Seen tonight on hemlington lake. Presume it's an escapee from a local collection.
- Welcome to Teesmouth Bird Club.
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#2
Classifieds / Re: Opticron Scope and others
April 07, 2015, 03:26:38 PM
Hi MEL. is the MM2 straight or angled please? 
#3
General Discussion / Re: Malta Bird Massacre
June 11, 2014, 11:58:59 AM
Thanks, would also note that was almost a month and a half between the first reply (fiona hall) and last (stephen hughes) and Fiona Hall only took 2 days to reply to my Email. was honestly impressed with how quick i got a reply! 
our new MEPs for the North East are
1. Jude Kirton-Darling (Lab)
2. Jonathan Arnott (UKIP)
3. Paul Brannen (Lab)
our new MEPs for the North East are
1. Jude Kirton-Darling (Lab)
2. Jonathan Arnott (UKIP)
3. Paul Brannen (Lab)
#4
General Discussion / Re: Malta Bird Massacre
June 11, 2014, 11:32:08 AM
i had replies from the 3 previous MEP reps for the north east:
Fiona Hall:
Thank you for your email regarding the hunting and trapping of migrating birds in Malta.
As you mention in your email, the EU's Birds Directive 2009 bans activities which directly threaten wild bird species, including the deliberate killing or capture of birds. In 2008 the European Court of Justice ordered the Maltese Government to limit spring hunting and ruled that bird trapping should be banned too.
My Italian colleague, Andrea Zanoni MEP, who is also a member of the Alliance for Liberals and Democrats in Europe (ALDE) raised this issue with the European Commission, and was informed that certain hunting of certain species is allowed as long as it complies with the principle of wise use and the strict provisions of Article 7 of the Directive. Additionally, Article 9 states that a limited number of activities normally prohibited by the Birds Directive may be allowed under strict provisions, but there have been reports that the Maltese Government have been disproportionately infringing on this allowance. You can view Mr. Zanoni's Parliamentary Question here.
It is worrying that birds continue to be cruelly trapped and killed on Malta despite the activity supposedly being restricted. I am a member of the RSPB and I take the protection of wild birds very seriously, whether the problem is in the UK or elsewhere in the world. I have previously written to both Cypriot and British authorities regarding illegal bird poaching in Cyprus, and have also written recently to the Maltese Department for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change.
The Ministry states that Malta is fully committed to the implementation of the Birds Directive 2009/147/EC. With specific regard to Article 9 which states that a limited number of activities normally prohibited by the Birds Directive may be allowed under strict provisions, the Ministry says that any derogations applied by Malta 'adhere strictly to the relevant legal and environmental parameters.'
My office has also raised the issue of birds in Malta with the RSPB's South East Europe Department, who said that they have been in partnership with Birdlife Malta, for many years. They have a much less positive view of Malta's adherence to the requirements of the EU Bird Directive. BirdLife Malta is seeking to focus its efforts on the recovery of species and on ensuring the safe passage of migrating birds through the islands. Strategically, BirdLife Malta also intends to deliver more focussed work on changing attitudes on Malta towards nature and birds. The RSPB also acknowledges that work is still required to put pressure on the Maltese Government to help conserve migrants and breeding birds, and ensure that the EU rules regarding birds are fully implemented.
I have requested that my name be added to BirdLife's most recent letter to the Janez Potocnik, the European Commissioner for the Environment, following a meeting he had with MEPs and representatives of BirdLife. This letter outlines BirdLife Malta's difficulty in challenging the lack of implementation in Malta of the EU Directive on Birds, the lack of pressure on Malta during the spring hunting season, and the application for a derogation for finch trapping. I look forward to reading the Commissioner's response on these issues and will let you know of any further developments.
Thank you again for raising this issue with me and please be assured that the illegal trapping of birds in Malta is of great concern to me.
Yours sincerely,
Fiona Hall MEP
------------------------------
Stephen Hughes
Thank you for contacting me about the issue of bird hunting in Malta. I share your concerns about this practice and have worked on the issue in the European Parliament over a number of years.
