Cyprus-Forum.com

[CBBB]

Anything that is small and avian is acceptable.

[purdey]

Song thrushes, probably.

[denizaksulu]

It's rude to go to someone's house hungry ... even if invited for a meal.

You have to eat at home first, before leaving; then you can refuse offerings politely, until a great protest ensues, and then you sample a bit for the sake of manners .....

That is what I was taught! .... After all, you are going for the social side .. not just to satisfy your hunger

(I am not sure if this is more a Greek thing then a Cypriot thing though ... all very confusing!)

..... But to be on the safe side ... refuse everything you are offered at least three times ....

If I did not know you any better, I could swear that you were a Scot

Personally I am too generous, but offer only once (out of politeness)

[JimB]

Understood Purdey. This cruel and distasteful practice can only be remedied by educating the masses that this is illegal.

There's a reason that the restaurants keep this stuff under the counter and out of sight. They know what they're selling is breaking the local law.

The fact that policemen in uniform are prepared to do this in the open is pitiful. These officers have sworn to uphold the law of the land and willfully choose to flaunt it. They should be prosecuted.

I'll keep an eye out - no one suspects a foreigner with a camera in a restaurant

___________________________________________________________

Illegal bird killing is widespread in the Republic of Cyprus and the British Sovereign Base Areas.

In relation to shooting, there are more than 45,000 licensed hunters in 'south' Cyprus (nearly 6% of the population, the fourth highest in the EU, and 8 hunters/sq km, second only to Malta and four times higher than the other southern European states).

An estimated 3.7 million birds are shot every year, of which around 750,000 are shot illegally by an irresponsible minority.

Small birds, and especially blackcaps, migrating through Cyprus are trapped for sale nationally as the Cypriot food delicacy, ambelopoulia. This trapping peaked around 2000-2001 when at least 10 million birds were trapped each year.

Because the trapping methods are non-selective, 150 species are known to have been caught in the traps. More than a third (58 species) of these are species of conservation concern, including the lesser kestrel, which is vulnerable to global extinction. Two other species that are trapped breed only in Cyprus - the Cyprus warbler and the Cyprus wheatear.

Lime sticks are the traditional trapping method. Most birds are now trapped in autumn using mist nets, often lured by recordings of bird song. Large-scale commercial trapping operates especially between September and October. Most trapping occurs in the Famagusta District in the south-east, including on the British Sovereign Base Areas.
The law

The Republic of Cyprus has fairly robust bird protection laws that ban all non-selective methods of taking birds, killing of all non-game birds and spring shooting. Similar legislation exists in the British Sovereign Base Areas. Before 2002, these laws were very poorly enforced.
Conservation action

The RSPB is working with BirdLife Cyprus to end the illegal killing of birds.

Cyprus is under increased pressure to enforce its bird protection laws as it joined the EU in May 2004 and because of Bern Convention Recommendation No 90 (2001) on the catching, killing or trading of protected birds in Cyprus (you can read the recommendation at the link on the right).

This was adopted by 45 nations in response to a case that the RSPB and BirdLife Cyprus took to the Bern Convention regarding the governments of Cyprus and the UK (the latter in relation to the Sovereign Base Areas).

Since 2001, Cyprus and the UK have been actively enforcing the hunting law with determination. BirdLife is co-operating with the enforcement agencies and a reduction in trapping levels has been achieved. An estimated 20 million birds have been saved in Cyprus since 2002 as a direct result of this conservation action.

To maintain and build on this progress, sustained effort will be required for several years. It is worth noting that despite this great progress, each year an estimated one million birds are still being killed illegally by trappers.

BirdLife Cyprus is monitoring illegal trapping, raising public awareness, publishing educational materials and encouraging the Cyprus Government to comply fully with the Birds Directive and Bern Convention.

In late 2005, the RSPB asked its members to help by writing to the Cyprus government and has a programme of direct funding and support for BirdLife Cyprus.
What you can do

Report any cases of illegal hunting to:
BirdLife Cyprus, PO Box 28076, Lefkosia 2090, Cyprus
Tel: +357 22 455 072
E-mail: [email protected]

Letters of protest should be sent to:
Cyprus High Commission, 93 Park Street, London W1Y 4ET
Or to Cyprus Tourist Organisation, 17 Hanover Street, London, W1S 1YT. Tel 020 7569 8800.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/illegalhunting/cyprus.asp

[CBBB]

I've still got a jar of them at home, can I expect a visit from a SWAT team?

[JimB]

I've still got a jar of them at home, can I expect a visit from a SWAT team?

Run along and draw us a picture, the adults are talking.

[CBBB]

So the adults reckon that starving people shouldn't eat any food they can find?

So how un-hungry do you need to be before consuming pickled birds?

I am sure it would not be a problem for you if I was a cannibal and ate human flesh, it's just those poor innocent little creatures that you worry about!

[JimB]

So the adults reckon that starving people shouldn't eat any food they can find?

So how un-hungry do you need to be before consuming pickled birds?

I am sure it would not be a problem for you if I was a cannibal and ate human flesh, it's just those poor innocent little creatures that you worry about!

No it's the fact that many critically endangered species of bird are being needlessly slaughtered every year by the indiscriminate methods of slaughter being employed to trap your tasty treat.

Personally, I'd like future generations to be able to enjoy the sight of a kestrel soaring on the thermals.

And WTF are you going on about cannibalism for?

Your an idiot.

[CBBB]

Not having eaten any pickled kestrels, I don't see what they have to do with the situation.

Regarding cannibalism I was demonstrating that like many so called intellectuals, you think human life is insignificant compared to animals.

And I am the idiot?

And I am the child who when he is unable to make a reasonable argument resorts to name calling?

[miltiades]

So the adults reckon that starving people shouldn't eat any food they can find?

So how un-hungry do you need to be before consuming pickled birds?

I am sure it would not be a problem for you if I was a cannibal and ate human flesh, it's just those poor innocent little creatures that you worry about!

No it's the fact that many critically endangered species of bird are being needlessly slaughtered every year by the indiscriminate methods of slaughter being employed to trap your tasty treat.

Personally, I'd like future generations to be able to enjoy the sight of a kestrel soaring on the thermals.

And WTF are you going on about cannibalism for?

Your an idiot.

There is no need culinary or otherwise for killing little birds that have virtually no meat on them. It is a very cruel practice and I do hope that one day soon the Cypriots will not tolerate such practice.
I have been here in Limassol since Friday , flying out tomorrow early morning.
I have discovered at Melis ButcherS a delectable meze , the packet described the contents as Lambs Balls !!!
I tell you they are absolutely delicious on the BBQ along with lambs liver , I therefore strongly urge those who still eat little birds to try some archidia !!