The Ministry for Gozo has announced the opening of the ”research” period for seven species of songbirds and the trapping season for Song Thrushes.

Song Thrush trapping season from the 20th of October, to the 31st of December, both dates inclusive, and for Golden Plover from the 1st of November, to the 10th of January, both dates inclusive.

The Ministry said that following consideration of the recommendation by the ORNIS Committee, the research period for the seven species of songbirds will open, running from the 20th of October to the 20th of December, both dates inclusive.

The Ministry said that anyone participating in the songbird research project, under the authority of a special licence issued in their name, shall be:

Required to release any songbird caught back into the wild immediately after checking whether it bears a scientific ring, and to report it at that very moment (specifying the species and quantity) by calling the toll-free number 8000 2020 from a mobile number registered in their name, or by using the ‘Game Reporting MT’ mobile app. The systems will confirm the report by sending an SMS back as confirmation;

If a person captures a songbird bearing a scientific ring, they are obliged to record all details on the ringing form issued in their name-which is provided along with the special licence;

Any captured bird bearing a scientific ring must also be reported on the very same day, in accordance with the instructions set out in the special licence;

It is recommended that a short video be recorded showing the songbirds being released at the same location where they were captured, as specified in the special licence;

Whenever a participant takes part in the research project but does not capture any songbirds, they are required to report their ‘research effort’ before leaving the site. This is done either by making a free call to 8000 2020 from a mobile number registered in their name, or by using the ‘Game Reporting MT’ mobile app, as detailed in the special licence.

Anyone in possession of a special licence for songbird research is legally obliged to comply with all regulations pertaining to this derogation.

For the trapping season for Song Thrushes and Golden Plovers, there is a national quota of 5,000 Song Thrushes and 700 Golden Plovers set by the Government.

Licensed trappers will be required to:

• Immediately report any sandpipers and plovers they catch by calling, free of charge, on 8000 2020 from a mobile number registered in their name, or by using the ‘Game Reporting MT’ mobile app. The systems confirm the report by sending back an SMS as confirmation;

• If they catch a any of the two species with a scientific ring, they are obliged to write all the details on the ringing form, issued in the name of the person with the license, which is included with the special license;

• Report the trapping effort whenever they go out trapping and do not catch anything, before leaving, calling, free of charge, on 8000 2020 from a mobile number registered in their name, or using the ‘Game Reporting MT’ mobile app, as explained in the special license.

The 8000 2020 telephone system provides guidance through easy-to-follow voice messages, and both systems confirm the report by sending back an SMS as confirmation.

The Government stated that, “anyone in possession of a special licence for the trapping of Song Thrush and Golden Plover is legally obliged to observe all regulations relating to this derogation.”

File photo: BLM

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