In April last year at my group's behest, the Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party wrote to the European Commission on this issue, and you can see the question and answer here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fTEXT%2bWQ%2bE-2013-004468%2b0%2bDOC%2bXML%2bV0%2f%2fEN&language=EN
Several weeks ago, I wrote to the European Commissioner for the Environment who is responsible for this issue. The Commission has regular contact with the Maltese authorities to improve their enforcement regime, but the letter made it clear that more must be done. This concern is rightly reflected in your email. We have cooperated in particular with BirdLife Malta on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen S Hughes MEP
------------------
Martin Callanan
Thank you for your email concerning the illegal hunting of birds in Malta. This is an issue which my Conservative colleagues and I have been aware of for quite some time. My colleague Julie Girling MEP is leading on this matter for the British Conservatives, and I have spoken with her regarding the issues which you and many other constituents have raised. Julie has been in contact with the Maltese Ministry, and the Commissioner for the Environment, Commissioner Potocnik to raise these concerns.
Julie recently spoke to the Commissioner alongside Birdlife and like-minded MEPs about this issue. The Commissioner reassured her that the Commission has a close and continued dialogue with Malta. As a result Malta has agreed to monitor the autumn hunt closely. They are doing so in an effort to address the situation regarding the use of permits under the derogation, in other words the number of birds shot.
Following on from this meeting the Commissioner has agreed to ask Malta for details of their independent monitoring and have asked permission for officials to be present during such time.
Please find below a number of parliamentary questions and responses, addressed to Commissioner Potocnik, which have been submitted in recent months. Please also find attached a copy of the Maltese Ministry's written response to Mrs Girling's inquiry on this matter.
Question - 14.2.14:
On 4/6/2013 Commissioner Potocnik gave an answer to Mr. Zanoni's question E-004289-13 on "Spring quail and turtle dove hunting in Malta and new and repeated infringements of Directive 147/2009/EC (Birds Directive)". This answer stated the Commission would carefully analyse the detailed derogation report submitted by the Maltese Government, alongside any other reports submitted by relevant stakeholders, to see whether the derogation was applied in line with the strict conditions of the EU's Birds Directive.
Has this analysis already been completed by the Commission? If so, what was the Commission's interpretation? Has any further enforcement action resulted from this analysis?
Answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission (31.3.2014)
The Commission has completed its assessment of the various reports received from the Maltese government and interested stakeholders, including local hunting associations and bird conservation organisations. The results of this assessment showed conflicting views and explanations as regards the outcome of the 2013 spring hunting derogation in Malta and particularly the enforcement measures undertaken. Therefore the Commission sought further information and clarification on the matter from the Maltese authorities during an annual bilateral environmental package meeting held in November 2013.
The Commission is working with Malta to find solutions to existing shortcomings and gaps in the country's application of spring hunting derogations and to identify ways to further improve the spring hunting derogation regime and strengthen enforcement. This process is not yet concluded.
Question - 16.4.13 - Andrea Zanoni (ALDE)
The association BirdLife Malta recently reported(1) that the Maltese authorities have approved regulations,(2) by way of derogation from Article 9 of the Birds Directive,(3) permitting the hunting of a total of 5 000 common quail (Coturnix coturnix) and 11 000 turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur) across the island between 10 April 2013 and 30 April 2013. The derogation has been granted to all 9 487 licensed hunters; the bag limit for each hunter is two birds a day and four throughout the spring season. This will therefore equate to an average of 0.5 quail and 1.1 turtle doves for every Maltese hunter during the spring hunting season. In both cases, each hunter will easily be able to reach the bag limit as soon as hunting begins, in the early hours of 10 April.
Clearly, the regulation does not meet the conditions laid down in Article 9(1) and (2) of the directive and, in particular, the strict controls requested will not be carried out, because the Maltese regulation provides for only 7 agents per 1 000 hunters. Furthermore, the ALE unit(4) responsible for performing the hunting controls has only 18 units, which are supplemented by a few local police units during the hunting season. This figure therefore falls short of the 66 units in total stipulated by the regulation. Consequently, the total bag limits laid down are inaccurate since they will not be guaranteed by any strict controls. It is logical to assume that the actual bag limit will exceed that stipulated by various orders of magnitude.
Can the Commission urgently intervene so that extraordinary action is taken in response to the new infringement, through the launch of a special suspension procedure, via the Court of Justice of the European Union, pursuant to Articles 83 and 84 of the Court's Rules of Procedure?
