Optics for Malta

As most readers of this Blog will know local birders and conservationists have spent the winter raising funds to purchase optics to be presented to the police authorities on Malta to assist in their surveillance of illegal hunting on the island. Malta is well known as a hunting blackspot and as it lies on a main migration route for birds moving between Europe and Africa the impact of the hunting activities of somewhere in the region of 17000 registered gun owners (on what is a relatively small island) has ramifications for populations of birds conserved elsewhere in Europe. This year Birdlife Malta has launched "Spring Watch Malta" a conservation camp forming an integral part of BirdLife Malta’s fight against illegal spring hunting. Four local birders leave tomorrow to assist with the camps efforts and whilst there will present the optics to Birdlife Malta/ALE (local police).

I want to thank all those people who have contributed to the Optics Fund over the winter and to let everyone know that we will be presenting a total of 12 pairs of binoculars and four telescopes and tripods, an excellent achievement by everyone concerned. On our return we hope to have photos of the presentation.

For more info on the Maltese hunting issue go to http://www.birdlifemalta.org/