AGAMI photographers
Marc Guyt and
Martijn Verdoes are joining the 2015
Champions of the Flyway in Eilat, Israel.
Together with Gert Ottens (editor at
Birdlife Netherlands) they formed the
Dutch Knights. An all Dutch team racing for conservation. Alongside some familiar teams from last year we are delighted that many new teams are entering as well in 2015. We want to become the Champions of the Flyway and win the trophy for the team with the most money raised so the pressure is on!
This year the Champions of the Flyway are
combatting illegal trapping of migrating birds in Cyprus.
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Illegal caught European Bee-eater - one bird that will never reach Europe again...
Copyright Birdlife Cyprus |
Twice a year Cyprus, the third greatest island in the Mediterranean, is a crucial stopover site for millions of migrating birds during their sea crossings.
Due to these hugh numbers of migrating birds hunting and trapping has alwasy been part of the island history. In the past, songbirds – mainly Blackcaps and similar-sized warblers –
were trapped for consumption by the rather poor islanders who saw the
twice-yearly influx of birds as a valuable source of protein while
they scraped their meagre existence, living off the land. The impact
this had on bird populations then would have been tiny and quite
sustainable.
Nowadays however, bird trapping in Cyprus has little to do with
tradition or history. Nor is it sustainable. It has become widespread,
extensive and is driven by by profits sought by organised crime.
The reason is the demand for a local dish made from small passerines
called
Ambelopoulia which is considered a delicacy by certain members of
the Cypriot community and, perhaps more worryingly, some misguided
tourists. The dish is in such demand that would-be diners are prepared to pay
in excess of €5 per bird with the associated illegal industry considered
to be worth in excess of €15,000,000 per year.
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This is how lunch in Cyprus looks like... Ambelopoulia
Copyright Birdlife Cyprus |
The organized hunting had deep impact on numbers of birds. Many of the species caught are red list species in many countries. The support generated by the Champions of the Flyway event in
2015 will secure vital funding to aid BirdLife Cyprus in their
fight against illegal killing of birds and to help them turn the tide on
the needless slaughter.
Support us in our quest to stop the widespread, illegal killing of
migrating birds in Southern Europe. If you want to support the cause and our team, please
DONATE HERE. Every bird counts so every penny, every euro is much appreciated!
Marc, Martijn and Gert
Dutch Knights
PS: You can also like our
Dutch Knights Facebook page or follow us on
twitter.