Can the Commission launch, under Article 260 TFEU and in accordance with the criteria in Commission communication (SEC(2005)1658), the procedure by which the Court of Justice of the European Union may rule that the Republic of Malta has failed to take the measures required in order to comply with the Court's judgment, so that the Court sets the amount of a lump sum or penalty payment that is appropriate in the circumstances?
(1) BirdLife Malta press releases from 9 April 2013, 13 April 2013 and 15 April 2013:http://www.birdlifemalta.org/media/press/hunting/.
(2) L.N. 122 and 123 of 2013 published in the supplement to Malta Government Gazette No 19.062 of 28 March 2013.
(3) Directive 147/2009/EC.
(4) Administrative Law Enforcement.
Answer - 4.6.2013:
The Court's judgment(1) held that Malta had disproportionately permitted spring hunting between 2004 and 2007. However the judgment left open the possibility of a limited spring hunting derogation of Turtle Dove and Quail under strictly supervised conditions in view of the specific circumstances prevalent in Malta. The measures related to a limited spring hunting season are provided for in the relevant national regulations(2) which appear to take properly into consideration the principle of proportionality invoked by the Court.
With regard to the opening of a spring hunting season this year, Malta informed the Commission that following the assessment of the information made available by the Malta Ornis Committee and the autumn bag data for the previous autumn hunting season, it was considered that the conditions for applying a Spring hunting derogation from 10 April to 30 April 2013 were met.
The Commission will carefully analyse the detailed derogation report to be submitted by the Maltese Government, together with any other reports that may be submitted by the relevant stakeholders, with a view to see whether the derogation has been applied in line with the strict conditions of the EU's Birds Directive(3). If this is not the case, the Commission may have to continue the enforcement action.
(1) C-76/08 Commission v Malta.
(2) Legal Notice 221 of 2010, as amended by Legal Notices 83 and 113 of 2011, and 122 of 2013.
(3) OJ L 20, 26.1.2010.
I hope you find this information helpful. Please rest assured that after May's elections my Conservative colleagues and I shall continue to make sure that this matter is kept on the agenda, and will keep applying pressure to the Maltese Authorities and the European Commission.
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Should you have any further issues which you would like to raise, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Callanan
Fiona Hall:
Thank you for your email regarding the hunting and trapping of migrating birds in Malta.
As you mention in your email, the EU's Birds Directive 2009 bans activities which directly threaten wild bird species, including the deliberate killing or capture of birds. In 2008 the European Court of Justice ordered the Maltese Government to limit spring hunting and ruled that bird trapping should be banned too.
My Italian colleague, Andrea Zanoni MEP, who is also a member of the Alliance for Liberals and Democrats in Europe (ALDE) raised this issue with the European Commission, and was informed that certain hunting of certain species is allowed as long as it complies with the principle of wise use and the strict provisions of Article 7 of the Directive. Additionally, Article 9 states that a limited number of activities normally prohibited by the Birds Directive may be allowed under strict provisions, but there have been reports that the Maltese Government have been disproportionately infringing on this allowance. You can view Mr. Zanoni's Parliamentary Question here.
It is worrying that birds continue to be cruelly trapped and killed on Malta despite the activity supposedly being restricted. I am a member of the RSPB and I take the protection of wild birds very seriously, whether the problem is in the UK or elsewhere in the world. I have previously written to both Cypriot and British authorities regarding illegal bird poaching in Cyprus, and have also written recently to the Maltese Department for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change.
The Ministry states that Malta is fully committed to the implementation of the Birds Directive 2009/147/EC. With specific regard to Article 9 which states that a limited number of activities normally prohibited by the Birds Directive may be allowed under strict provisions, the Ministry says that any derogations applied by Malta 'adhere strictly to the relevant legal and environmental parameters.'
My office has also raised the issue of birds in Malta with the RSPB's South East Europe Department, who said that they have been in partnership with Birdlife Malta, for many years. They have a much less positive view of Malta's adherence to the requirements of the EU Bird Directive. BirdLife Malta is seeking to focus its efforts on the recovery of species and on ensuring the safe passage of migrating birds through the islands. Strategically, BirdLife Malta also intends to deliver more focussed work on changing attitudes on Malta towards nature and birds. The RSPB also acknowledges that work is still required to put pressure on the Maltese Government to help conserve migrants and breeding birds, and ensure that the EU rules regarding birds are fully implemented.
