Bird shooting in Cyprus
With 42,000 licensed hunters, Cyprus has one of the highest hunting densities in the EU. On average, 4.5 huntsmen per square kilometre stalk here, (1.1 in Germany and 2.9 in Italy). 34 bird species have an open hunting season, including quail and turtle dove, the black francolin and 7 songbird species: blackbird, redwing, mistle thrush, fieldfare and song thrush as well as starling and skylark. Officially, 3.7 million birds a year are shot legally, but the reality is this figure is probably much higher.
During our bird protection camps in Cyprus we often witness poaching and hunting violations. One of the most frequently observed infringements is the use of illegal electronic decoys. Many devices run at night to attract quails, which are then flushed with dogs in the morning and easily shot. In the morning, hunters use callers to lure thrushes to their shotguns. During each operation we report such cases to the authorities - but in most instances the perpetrators manage to flee before to police arrive or simply switch off the callers until the authorities leave.
Also offences regarding the use of live decoys is widespread. The birds - usually collared or laughing doves - are often kept in small cages under inappropriate conditions and without sufficient or adequate food and water. We often find live decoys in poor conditions and get them seized by the authorities.
The shooting of protected bird species is - as in many other Mediterranean countries - unfortunately commonplace in Cyprus. Particularly affected are birds of prey such as marsh and montagu harriers, but also red-footed falcons. Bee-eaters are hunted as well as hoopoes. What happens with the shot animals, is not always clear. With bee-eaters it is assumed that the animals are eaten, birds of prey are probably stuffed as taxidermy trophies.