UPDATE on illegal bird trapping activity in Cyprus

Although it is not possible to draw conclusions about the long-term trends for winter trapping activity, since the standard monitoring protocol of BirdLife Cyprus is not followed for the winter, the findings from this season’s survey suggest similar levels as the 2020-21 winter season where reduced trapping was recorded compared to the 2018-19 season. [...] Moreover, in 1988 Cyprus ratified the 1979 Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, adopting a long list of birds as protected, including the Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), hence prohibiting the killing (hunting) and consumption of Blackcaps (Blackcaps are the main target species of illegal bird trapping in autumn in Cyprus, whereas in winter the main target s. [...] The surveillance programme follows a ‘Bird Trapping Monitoring Protocol’ that was developed by BirdLife Cyprus and the RSPB, in consultation with the Cyprus Game & Fauna Service and the British Sovereign Base Area (SBA) police at the start of the programme. [...] The most recent relaxation of the "Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Species” law involved the reduction of fines for the hunting and trapping with limesticks of birds from a list of 14 specific species which happen to be the target species for the illegal “Ampelopoulia” songbird dish. [...] Position paper presented at the Committee of Environment of the Cyprus House of Parliament during a discussion to change the legislation on the protection and management of wild birds and game species.