10,000 Birds

APRIL 26, 2024

I’ve been a regular visitor to the island of Cyprus for over 25 years, making around a dozen trips during this period, every one in search of birds. According to the taxonomists, these weren’t regular Scops Owls ( Otus scops ) but the endemic Cyprus Scops Owl ( Otus cyprius ). Laughing Dove : now a common resident on Cyprus.

Cyprus 213

Cyprus Breeders Falcons Italy 213

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

In Cyprus it also means that the hunters and trappers are active again. BirdLife Cyprus started their Fall monitoring program weeks ago. There are also hunters in Cyprus, which are an entirely different situation. It is indeed legal to hunt certain birds such as Woodpigeon , Chukar , and Turtledoves.

Cyprus 156

Cyprus Killing 2011 Hunters 156

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

So, one might surmise, it’s OK if they get shot by hunters thinking they’re sandhill cranes? What could motivate gunmen (I cannot call them hunters) in two states to deliberately kill North America’s tallest and most critically endangered bird? Do all hunters realize that? It gives one to wonder why this designation was made.

2011 241

2011 Hunting Kentucky Hunters 241