David
Well-known member
Andre Raine of BirdLife Malta has asked me to pass on the following appeal:
Hi David.
Hope you are well and settled in to 2008 - it promises to be an interesting year out here.
Below is the info on our 2008 Spring Watch camp. Extra info is on the website at http://www.birdlifemalta.org/conservation/other_projects/springwatch/. Can you please forward round to all of your contacts? The more people we get out here this spring the better.....
I will also be on Malta with a CABS team from 27. April - 4 May.
Hi David.
Hope you are well and settled in to 2008 - it promises to be an interesting year out here.
Below is the info on our 2008 Spring Watch camp. Extra info is on the website at http://www.birdlifemalta.org/conservation/other_projects/springwatch/. Can you please forward round to all of your contacts? The more people we get out here this spring the better.....
What is Spring Watch Malta about?
Spring Watch Malta is a conservation camp which forms an integral part of BirdLife Malta's fight against illegal spring hunting. This camp is being organised during the peak spring migration period in Malta and thus the period with the highest expected hunting intensity. This spring camp will follow hot on the heels of the very successful Raptor Camp run by BirdLife Malta in September 07. During this camp, over 50 people from the UK, Germany, Italy, Finland, the USA, Hungary and the Netherlands attended. Over the two week period, a total of 209 illegal hunting incidents were recorded, with 109 of these involving poachers shooting at, shooting and injuring, or shooting and killing protected species. However, thanks to excellent communication between BirdLife Malta and the anti-illegal hunting unit of the local Police, as well as the continuous presence of Raptor Camp teams in notorious hunting blackspots on a daily basis, there was a dramatic reduction in the level of illegal hunting during the second half of the camp. As a result, large numbers of raptors were saved from the guns of illegal hunters.
When will the camp be held?
April 14 to April 29, 2008
Why is Spring Watch Malta Important?
This year, there is a strong possibility that spring hunting (which is illegal throughout the rest of the European Union) will be banned for the very first time in Malta.
If this is the case, then it is vital that BirdLife Malta maintains a strong presence in the countryside to make sure that hunters respect the law, while at the same time recording data on migratory species.
However, if Malta goes against the European Commission and once again breaks European law by allowing spring hunting, then volunteers will be needed to demonstrate the impact of this hunting season by recording the extent of hunting in spring, while at the same time making sure that hunters do not target protected species.
Either way, this camp will be crucial to the protection of a wide range of migratory species (including birds of prey, herons, bee-eaters, orioles etc.) which use Malta as a critical resting and feeding stop-over on their way back to European breeding grounds.
What's in it for you?
This is an excellent chance to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation and experience life in another country. You will be given the opportunity to get involved in serious conservation work and, more importantly, play a part in Malta's fight to stop illegal spring hunting.
What does the Spring Watch Malta camp consist of?
If spring hunting is banned, the scope of the camp will consist of monitoring the countryside to record any hunting activity taking place. This will involve using both static and active observation posts to look for hunters in the countryside, reporting any illegal activity to the police authorities, recording evidence using hand-held video and still cameras, and keeping illegal hunters under observation until the police arrive at the scene.
If spring hunting is not banned, the work of the camp will focus on recording the impact of intensive hunting on migrating Turtle Dove and Quail to demonstrate the negative impact of these activities to the European Union, the Government of Malta and the public in general. The camp will also record the illegal hunting of protected species (all species except for Turtle Dove and Quail) and liaise with police to make sure the criminals are apprehended.
Camp activities are carried out every day during the morning and afternoon. As well as monitoring migration of Turtle Dove and Quail, participants will also record migration of a range of other migratory species, including raptors, herons, bee-eaters, orioles and hirundines.
When not working on the main Spring Watch Malta objectives, participants are free to choose from a variety of planned and non-planned activities. These include both birding-related activities (such as birdwatching trips to local nature reserves) and other leisure activities such as cultural visits to historic sites, swimming and other social activities. Participation in some of these activities may include an extra cost. In the evening there will be workshops, discussions and films organized for the participants.
What skills do you need to join Spring Watch Malta?
All one really needs is enthusiasm and motivation to fight against illegal spring hunting and hunting of protected species. However, a number of volunteers are required to have good bird identification skills to accurately identify bird species and record data on migration. For those without identification skills, a crash course in bird ID skills will be provided twice during the duration of the camp.
Please note that English is the working language of this camp and all presentations and summaries will therefore be carried out in English.
What about accommodation, food and transport while in Malta?
BirdLife Malta organizes group accommodation in an aparthotel. This aparthotel also acts as the base of all activities during the camp. Standard accommodation in the form of three persons sharing a twin room will be provide. Should anyone wish to have a single room, or couples/friends wish to have a twin room without a third person sharing, this is possible at an extra charge.
Accommodation, food and transport (during camp activities) will be organized for the group.
How long does the camp last?
The camp starts on Monday April 14 and lasts for 2 weeks ending on Tuesday April 29. Monday 14th April is the first full day of camp activities therefore persons wishing to participate in the first week of the camp should ideally arrive by Sunday 13th April.
Volunteers may come for one or two weeks, depending on their availability and the flight schedule. It is advisable that attendees arrive on Saturdays or Sundays. This will help with the logistical planning of the camp. Moreover, the ID course as well as the main briefing sessions will be organised for Sunday evenings only.
How much does the camp cost?
The cost per person for a room shared by three persons on full board is 18.15 Euros. This includes:
- Shared accommodation in the aparthotel (three persons in one room)
- Continental breakfast
- Packed lunch
- Cooked buffet dinner (one main course with dessert)
- All transport during camp activities
Not included in the above cost:
- drinks (during and after meals);
- activities which are not essential to the camp’s operation;
- anything else not mentioned above.
Airport transfers will be organised for you. However, an extra charge will need to be paid to the taxi company by the camp attendees. The cost of the airport transfer is 25 Euros per transfer. We will help to organise shared airport transfers when people arrive on the same flights.
How do I book?
There are two stages to book. The first stage is to get in touch with [email protected] and fill out a booking questionnaire. After this stage, you will be required to pay a deposit to the hotel to confirm your booking.
What weather should one expect?
Weather in Malta is typical Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters. By end March beginning April the weather starts improving. Historically, April has had a highest ever recorded temperature of 29.4 Celsius and lowest ever of 6.5 Celsius. On average, the temperature ranges from 20 Celsius during the day to 13 Celsius during the night. It is probable that on some of the days it will rain.
Further information
For more information or to make bookings simply send an email to [email protected] with the subject "Spring Watch Malta" outlining any information you require.
I will also be on Malta with a CABS team from 27. April - 4 May.
