As I write this I am sitting in the garden of a rented cottage in Suffolk, England. I am surrounded by birdsong – from blackbirds, a robin, a wren, a song thrush, some woodpigeons, a few chaffinches, some greenfinches and goldfinches, a chiffchaff in a tall tree, a willow warbler and a yellowhammer. All common garden and farmland birds, but the activity is non-stop and sounds are intense! And I am thinking of the eight days that I have just spent in Malta where there was no birdsong.
Why do the good people of Malta tolerate having their birds trapped and shot out of existence by the minority who are shooters? When I asked this question, people would shrug and say “This is Malta – what can we do?” The answer is, of course, that there is a lot that can be done – but it must come from you, the people of Malta.
The major political parties seem to be scared of the hunters and trappers and court their votes. This is only because the hunters, who in reality are a small minority, are organised (as they have a single focus) and outspoken in their threats to use their voting power. You, the non-hunting majority, with all your variety of attitudes, priorities and commitments, aren’t yet organised enough to convince the political parties that your voice is louder than that of the hunters. It is time to do this now.
We non-Maltese have long campaigned for the ending of illegal shooting and trapping in Malta but it has been easy for the hunters to dismiss us as foreign interference in Malta’s affairs. The hunters are scared of the Maltese people opposing the illegal shooting and trapping – accusing them of disloyalty! This is demonstrated by the ferocity of the hatred directed at those good Maltese, and there are many, who have stood up to fight against it. Only opposition from within Malta is going to bring about change.
Do something about it now! Demonstrate that you have the numbers required to be a force for change. Join together and make your combined voice louder. Join BirdLife Malta (BLM), which provides this natural focus, even if you are a passive member, because numbers are important. If more Maltese become members the influence of BLM will grow – things can only get better for all. BLM doesn’t campaign to eliminate hunting altogether – only the illegal hunting – and their approach is balanced and well reasoned.
One day you may be able to sit in your garden and be amazed at the sounds of wild birds.
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