Apologies I know this is not local bird scene news but it needs to be seen by as many people as possible. Despite EU legislation the massacre of 1000’s of migrating birds over Malta very spring is still occurring, with an incredible density of the so-called hunters [80 per sq km!]. Naturalist Chris Packham has decided to try and publicise it more and is in Malta now with a team, creating a daily video diary of what is going on and what the police are, or in many cases, are not, doing about it. Please visit his web site and watch the videos. They are upsetting, but people need to know what is going on. The web site details how you can help. Thanks you for your patience. I have been to Malta and seen it first hand – it is not hunting – it’s shooting birds for fun. BTW if there are no birds they shoot butterflies – really.
Glamorgan Bird Club 
Nice one John, it’s a great campaign I think, and no need to apologise for posting it, these are very likely often ‘our’ birds after all. Conservation in this country only goes so far if migrants are being blown out of the sky like this in others. It’s hardly a new problem, and Malta is not the only place with harmful practices like these that will be having serious adverse affect, but it’s time something big was done to really draw mass attention to it and get it on European political agenda. I’ve written to my MEPS this afternoon following the links on the site, quick and easy to do. Strongly encourage everyone else here to do the same.
Well done rob, did mine yesterday, one replied straightaway -Jill evans . She also has her own campaign to get one animal welfare commissioner in each if the 28 member states.
http://www.jillevans.net/commissioner_for_animal_welfare.html
Emma Cram.