant some teasels, so maybe they will encourage these birds. Also in the garden were house sparrows, blackbird, wood pigeons and a pair of robins, and there were blue tits in the oak tree across the road.

Dunnock

The 3rd of February brought a magpie and some collared doves to join the blackbirds and sparrows. The next few days saw heavy rain and high winds. On the 5th we recorded an inch of rain in the gauge, and there was flooding all around the Bishop’s Stortford area. Further afield, vast areas of the Somerset Levels were under water, while at Dawlish the stretch of railway that runs along the coast disappeared into the sea when the embankment collapsed.  The West Country seemed to be particularly badly hit by the heavy rain and flooding. There were a pair of dunnocks in the garden the following day. Despite their, at first glance, drab colouring, a closer look reveals that these are delightful, subtly-shaded birds in their grey and brown speckled plumage. They sing sweetly, too. The sky was brilliant blue, highlighting the delicate colouring of the woodpigeons in the oak tree. On the 8^th February, I saw one of the brightest rainbows I have seen for years stretching across some fields in Harlow near a garden centre. It was magnificent, and it was a double bow. We had a magpie in the apple tree the same day. These birds are much bolder than they were even a couple of years ago.

A magnificent rainbow

Flooding at Harlow Mill

Flooding at Harlow Mill

On the 9th of February I went to investigate the river levels at Harlow Mill – the water was pouring through the weir in a torrent, the noise was tremendous. It had burst its banks and was surging along – brown and muddy rather than the usual clear, sparkling water. On a nearby grassy bank, however, there was a beautiful display of snowdrops, a sign that spring will soon be with us.

 

Early sign of Spring

 

Grey squirrel on the feeder



The squirrel had a noticeable white stripe around its middle

There was a grey squirrel was in the garden on the 10th. I hadn’t seen one around lately so presumably, as with the birds, squirrels are finding plenty of natural food around at the moment. The squirrel sat on the fence for at least ten minutes, and had an unusual white stripe of fur around its back, just above the legs, which will make it easier to recognise if it returns. All the usual birds – robins, wood pigeons, sparrows and others were down on the feeders. Later, we had a brief hailstorm, covering the ground and the glass of the conservatory with icy stones.

 

The glass roof was covered in icy hail

 

Long-tailed tit in the bushes

 

Robin singing sweetly in the Town Park, Harlow



Glossy-green-headed mallard at the Town Park, Harlow

Moorhen in the reeds at the Town Park, Harlow

 A trip to the town park on the 12th was feast of bird song, with robins, tits and blackbirds attempting to out sing each other and it was good to see long tailed tits, which have always been one of my favourite birds. There were mallards, moorhens and coots on the lake. However, it was very windy, which made it feel cold, so we didn’t stay for long. A return visit to Harlow Mill on February 16th showed the river still swollen, running high and fast, though beginning to ease a little. Many plants are coming into bloom in the garden, such as hellebore, crocus and mini daffodils.

Still flooded, one week later, at Harlow Mill

A robin poses in the garden



Male blackbird

By the 19th, much calmer, brighter conditions had arrived, and there were more birds round the feeder pole including robins, great tits, blackbirds, house sparrows and collared doves. A handsome male blackbird was enjoying the food on the feeders the following day. A beautiful sunny day on the 22nd showed the opening spring flowers to perfection – crocuses were blooming in the garden, and the cotoneaster was showing off its orange/yellow flowers. Daffodils were also in bloom.

 

 

 

 

Crocuses opening wide in the sun

 

Cotoneaster

 

By February 26th it was noticeable that blackthorn had fully opened everywhere, and its starry white flowers shone from the hedgerows. It seems earlier this year; it’s always a welcome harbinger of spring. Daisies, dandelion and various other small wild flowers were in bloom along roadside verges – the new policy of not mowing verges is paying dividends. The council save money, but also save the wild flowers as they can set seed, meaning the verges will be colourful for most of the year. The weather has been sunny and feeling spring-like of late, and birds such as blackbirds and robins already seem to be pairing up and seeking out nest sites. We must hope there isn’t an icy spell later.

To sum up, this has been, on the whole, a mild month, though with several days of heavy rain and strong winds. There have been blue sky and sunshine days, too, which seem to be fooling the birds into early nesting behaviour.

Collared dove on the bird table

 

 

Wood pigeon illuminated in the oak tree