Bringing back the bird song - An alternative - James A. Tyrrell
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- More birds of prey found dead at birdwatching spot
- The Dwejra monstrosity! - A readers letter from James Tyrrell
- Honey Buzzards gunned down as huge flocks arrive
- Illegal sea-hunters kill protected Great Cormorant
- NGO’s seek EU clarification on spring hunting
- Hunter shoots rare bird despite police presence
- Poachers target the summer’s breeding birds
- Honey Buzzard shot and mutilated
- Video: Birdlife reveals increased levels of illegal hunting
- Mayhem and anarchy reign in Maltese countryside - BirdLife
- Spring hunting season closed
- Alternattiva Demokratika calls for an end to intimidation
- BirdLife Malta’s Raptor Camp witnessing more illegal hunting
- The Boxing Arena to feature Team Malta vs Team England
- Malta is clearly setting a terrible example - BirdLife
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A lot has been written recently about the hunting issue in Malta and I would like to comment on this from a tourist's point of view. One of the first things I noticed on my first ever trip to Gozo was that an alarm clock was totally unnecessary because as soon as dawn broke the shooting started.
The second thing I noticed was in stark contrast to the first, and that was total silence when out in the countryside for a walk. I don't mean lack of traffic noise by the way but lack of bird song. When I'm in Gozo I always go to the Bellusa Café in Victoria around 5.20pm, Joe brings me a Cisk and I listen to the birds settling in the trees opposite in the market square.
I live in N. Ireland and it's so nice to hear the birds singing in the countryside and along the shorefront. I find it really sad that Gozo has been robbed of this beautiful sound in order that hunters can take part in their hobby. My uncle for many years was one of the best shots in N. Ireland and indeed on several occasions he was selected as captain of the N. Ireland team. His hobby was clay pigeon shooting.
My suggestion therefore is not that the shooters in Malta and Gozo give up their hobby but that they switch to clay pigeon instead. One thing I have noticed on my numerous trips to Gozo is the competitiveness between the various villages. Wouldn't it be great if all the hunters from each village formed a clay pigeon club and organise competitions between the villages? With the same thing taking place in Malta the two winning teams could compete against each year for the overall title. Then of course there would be the possibility of putting together a national team to compete in international shoots. So how about it guys, is this a valid suggestion or not? As you know the hunting fraternity is very much in the minority. Rather than fighting with the non-hunting majority why not come together in a true and very competitive sport that everyone can respect and support.
Over time hopefully nature would take her course and Gozo would once again be enveloped in the beautiful sound of birds singing.
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Very good idea indeed I fully agree with you James when you said (hunters from each village formed a clay pigeon club and organise competitions between the villages? With the same thing taking place in Malta the two winning teams could compete against each year for the overall title. Then of course there would be the possibility of putting together a national team to compete in international shoots. So how about it guys, is this a valid suggestion or not?
DEFINITELY IT IS I FULLY AGREE WITH YOU
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