If you'd like to support the conservation of North Cyprus birds then you may be interested in the soon to be formed association Friends of Kuskor. Formation of the group is in its infancy and more details will be released soon.
The Friends of Kuskor will act as a satellite group to Kuskor and aim to give expats and visitors the opportunity to help bird conservation in North Cyprus. Steve Cale , bird artist and author of Where to Watch Birds in Northern Cyprus has been working hard behind the scenes and hopes to have the group up and running soon.
If you’d like to offer your support to Steve please e-mail him directly
Steveshrike@aol.com
He’ll be delighted to hear from you!
Image: Kuskor
The Objects and Aims of the Society are:
To protect the birds of North Cyprus and their natural habitats.
To prevent excessive or indiscriminate killing of birds and to ensure the enforcement of relevant laws and regulations.
To bring together people interested in the bird life of North Cyprus.
To promote the study, the systematic observation and the publication of works on the Birds of North Cyprus.
The society welcomes new members and sponsors to assist its work of bird protection. Bird records from residents and visitors alike are also always welcome. The society may be contacted at the address below or by visiting their office at Vakiflar Ishani Kat 2, No 3-4, Girne (Kyrenia) where visitors are welcome. The office is usually open weekday mornings (phone to check) and is situated opposite the Cyprus Today office on the second floor of the Vakiflar Ishani office block, which is behind the Vakifbank building near the main square.
From the Cyprus Mail
11th March 2009
MORE than 1.1 million songbirds prized as culinary delicacies were illegally slaughtered by trappers in Cyprus in the past year, BirdLife Cyprus said yesterday.
Cyprus lies on a key migratory route and bird trapping has been commonplace for years. Trappers use either fine mist nets or sticks dipped in sticky lime.
"The figure is an unacceptable toll whichever way you look at it," said Martin Hellicar, executive manager for Birdlife Cyprus.
Many of the birds are served up as expensive delicacies in local restaurants, even though trapping and consumption is strictly banned, the group said.
Although the overall figure in trappings appeared unchanged for 2008 compared to 2007, there was a 50 per cent spike in trappings during the winter of 2008 compared to the same season a year earlier, Hellicar said.
A report on the situation, compiled by Birdlife Cyprus and Britain's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, has been submitted to a wildlife committee of the Council of Europe, the Cypriot government and the European Commission.
About 90 per cent of the migratory birds which fly from Europe to warmer climates over Cyprus each year are protected, and also include threatened species.
Trapping using fine mist nets spread over trees is a common method, along with lime sticks placed in bushes. Birdsong recordings are used as a lure.
The birds, known as "ampelopoulia" are served in restaurants for up to five euros apiece. They are normally fried, wrapped in vine leaves to conceal from other possibly disapproving patrons and consumed whole.
Alarming Autumn Trapping Figures from Birdlife Cyprus, January 2009
52 Red-footed Falcons shot in Cyprus
Management and Conservation of the Griffon Vulture
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