BIRDS OF CYPRUS, by Jane Stylianou (BirdLife Cyprus), published by the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, 131 pages, €20.

This book presents a wealth of information on 60 bird species that can be found in Cyprus. A page is devoted to each species, with colourful photographs and easy to understand texts.

Sunday 18th April
A team competition to find the most bird species in 24 hours.
Contact June Neal at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details and to register.
See below for full details.

SHOCKING NEWS FROM THE TRAPPING FRONT

BirdLife Cyprus Press Release                                          December 2009

AUTUMN 2009 was a disastrous season for bird trapping, with mist net use up by 35% compared to the autumn of 2008, limestick use also on the rise and restaurants widely flouting the law by serving ambelopoulia “delicacies”. On the eve of 2010, the international year of biodiversity, the latest findings from BirdLife’s ongoing field monitoring show that Cyprus is now seriously loosing ground in the battle against bird trapping, an illegal and indiscriminate practice that threatens many bird species of conservation concern, and migrants especially.

Akamas must be designated and many other NATURA sites extended, says Commission
CYPRUS is now one legal step away from being dragged before European Court for failing to designate sufficient NATURA 2000 sites for birds, as required under the EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC).
Late last week, the Commission announced it was sending a reasoned opinion (final warning) to Nicosia because three sites (including Akamas) had not been designated as Special Protection Areas (SPAs, or NATURA 2000 sites for birds), while six other designated SPAs were not big enough. Nicosia has two months in which to scientifically justify it’s position – otherwise court action will ensue.

This picture was taken on the Pyla Range, on the morning of Wednesday 16th September 09.

Shocking footage from the Committee against Bird Slaughter (CABS) shows true horror of persistent trapping problem.