Shooters!

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:35 pm

Funny how the subject of bunnies has brought this too mind!

But would like to know..are they still shooting songbirds (Grrrr!)) and anything else that 'moves' ..in the Algarve countryside

I can never forget..seeing the tiny frozen carcasses lined up in my friend Maria's freezer...and on asking what they were she replied..pardol(sparrow) ..and pintarroxo (robin)..I remember being horrified

I once watched her standing there..singeing off the feathers over a gas flame!
But I believe this is a 'scourge' across France and Iberia..and one of the reasons our songbird numbers are down!
A Portuguese neighbour of ours in Lagoa used to bundle 3 dogs into his boot.....and go off for a days shooting.
I felt sorry..not only for the birds he would shoot and other game..but the poor animals locked in the boot in suffocating heat!
Does it all still go on there

I would walk in the local countryside there...and be terrified ..that they would take a wrong aim

No rude comments please

Gerry Cullen · Post by **Gerry Cullen** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:07 pm

Hi ellie, know what you mean,friend of mine used to do "gillie" for tourist shooters, you know crows pigeons magpie etc, but gave it up over the rows about shooting robins and finches and trying to explain that a bird must be on the wing was just impossible,they,d shoot pheasent on the nest if they could.Don,t worry to much about the dogs they actualy prefer to travel in the darkness of the boot it helps keep them calm ,youll notice even the fancy dog trailers only have a small ventilation grill ,but fair play to you for your concern it shows a bit of nature in ye.

gerry

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:19 pm

Im sure youre right about the dogs Gerry..i dont really know much about the 'hunting/shooting/fishing lark!
Im used to hearing shooting here in the countryside...mostly farmers shooting crows..even that sound un-nerves me!
But cant stand the thought of our songbirds being slaughtered..totally unnecessary.
I know when these countries : Portugal/Spain and France (in war time) had to shoot/eat anything in order to survive..but not now...surely?

digger · Post by **digger** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:28 pm

Ellie
I must confess, I have eaten some little birds in my time; I don’t know but they could have been sparrows and robins! But these birds are a rare delicacy in Portugal now we are all addicted to KFC, Mcdonalds, Pizza Hut and so on. So if your numbers are down I think it may be for a different reason. Please discuss

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 1:12 am

Of course..there are other reasons Digger.....intensive farming methods account for many losses as well.
Im a member of the R.S.P.B.....and so I get regular update on 'bird numbers'..and I was astonished that even the humble sparrows numbers are seriously depleted. Particularly in the London area!
I dont know about the numbers in Portugal.
Another 'cause' ...is said to be the increase in predatory birds that attack smaller songbirds: sparrowhawks...and Ive seen hooded crows attack them too...
I was a member of the 'A Rocha' (christians in conservation group) ..their base is near Mexilhoeira Grande..and they do excellent work in this field.
I hope theyre still operating..I did wonder if they were affected by the fires last summer?.........Boa noite....Ellie

pinkiebluesky · Post by **pinkiebluesky** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 7:56 pm

It is illegal to catch (they are not shot!) the small birds, anyone caught with dead ones will be fined 150euros each bird. The birds are caught in traps which are baited with large ants, the ants only come out before a storm which is why they are such a treat (?). I for one don't eat them because they look like fried babies, large heads and small bodies, but I don't mind anyone who does and will even cook them if asked!! I really can't see why such a fuss is made about a baby animal or bird. Lots of us eat eggs (babies before they are born), lamb, suckling pig, kid, etc what's the difference?

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:18 pm

My argument is not about eating baby anything Pinkie....and Im sorry if I seemed ignorant about the 'shooting/trapping' thing......My concern is the drastic fall in the number of birds ..particularly songbirds!
Only this morning..on BBC radio 5 news ..it was stated how much concern there is over the very low 'sparrow' count in London alone! okay its not a songbird but it should worry everyone.
How would you feel if one morning you woke up to a world without birdsong?
But maybe it doesnt bother you...Im afraid it does bother me

Incidently.....yur description of a 'fried baby(bird)' revolted me....and all those 'baby animals' youve named? No..i dont eat any of them either..Id rather eat grass

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 11:10 pm

have to agee with Ellie on this one.Sounds bloody awful

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 11:57 pm

Ugh!