This report hit the UK headlines a few days ago: The level of songbird trapping in Cyprus this autumn has increased alarmingly. With an estimated 1.4 million birds caught this autumn, the RSPB believes that more must be done to bring this slaughter to a halt. It also stated that much of the detestable practice took place on the UK airfield. What it did not say, was that this practice had been going on under the noses of the protectors of Cyprus, the British, (a nation of animal lovers) for at least fifty years. The birds end up in jars and are fed to the mindless tourists, that are there for the sun and to soak up the ethnic charm of the island.

Over the time the British have been in Cyprus and have turned a blind eye, the number of songbirds migrating successfully has dropped to an alarmingly low rate. Now the birds have also to contend with large areas of European agricultural wasteland smothered in pesticide, which in itself is a severe deterrent to successful migration.

Migratory birds, and other animals developed their capacity to follow the seasons and migrate over millions of years, even the dinosaurs did it. Are humans as a species going to continue to put self interest even before these beautiful animals we are supposed to love.

picture by author

The military base is in UK control and this practice can be stopped.