About 300 birds killed in Alabama's first sandhill crane season in over a century

by The Associated Press

Saturday, February 15th 2020

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — About 300 sandhill cranes were killed during Alabama’s first hunting season for the birds in more than a century, the state conservation agency said.

A news release from the state conservation agency said about 400 people bought permits to hunt the large birds, which some people like to eat.

While not everyone with a permit got a bird, migratory game bird coordinator Seth Maddox said the final numbers will probably be in line with other states that have hunting seasons for sandhill cranes.

The state last allowed sandhill crane hunting in 1916 after hunting nearly wiped out the species. A hunting ban allowed the bird’s populations to recover enough to allow a season.

Continued

Protected bird shot - just three days after start of hunting season

Monday, September 4, 2017, 17:22

Bee eater was treated by vet

Only three days into the autumn hunting season, BirdLife has reported the first known victim – an injured European bee eater (Qerd in-Naħal) which it said was shot at Ħal Għaxaq yesterday.

The bird – a protected species – was found by people out for a walk on Sunday evening, who saw it crawling on the ground unable to fly. After being recovered by BirdLife Malta yesterday, this morning it was taken to the vet’s clinic for a veterinary visit. An X-ray was taken and it confirmed a fracture to bird’s right wing.

After being recovered by BirdLife Malta yesterday, this morning it was taken to the vet’s clinic for a veterinary visit. An X-ray was taken and it confirmed a fracture to bird’s right wing as a result of shotgun injury. The vet recommended the bird for rehabilitation - in the hope that it would be saved.

The bee eater can easily be distinguished thanks to its pointed, downcurved bill, long pointed wings and tail but above all its rich exotic colours and bright plumage.

It is a specialist in catching flying insects and is a common migrant with large flocks seen daily during autumn and spring.

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BirdLife Malta extolls bird migration 'magic' as hunters group welcomes hunting season

Hunters group welcomes opening of the hunting season on Thursday, urging its members to obey all laws and regulations, while BirdLife Malta eagerly awaits ‘the magical time’ that can be enjoyed by everyone during the bird migration season

Paul Cocks

30 August 2016, 11:00am

As the Kaccaturi San Ubertu (KSU) group was wishing all hunters a good hunting season, BirdLife Malta was welcoming the beginning of the migration season, calling it a magical time to be enjoyed by all.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, KSU called for reciprocal respect from hunters and other members of the community and urged its members to respect all hunting laws and to report any illegalities.

It commended the work carried out by the enforcement authorities and pledged its continued cooperation and support.

The hunting season opens on Thursday, 1 September and runs until 31 January, while the season for turtle dove hunting ends on 30 September.

A hunting curfew comes into force between 15 September and 7 October, during which shooting is not allowed after 7pm.

In its statement, BirdLife Malta extolled the spectacle expected during the migration season, which picks up during September, and which will see a number of birds of prey reach our shores after the first thunderstorms of the season.

A number of other birds, such as herons, egrets, bee-eaters and smaller passerines, can already be observed around Malta.

The raptors will migrate from Sicily as the weather starts changing: marsh harriers and honey buzzards tend to fly in their hundreds, looking for a place to spend the night.

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