I have requested that my name be added to BirdLife's most recent letter to the Janez Potocnik, the European Commissioner for the Environment, following a meeting he had with MEPs and representatives of BirdLife. This letter outlines BirdLife Malta's difficulty in challenging the lack of implementation in Malta of the EU Directive on Birds, the lack of pressure on Malta during the spring hunting season, and the application for a derogation for finch trapping. I look forward to reading the Commissioner's response on these issues and will let you know of any further developments.
Thank you again for raising this issue with me and please be assured that the illegal trapping of birds in Malta is of great concern to me.
Yours sincerely,
Fiona Hall MEP
------------------------------
Stephen Hughes
Thank you for contacting me about the issue of bird hunting in Malta. I share your concerns about this practice and have worked on the issue in the European Parliament over a number of years.
In April last year at my group's behest, the Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party wrote to the European Commission on this issue, and you can see the question and answer here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fTEXT%2bWQ%2bE-2013-004468%2b0%2bDOC%2bXML%2bV0%2f%2fEN&language=EN
Several weeks ago, I wrote to the European Commissioner for the Environment who is responsible for this issue. The Commission has regular contact with the Maltese authorities to improve their enforcement regime, but the letter made it clear that more must be done. This concern is rightly reflected in your email. We have cooperated in particular with BirdLife Malta on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen S Hughes MEP
------------------
Martin Callanan
Thank you for your email concerning the illegal hunting of birds in Malta. This is an issue which my Conservative colleagues and I have been aware of for quite some time. My colleague Julie Girling MEP is leading on this matter for the British Conservatives, and I have spoken with her regarding the issues which you and many other constituents have raised. Julie has been in contact with the Maltese Ministry, and the Commissioner for the Environment, Commissioner Potocnik to raise these concerns.
Julie recently spoke to the Commissioner alongside Birdlife and like-minded MEPs about this issue. The Commissioner reassured her that the Commission has a close and continued dialogue with Malta. As a result Malta has agreed to monitor the autumn hunt closely. They are doing so in an effort to address the situation regarding the use of permits under the derogation, in other words the number of birds shot.
Following on from this meeting the Commissioner has agreed to ask Malta for details of their independent monitoring and have asked permission for officials to be present during such time.
Please find below a number of parliamentary questions and responses, addressed to Commissioner Potocnik, which have been submitted in recent months. Please also find attached a copy of the Maltese Ministry's written response to Mrs Girling's inquiry on this matter.
Question - 14.2.14:
On 4/6/2013 Commissioner Potocnik gave an answer to Mr. Zanoni's question E-004289-13 on "Spring quail and turtle dove hunting in Malta and new and repeated infringements of Directive 147/2009/EC (Birds Directive)". This answer stated the Commission would carefully analyse the detailed derogation report submitted by the Maltese Government, alongside any other reports submitted by relevant stakeholders, to see whether the derogation was applied in line with the strict conditions of the EU's Birds Directive.
Has this analysis already been completed by the Commission? If so, what was the Commission's interpretation? Has any further enforcement action resulted from this analysis?
Answer given by Mr Potočnik on behalf of the Commission (31.3.2014)
The Commission has completed its assessment of the various reports received from the Maltese government and interested stakeholders, including local hunting associations and bird conservation organisations. The results of this assessment showed conflicting views and explanations as regards the outcome of the 2013 spring hunting derogation in Malta and particularly the enforcement measures undertaken. Therefore the Commission sought further information and clarification on the matter from the Maltese authorities during an annual bilateral environmental package meeting held in November 2013.
The Commission is working with Malta to find solutions to existing shortcomings and gaps in the country's application of spring hunting derogations and to identify ways to further improve the spring hunting derogation regime and strengthen enforcement. This process is not yet concluded.
Question - 16.4.13 - Andrea Zanoni (ALDE)
The association BirdLife Malta recently reported(1) that the Maltese authorities have approved regulations,(2) by way of derogation from Article 9 of the Birds Directive,(3) permitting the hunting of a total of 5 000 common quail (Coturnix coturnix) and 11 000 turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur) across the island between 10 April 2013 and 30 April 2013. The derogation has been granted to all 9 487 licensed hunters; the bag limit for each hunter is two birds a day and four throughout the spring season. This will therefore equate to an average of 0.5 quail and 1.1 turtle doves for every Maltese hunter during the spring hunting season. In both cases, each hunter will easily be able to reach the bag limit as soon as hunting begins, in the early hours of 10 April.
