BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gallina" data-source="post: 1315507" data-attributes="member: 70029">ColonelBlimp;1315347]Well it's on the RSPB site as a Red list species: i.e. it's...Globally threatenedHistorical population decline in UK during 1800–1995Rapid (> or =50%) decline in UK breeding population over last 25 yearsRapid (> or =50%) contraction of UK breeding range over last 25 years (one of these)Yes Colonel, in the UK it is, thanks to loss of natural habitat in the main, but I don't know if you realised, we're talking about Malta here, a tiny island in the middle of the Meditteranean that is quite far away from the UK<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />. The RSPB reports only the birds in the UK of course whilst the IUCN reports on international populations. Whilst the population might be rapidly declining in the UK, it is very healthy elsewhere, hence the rating of least concern...which is often quoted as being due to hunting on migration path. You may draw a clear distinction between 'legal' hunters and poachers, but it doesn't seem that contributing to large population declines of a species labels you as whiter than white. The population of turtle doves on the continent is very healthy.Also, I can't be alone in thinking that whilst a national tradition etc., the hunting of endangered birds for sport is pretty abhorrent, whether you have a license in your pocket or not.A license for what? To shoot? Is this a serious question or what? Perhaps I misunderstood your statement</blockquote>

Verification