Alex Hirschfeld with a freshly-killed honey buzzard the birdwatchers saw being shot last Sunday

by Natalino Fenech

Volunteers from the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) cannot fathom why the Federation for Hunting and Conservation is stirring up such a fuss over their presence here.
"The hunters are constantly saying they are against illegal hunting. That's exactly why we are here,'' committee secretary Alexander Heyd said yesterday.
A total of 22 participants from Germany, Italy and the UK are working in 10 teams of two people each, monitoring various areas. Infringements of hunting laws are reported immediately to the camp's operations room. The information is then passed on to the police administrative law enforcement section.
Events and information about the camp are published on the committee's website every evening.
CABS members wear a green anorak with the words Bird Guard printed in bright yellow on their back.
"We want to be visible to deter illegal activities. Our members are not after confrontation. We just want to ensure the law is observed. From what we have seen so far, hunting is very intensive and contrary to the impression that's often given, it's only the few who break the law. Most hunters we saw tried to shoot birds of prey.
"On September 15, the first day of the camp, we had only two teams carry out monitoring operations against illegal hunting in the north.
"At Ras il-Wahx, we noted two hunters shoot at a marsh harrier and the bird fell out of the sky.
"Ten minutes later, the same hunter who shot the marsh marrier shot at three honey buzzards but missed them. The culprit and his vehicle were photographed by CABS team members and the police were informed.
"Later in the day, a dozen shots were heard from the direction of Rabat at a time when no hunting should have been taking place. At 5.30 p.m., a small flock of spanish sparrows was shot at.
"On Sunday 16, two team members saw a hunter shoot a honey buzzard. They gave chase and tried to spot the culprit but he managed to flee, leaving a thermos flask with hot chocolate and ammunition behind. The bird, a juvenile, was found together with 50 cartridges.
"The police were called, and they arrived swiftly on the spot. Two other hunters were caught with electronic bird callers.
"Significantly, on that day, the only shots heard after 3 p.m. were from Marsaxlokk. Otherwise there was no shooting, so there is some progress,'' Mr Heyd said.
On Monday, hunters were seen hunting at 3 a.m. using spotlights.
At 7 a.m., 25 birds of prey flew off from their roost and were shot at by a large group of hunters. A marsh harrier was killed and several birds were observed with damaged feathers.
In the afternoon, hunters were seen with guns at Birzebbuga despite the curfew, but no shots were heard.
Later two hunters were seen killing a buzzard. The police were called and arrived quickly but the hunters manage to flee.
"We saw other hunters shooting at birds of prey at Dwejra while at Dingli Cliffs, several hunters could be seen carrying guns even though hunting was supposed to have stopped at 3 p.m.,'' he said.
Mr Heyd said CABS was determined to start organising such a bird camp here every year.
"This year we came for just one week. Next year, more of us will come and spend more time here.
"We have been successful in curbing illegal hunting in Italy and within a few years, there will be the same effect here too.
"We spend millions of euros a year in Germany to protect a few pairs of honey buzzards and harriers. It is heart-wrenching to see them being killed here.
"We have found good cooperation from the police when reporting illegal activities, but the police are understaffed and are ill-equipped,'' Mr Heyd said.
Mr Heyd said the 3 p.m. curfew appeared to be working because although they saw and reported several hunters, the number seen in the afternoon was small compared to what one saw in the morning. In a number of places, considerable numbers of birds of prey could be seen roosting.
Birdwatchers keeping notes of birds seen in the Buskett area on Sunday evening saw over 70 honey buzzards and over 125 marsh harriers, most of which roosted in the valley at Girgenti. Not a single shot was heard.
Anyone who wants to follow the CABS log book can see it at www.komitee.de/en/index.php?diary2007