Clearly, the regulation does not meet the conditions laid down in Article 9(1) and (2) of the directive and, in particular, the strict controls requested will not be carried out, because the Maltese regulation provides for only 7 agents per 1 000 hunters. Furthermore, the ALE unit(4) responsible for performing the hunting controls has only 18 units, which are supplemented by a few local police units during the hunting season. This figure therefore falls short of the 66 units in total stipulated by the regulation. Consequently, the total bag limits laid down are inaccurate since they will not be guaranteed by any strict controls. It is logical to assume that the actual bag limit will exceed that stipulated by various orders of magnitude.
Can the Commission urgently intervene so that extraordinary action is taken in response to the new infringement, through the launch of a special suspension procedure, via the Court of Justice of the European Union, pursuant to Articles 83 and 84 of the Court's Rules of Procedure?
Can the Commission launch, under Article 260 TFEU and in accordance with the criteria in Commission communication (SEC(2005)1658), the procedure by which the Court of Justice of the European Union may rule that the Republic of Malta has failed to take the measures required in order to comply with the Court's judgment, so that the Court sets the amount of a lump sum or penalty payment that is appropriate in the circumstances?
(1) BirdLife Malta press releases from 9 April 2013, 13 April 2013 and 15 April 2013:http://www.birdlifemalta.org/media/press/hunting/.
(2) L.N. 122 and 123 of 2013 published in the supplement to Malta Government Gazette No 19.062 of 28 March 2013.
(3) Directive 147/2009/EC.
(4) Administrative Law Enforcement.
Answer - 4.6.2013:
The Court's judgment(1) held that Malta had disproportionately permitted spring hunting between 2004 and 2007. However the judgment left open the possibility of a limited spring hunting derogation of Turtle Dove and Quail under strictly supervised conditions in view of the specific circumstances prevalent in Malta. The measures related to a limited spring hunting season are provided for in the relevant national regulations(2) which appear to take properly into consideration the principle of proportionality invoked by the Court.
With regard to the opening of a spring hunting season this year, Malta informed the Commission that following the assessment of the information made available by the Malta Ornis Committee and the autumn bag data for the previous autumn hunting season, it was considered that the conditions for applying a Spring hunting derogation from 10 April to 30 April 2013 were met.
The Commission will carefully analyse the detailed derogation report to be submitted by the Maltese Government, together with any other reports that may be submitted by the relevant stakeholders, with a view to see whether the derogation has been applied in line with the strict conditions of the EU's Birds Directive(3). If this is not the case, the Commission may have to continue the enforcement action.
(1) C-76/08 Commission v Malta.
(2) Legal Notice 221 of 2010, as amended by Legal Notices 83 and 113 of 2011, and 122 of 2013.
(3) OJ L 20, 26.1.2010.
I hope you find this information helpful. Please rest assured that after May's elections my Conservative colleagues and I shall continue to make sure that this matter is kept on the agenda, and will keep applying pressure to the Maltese Authorities and the European Commission.
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Should you have any further issues which you would like to raise, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Callanan
#5
General Discussion / Re: the need to be vigilant
June 20, 2013, 08:23:46 AM
also worth pointing out that theses people can be dangerous (from a wildlife crime briefing from a previous job i have heard what egg collectors have been reported to do to wardens on protected sites) so would say not to approach these people, but try to get photos of faces if possible
#6
General Discussion / the need to be vigilant
June 20, 2013, 08:18:47 AM
totally disgusted to read this! we all need to be vigilant to people around nest sites, and if in doubt report it to the police/wildlife crimes officer/rspb
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-22978582
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-22978582
#7
Identification Tips and Questions / Re: Newt or Lizard? - RSPB Saltholme
May 21, 2013, 08:35:44 AM
YEP DEFFINATE SMOOTH NEWT IAN. 
#8
General Discussion / Re: Accessing the TBC sightings board
March 11, 2012, 10:53:36 AM
Appears so james! Must just be my BB! Was saying I was blocked, but has rectified itself now! :s
#9
General Discussion / Re: Accessing the TBC sightings board
March 09, 2012, 08:50:16 PM
I would add that it is access via mobile I am having issues with!
#10
General Discussion / Accessing the TBC sightings board
March 09, 2012, 08:05:30 PM
Hi, is anyone else having issues accessing the sightings page?
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