22 March 1986: A group of conservationists visits Akamas Peninsula, one of the few remaining natural areas of Cyprus left untouched by uncontrolled and widespread touristic development. During this visit, the group, later christened “Friends of Akamas”, call on the State to designate Akamas Peninsula as protected. 33 years later, the same group, together with […]
A 33 year fight for Akamas Read More »
BirdLife Cyprus’ latest report on autumn trapping shows a positive and continuing decrease in bird trapping levels in Cyprus. While this progress is most welcome, there is a worrisome discrepancy: trapping decreasing in the SBAs vs trapping increasing in the Republic. Thanks to its systematic monitoring programme, BirdLife Cyprus has been keeping a close eye
Cyprus bird trapping hits record low Read More »
375,386 people have called on the European Commission to defend Europe’s strong water law, making the EU’s public consultation on the legislation one of the largest ever in the history of the European Union. This law is critical to ensure that Europe’s rivers, lakes and wetlands are protected and brought back to good health. The
375,000+ citizens tell the European Commission “Hands off our water law!” Read More »
The breeding season is upon us, but for some birds, finding a suitable and safe nesting site can prove to be a challenge. To ensure safe nesting sites, BirdLife Cyprus placed 30 nest boxes for Common Swifts at five Cyta buildings in Nicosia, Larnaka and Limassol. The nests are specially designed to attract Common Swifts
BirdLife Cyprus and Cyta team up to give Common Swifts a home Read More »
Although not an excuse for missing school, this is the reality for schools of marine mammals (e.g. dolphins), turtles and seabirds when they are tangled or even drowned in abandoned, lost, discarded or active fishing gear. For seabirds in particular, the effects of fishing can be manifold: Overexploitation by fisheries can decrease the availability of
Between the heaps of pessimistic and grim news about nature and the environment that flood our screens every day, good news, as obvious as they should be, are of particular importance. Not only because of their literal nature as positive, but also because they give us the strength to continue the struggle and the right
Cape Greco remains safe from golf development Read More »
This spring, BirdLife is telling the spectacular migratory stories of seven iconic birds – exposing the illegal threats they face along the African-Eurasian flyway. Are you ready to embark on nature’s most incredible journey? Join us as we follow our magnificent seven on their epic ‘Flight for Survival’. From the smallest songbirds to the most
Flight for Survival – Spring Migration 2019 Read More »
BirdLife Europe and Central Asia’s Senior Head of Policy, Ariel Brunner, shares his thoughts on the upcoming EU elections. I come from a family scarred by the horrors of the 20th century and from a part of the world that is still overrun by ethnic and religious hatred and widespread violence. The EU, for all its
Make your own nestbox for garden birds such as great tits and house sparrows.
Make your own nestbox Read More »
Now is that great time in the year when Cyprus is still hosting some striking winter visitor birds, while also welcoming the first of the spring migrants, forerunners of the wonderful bonanza to come. This year, with the bounty of welcome winter rains, wetlands are full and the countryside is green and lush. What more
Images of the changing bird season Read More »
Have you been out birdwatching in Cyprus during 2018? Make your birdwatching count and ensure that your sightings are included in the country database by sending all your sightings to the Recorder. You can send your sightings either via the Global portal of the BTO BirdTrack database or on the excel form which you can download from here.
Have you been out birdwatching in Cyprus during 2018? Read More »
Join us for a family-friendly, activity-packed event to celebrate World Wetlands Day 2019 at Nicosia’s largest wetland, within Athalassa National Forest Park. Every year on 2 February, we celebrate World Wetlands Day (WWD), a day to raise global awareness about the important role of wetlands for people and the planet. This year, the focus of
Celebrating World Wetlands Day at Nicosia’s largest wetland Read More »
Now in winter many would be relieved thinking that our migratory birds have safely made it to their wintering grounds and are spending their days resting and gathering strength for the coming spring. Around 120 bird species come to our island as ‘winter visitors’ to take advantage of the mild Mediterranean winter. Many are well-known
Song Thrushes become the target of trappers in winter Read More »
The Natura 2000 beach “Polis-Gialia” is considered the most important nesting beach for the sea turtle Caretta caretta in the Republic of Cyprus. This sea turtle species is protected by national and European legislation and is under global pressure from residential and tourism development, sea pollution from rubbish, especially plastics, overfishing and by-catch, recreation activities at sea
As we are heading towards 2020, we are approaching the deadline to achieve Europe’s mandatory energy targets for Cyprus. That is, the share of energy from renewable sources to reach 13% of the gross final energy consumption. By June 2018, Cyprus has achieved 72% of that target. According to the most recent National Action Plan
On the 2020 Renewables race – what will be the price for nature and agriculture? Read More »
Akamas is a word which, unfortunately, has been synonymous with dispute in public discourse, for at least the last decade. The impression is often given that Akamas is an issue that remains seemingly inactive, but which every couple of months returns and sweeps the Press and Media, communicating many different messages, before it is put back to rest until the next outburst.
Latest updates about Akamas: The 5 questions you are too hesitant to ask Read More »
Barn Owls, they are mostly seen at dusk and the reason is simple. This is when mice, rats and shrews, their main prey, are active. For decades, farmers from countries around the world have been taking advantage of the Barn Owl’s specialized diet and having been using them as a biological control of rodents in
Barn Owls as a biological control for rodents in agriculture Read More »
Targeted conservation action continues to yield positive results, with two of the world’s rarest and most threatened bird species, Northern Bald Ibis and Pink Pigeon, the latest to recover from the brink of extinction thanks to direct intervention. The Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita was once a widespread bird that was idolised across North Africa, the Middle
Cape Greco is an area of stunning natural richness and beauty. Introducing its wonders to children and adults became the focal point of a collaboration between BirdLife Cyprus and Melissa Hekkers, the creator behind the popular mandala colouring book series. The result… A third mandala book in the series, ‘My Cape Greco Mandala’ Colouring Book.
‘My Cape Greco Mandala’ book launch: Rediscovering Cape Greco through colouring in Read More »
Game and Fauna Service Audit reveals spending on captive breeding of game birds far outstrips spending on habitat management. A recent report by the Auditor General, looking into the Game and Fauna Service revealed that, in 2015, the Game and Fauna Service spent 5 times more money on captive breeding of Chukar Partridges to be
Little money for habitats from the Game and Fauna Service Read More »
BirdLife Partners from Europe gathered in a two day meeting in Athens, organized by BirdLife International and the Hellenic Ornithological Society, to discuss the amendment of the European Marine Strategy (EMS). This was the first time BirdLife Cyprus was represented at Marine Task Force meetings, where our contribution and work delivery was congratulated. It was
BirdLife Marine Task Force discusses European Marine Strategy Read More »
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