Just days after often virulent reactions against BirdLife Cyprus’ effort to save Ezousa Valley from the proposed Paphos - Polis motorway, the European Commission calls on Cyprus to correct ‘systemic failure’ to protect its Natura 2000 sites.

The contrast could hardly be greater. While the Cyprus Police anti-poaching unit, which used to be one of the best available anti-trapping tools, is shut down, the impressive progress in the British Bases is proof that ‘where there's will there's a way’ when it comes to combating illegal bird trapping.

An unlucky young Griffon Vulture stranded on a rocky beach at Episkopi Bay saw its luck turn around thanks to a BirdLife Cyprus volunteer that happened to be in the area. The bird was found wet, in distress and unable to fly.