10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2014

Malta, you might recall, has the dubious distinction of being a hotspot for illegal hunting of protected birds. Like the felled Turtle Dove photographed above by the BBC.). BirdLife Malta posted about the suspected shooting of a Short-toed Eagle. Meanwhile, back in Malta, the carnage appears to be continuing.

Malta 188

Malta illegal Laws Hunting 188

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

I veer into the very heart of the delta… and find myself in the Rubbish Alley, an illegal dumping site where people of Ammoudia leave old bricks and ceramic tiles, plastic chairs and toys, toilet seats, cut palm tree trunks and a lot more. Tiny bird disappearing into the thicket, then showing on a branch – Willow Warbler.

Greece 162

Greece Serbia Hunters Cows 162

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2013

I veer into the very heart of the delta… and find myself in the Rubbish Alley, an illegal dumping site where people of Ammoudia leave old bricks and ceramic tiles, plastic chairs and toys, toilet seats, cut palm tree trunks and a lot more. Short-toed Snake-eagle. I wave my greeting; he waves back and passes on.

Greece 235

Greece Serbia Hunters Cows 235

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2011

It’s illegal to raise wild birds (even orphaned ones) without state and federal permits. Young raptors like the above Bald Eagle chick are a different matter. If you find a young hawk or eagle out of the nest and it is covered in down and is unable to stand on its huge feet, it needs to get back in the nest.

Birds 266

Birds Fox Raised Ducks 266

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2016

This species’ population is suspected to have decreased rapidly, owing to levels of hunting on the staging and wintering grounds, and habitat deterioration (largely as a result of land cultivation). In the Western Palearctic at least 20-30% of the population are shot each year, often accidentally during hunting of other species.”

Serbia 203

Serbia Montenegro Greece Bulgaria 203