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In the end, it worked out fine, for now at least and even if under circumstances bordering on the bizarre. After months of debating a controversial legal amendment to slash the fine for using illegal calling devises (a favorite “aide” for both hunters and trappers), Parliament first approved a last-ditch amendment to the amendment…and then proceeded to vote down the freshly amended amendment! BirdLife, who had campaigned long and hard to block the (original) amendment, was delighted that the proposal for derisory on-the-spot fines for use of mimicking devices was rejected, but we were as perplexed as everyone else at proceedings during the end-of-session, marathon plenary session of July 8th. BirdLife Cyprus had been against this amendment from the beginning as were the Game Fund and the office of the Attorney General of the Republic and in the end the majority of MPs did the right thing. But 2011 is after all an election year, so BirdLife will remain vigilant.

On 16 June a delegation of BirdLife International was in Cyprus in order to assess BirdLife Cyprus for full BirdLife International Partner status. Currently BirdLife Cyprus is Partner Designate. The assessment went well and the evaluators were impressed with BirdLife Cyprus’ work on the conservation and protection of birds and their habitats in Cyprus. However, the final decision won’t be taken before November 2010 by BirdLife International’s Global Council. Until then we wait!

From left to right: Patricia Stavrou-Council; June Neal-Council; Jane Stylianou-Council; Stavros Christodoulides-Council; Hazell Thompson-Assistant Director Network and Programme BirdLife International; Jose Tavares-RSPB Country Officer;  Angelo Caserta, Regional Director for Europe BirdLife International; and Colin Richardson-Council.

BirdLife Cyprus, Terra Cypria, the Federation of Environmental Organisations, Friends of the Earth Cyprus and Friends of Akamas met with a delegation of the European Commission on 1st July in Cyprus. The meeting took place the day after a ‘Package Meeting’ where the European Commission discussed cases of EU legislation infringements with the Cypriot authorities. The day with the NGOs was an opportunity for NGOs to table issues of bad implementation of legislation as they perceive it. The meeting covered issues like designation of SCIs (under the Habitats Directive), SPAs (Natura 2000 sites for birds), damage to Natura 2000 sites, Strategic Environmental Assessment, waste, pollution, etc. During the break the issue of water management was discussed extensively also. Following the meeting on infringements, there was also a short meeting with Turkish Cypriot NGOs where the Commission informed them primarily about the issues they are concerned about in the occupied north (i.e. issues of habitat damage, pollution, waste, water management). The meeting will likely be repeated every 1-2 years.

On 10th July, at the Annual General Meeting of the Ornithological Society of the Middle East (OSME) BirdLife Cyprus’s Chairman, Melis Charalambides, was elected unanimously Vice-President of OSME.  This is the first time a Cypriot is elected to this position in OSME.  OSME aims to promote the study of the birds of the Middle Eastern, Caucasian and Central Asian Region and their conservation. ‘I am very honoured to be elected to this position and will try to enhance cooperation with BirdLife Cyprus for the benefit of the birds of our Region’, stated Mr Charalambides on learning of his selection.

Learn more about OSME: www.osme.org 

Volunteers wanted for the Autumn Raptor Count in Akrotiri

Daily counts of the raptor passage at Akrotiri will take place from 20 August to 10 November 2010, between 0800-1700. The main observation site will be the roof of the observatory at Akrotiri Environmental and Educational Centre although those who want to use the Bishop’s Pool area should note this on their reports. Recording forms with instructions prepared for the count will be placed at the offices of the Akrotiri Environmental centre. These should be deposited at the centre at the end of the count. For more information please contact Michael Miltiadou, Research Officer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Use your knowledge and be creative! We need your help in finding a name for our new e-newsletter. As you have noticed our e-newsletter is called just e-newsletter, so we need to find it its own name.
The rules are simple: We need a short and catchy name; preferably a name that is the same in English and Greek and it should be original! It can be a bird name or an appropriate word(s).
Your proposals can be sent to us by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by the end of December 2010. We will consider all the proposed names, discuss with Council and the preferred one will be used as the name for the e-newsletter starting from January 2011! The BirdLife Cyprus E-newsletter will remain as a subtitle.