Illegal trapping of little birds.

[Silki]

IIt is very illegal and carries quite a heavy penalty. I don't think it matters whether on private or public land. I walk on the land behind Praia do Carvalho, along towards Benegil from Carvoeiro, then first left after the road works. However, I am sure this rural practise goes on in many many places wherever there are trees in which to hang the traps. Obviously the culprits don't pur them in visible sight of the path, one has to go off the path and look for either large stones placed in trees with the traps balanced on top, or at the base of bushes probably with some freshly dug soil at the base and a stone to support the trap. This morning I destroyed 5 traps thankfully without any unfortunate birds caught, probably due to the windy weather and lack of sun! Sepna are the ones to contact, I am being very careful how to do this as I know there could be unpleasant reprisals if the culprits are aware of who snitched! I live here permanently and have two lovely dogs and just speaking to the vets I know what could happen.

[Silki]

Sorry, I don't know my left from my right I am so upset about this!!
Turn RIGHT after the road works, then just 50 yards round the corner there are places to park.

[Ellie]

why do folk want to kill and eat songbirds when there are chickens around?

Those Robins laying in the freezer haunted me for weeks

[maccasa]

I have contacted the "Algarve Resident" and asked the questions regarding legality and what can be done.

[Silki]

Well done, perhaps they will run an article on this, that would help get the message across.

Sepna in Lisbon have been contacted and will be dealing with this particular site but it would be good to discover other places where this is obviously going on.

Between last night and this morning I found and destroyed 17 traps, all empty except one so that was good These guys really mean business.

[Ellie]

Between last night and this morning I found and destroyed 17 traps, all empty except one so that was good These guys really mean business.

Good for you Silki..someone after my own heart

[Sharen Crane]

Whilst I find the whole songbird trapping thing quite distasteful it does concern me that Expats feel they have the right to demand changes to traditions that have existed in many European countries for centuries!

I have tried to find out if the practice of trapping songbirds is illegal in Portugal and cannot find anything that would say it is.... in the same vein though there is nothing to say it isn't!

Before we all start wading through the countryside taking the law into our own hands lets get the facts straight and try not to let emotions get the better of us!

[Ellie]

I understand where you're coming from Sharen but wild birds are decreasing in numbers throughout Europe...through loss of habitat and pollution etc.

Im not absolutely sure of this but isn't there an EU directive that says wild birds shouldn't be hunted?...maybe Ive got that wrong?

Wild birds are declining in the UK because of the above(loss of habitat & pollution which I imagine includes farmers using pesticides)

I belong to the RSPB so I have a special interest in these matters. I love wildlife, every bit of it and would do all I can to protect it

[EMM]

Sharon is right lets get the facts right .

Who are we to take too high a stance coming from a country that breeds 100,000s of game birds each year to satisfy the " sport " of shooting.
The Tories will revoke the ban on hunting with dogs.

The law will ( as in the UK ) be on the landowners side if an confrontations occur.

[Ellie]

Is that the Tories priority..to revoke the ban on hunting with dogs...my God
Ive stood in front of a fox hunt here in Lincs and told them exactly what I thought of them

Don't forget Sharen & Emm, that many 'expats' are resident in Algarve, pay taxes etc so I think as residents they are entitled to an opinion?

Im all in favour of protecting wild life..and as a member of the RSPB Birds are a priority.....there numbers are really going down

[EMM]

I certainly do not approve of this activity but so many expats like to enforce their views on local societies . We should avoid a " them and us " approach to life where ever we live.
There would only be a fraction of the semi wild cats in the algarve ( just as big a threat to wild life ) if " Expats stopped feeding them and let the natural balance take its course.
Being accosted outside of the local supermarket and being virtually blackmailed into buying cat food to give to one of these people does not go down well .

[dennisg]

Having put "EU and killing songbirds" into Google, there are several sites on this subject. I gather that the practice was banned by the EU but has been overridden by a French minister (female) who has allowed the trapping of songbirds by heavy stone traps in certain regions of France. Also Cyprus and Malta have been allowed to opt out of conforming to the law as they might otherwise leave the EU, and we couldn't let that happen, could we?
To put you off your dinner, look at 10000birds.com/cyprus-killing-europes-songbirds-for-a-snack.htm.
I agree that it is an abhorrent custom, but I doubt that the GNR would take action against the perpetrators.
All power to your elbow, Silki, and if I find any traps when I am in CVO next month I will also destroy them.

[maccasa]

Hi all - I have got confirmation from the "Algarve resident" - a lady named Eloise on the investigations team has contacted both the local police and also the local hunting organisation. They both say the practice is completely illegal and all incidences should be reported. The hunting assocaition have given me their e mail address and if we tell them where the traps are being set up, they will patrol the area and remove them + try to identify the persons invovled.

if anyone is interested, if you send me your e mail address I will forward the hunting federation details.

[Ellie]

Hi all - I have got confirmation from the "Algarve resident" - a lady named Eloise on the investigations team has contacted both the local police and also the local hunting organisation. They both say the practice is completely illegal and all incidences should be reported. The hunting assocaition have given me their e mail address and if we tell them where the traps are being set up, they will patrol the area and remove them + try to identify the persons invovled.

if anyone is interested, if you send me your e mail address I will forward the hunting federation details.

Well done on your research mac...I know when we lived out there that sort of thing went on.
There was a fella living near us who had 3 dogs and he used to bundle them into the boot of the car and with a rifle slung over his shoulder, would go off hunting
Knowing that its illegal gives me some hope that wild birds are now being given protection.
muito obrigada senhor mac

p.s. I am totally against fox hunting too here in UK..I confronted a hunt that came through our village and told them exactly what I thought of them

[Sharen Crane]

Don't lets get started on fox hunting again Ellie. I was almost lynched last time for being a supporter! x