Nature as we know it is heading towards extinction. And it’s because of human activity. Logging, intensive agriculture and overfishing have pushed one million animal and plant species to the point where they’re hanging by a thread. The European Commission will propose a new law to make nature restoration legally binding for EU countries. But […]
Some things signal the arrival of spring like nothing else. The blossoming of almond trees and the arrival of Barn Swallows are surely among the most common telltale signs. Although the first Barn Swallows always arrive to our island sometime around February, this year they arrived even earlier than usual. Indeed, spring in general seemed
Early feathered signs of spring Read More »
Η πικρή αλήθκεια ένι ότι έσιει εκατοντάδες χιλιάδες λόγους γιατί εν μπορούμεν να τρώμεν αμπελοπούλλια. Γιατί έτσι πολλούς; Γιατί κάθε φθινόπωρον θανατώνουνται παράνομα στο νησί μας εκατοντάδες χιλιάδες πουλιά λόγω παράνομης παγίδευσης. Τζαι ένεν ούλλα αμπελοπούλλια. Πα’ στα βερκά τζαι τα δίχτυα πιάνουνται τζαι σιελιόνια, κουκουβάγιες, σιαχίνια, αηδόνια τζαι είδη που απειλούνται με εξαφάνιση σε
5 λόγοι γιατί εν πρέπει να τρώμεν αμπελοπούλλια. Τζι ας μεν εν απειλούμενα. Read More »
Our popular children’s bird guide “What’s that bird? A bird guide for young explorers” is now available in English! The English book is based on the second edition of its Greek counterpart, and presents 86 easily identifiable bird species of Cyprus. The bird guide is mainly targeted at children, but it is also a good
New bird guide for children: What’s that bird? A bird guide for young explorers” Read More »
Another annual winter Griffon Vulture census was completed with success last December, with the involvement of the Game and Fauna Service, the Cyprus Conservation Foundation – Terra Cypria, the SBA Environment Department, the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) and our team of dedicated volunteers. On the day, a maximum count of around 20 individuals was recorded,
Griffon Vulture population remains steady according to latest census Read More »
This year’s World Wetlands Day finds Cyprus playing host to almost 17,000 waterbirds as they take refuge from the frozen north at the island’s wetlands.
Almost 17,000 waterbirds wintering at the wetlands of Cyprus Read More »
Can you spot the camera in the photo below? Barely, right? Birds also tend not to notice it. This is why this nifty gadget is helping us record key data on key species, with zero disturbance and without us even being there.
Monitoring birds with camera traps Read More »
An article focused on the need to be sensitive and considerate as a photographer when it comes to your impact on nature. Some hints and tips from our member, volunteer and wildlife photographer Ben Porter.
Ethics in wildlife photography Read More »
In early December, a serious relaxation of bird protection law was voted through by the House of Representatives, undermining a 20-year effort to protect migratory songbirds from being illegally killed in Cyprus. We’ve just launched a petition calling for its annulment: https://change.org/ampelopouliaSOS With this recent law amendment, the on-the-spot fine for the offence of illegal killing (using
Call for the annulment of relaxation of bird protection law Read More »
Kostis’ story began about a year ago, when he/she was still the one and only egg in the nest, and of course, long before we decided to give it the name we did.
The story of a young Griffon Vulture named Kostis Read More »
Birdwatching offers a great opportunity to connect with birds and discover nature around us, even if it’s done in a city. We are inviting everyone to join our mini bird race from any place in Cyprus, on Sunday, 27 December. How it worksOn Sunday, 27 December, choose one place or natural area to see or hear birds-
Join us for a fun Christmas bird race! Read More »
2020 was the year when our societies were shaken to their core. The last 12 months have been incredibly challenging for all and have affected all of us. But if there’s a silver lining to all this, it is that this year made us appreciate what is really important. It showed us a different way
Highlights from 2020 Read More »
The second European Breeding Bird Atlas (EBBA2) has been published today, 3 December 2020. This is probably the largest citizen-science project in Europe, involving some 120,000 volunteer fieldworkers across the continent and covering 96% of the whole territory. EBBA2 provides up-to-date information on the breeding distribution and abundance of all 596 native and non-native bird
Early in November, the police raided a notorious trapping site in Larnaka district, acting on information supplied by BirdLife Cyprus and CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter). During the raid, the police also searched the suspects’ homes and as a result, 5 nets, 5 calling devices and 366 dead birds – all of which protected species
High fines after police raid notorious trapping site Read More »
The Game and Fauna Service (GFS) and BirdLife Cyprus condemn the recent shooting of two iconic birds of prey, found in the Cypriot countryside only days apart. We recognize that no conscientious hunter would stoop so low and bring shame to the hunting community, but unfortunately such isolated incidents do occur, the result of irresponsible
Iconic birds of prey fall victim to reckless shooting Read More »
Ο Πτηνολογικός Σύνδεσμος Κύπρου, το Ενάλια Φύσις Περιβαλλοντικό Κέντρο Ερευνών και ο τουρκοκυπριακός οργανισμός για την Προστασία των Χελωνών SPOT, σε συνεργασία με το Δημοτικό Μουσείο Θάλασσα στην Αγία Νάπα, προσκαλούν το κοινό σε έκθεση φωτογραφίας με θέμα «Ιστορίες Ψαράδων, η σχέση τους με τη θάλασσα και η επίλυση της παρεμπίπτουσας αλιείας στην Κύπρο». Η
Throughout the world, vultures face severe population declines and local extinctions due to the extensive use of poisoned baits. In addition to this deadly threat, a reduction in food availability due to the decline of extensive farming (and livestock grazing in particular) and the introduction of strict carcass disposal legislation further suppresses their survival chances.
Simulating the future of the Griffon Vulture in Cyprus Read More »
Monitoring surveys help us keep track of our birds and the health of our countryside and form the information foundation for our conservation actions. As part of LIFE IP PHYSIS, a 10-year project dedicated to the protection and the proper management of all of our Natura 2000 sites, we have been conducting surveys for two important
The yellow-ringed Common Ringed Plover Read More »
Late last night, EU Agriculture Ministers adopted a ‘backward’ position on the next EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Members of the European Parliament also voted in favour of an ‘anti-environmental’ proposal of the CAP despite outcry from scientists, citizens and the environmental community. At stake is the future of the CAP, a 6 billion/year subsidy instrument
New study shows tape lures increase target species captures on mist nets by eleven-fold, while also increasing bycatch.
Tape lures shown to aggravate bird trapping in Cyprus Read More »
The photographs speak for themselves. Illegal killing of dozens of Bee-eaters near Larnaca Salt Lake. This horrible crime against wildlife was committed near Lake Soros last Saturday. Dozens of Bee-eaters, plus many other protected species, such as Barn Swallows, shot from the sky. The specific area is unfortunately a notorious ‘black spot’ for illegal bird killing.
Lake Soros: a black spot for colourful birds Read More »
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