Thrush Hunting season has begun :(

[Mark]

I did not know that thrushes where hunted in Mallorca until I read about it today

As a keen outdoor/nature/wildlife type of person it's a bit sad.

Read about it here on the Mallorca photo blog

Hunting The Thrush Mallorca Daily Photo Blog

and here from last year on the same site:

Tordos and Thrushes Mallorca Daily Photo Blog

Thrushes are on the decline in the UK I think, we did have some living in our garden in the summer.

The birds that we feed every day are someone elses pest.

Those that migrate to warmer places for food might not come back.....


Mark.

 

[sws97sdg]

Hi Mark
I did not know the season starts today, I do know that people all over the Mediterranean choose to shoot birds of all sizes and species, for what ever reason its a shame I know

 

[Kym]

It's barbaric! How can anyone fund pleasure in stalking and killing birds and animals? What sad and disgusting human beings these people are. Maybe one day they may find their comeupance!!
They should stick to scrabble!!

 

[andrew711]

Mark, thanks for your mention of Klaus's excellent blog.
Hunting is an aspect of rural Majorcan life that gets overlooked. There is an annual hunters' meeting that occurs in different parts of the island. Nowadays though it is licensed and is primarily intended to cull populations of thrushes and other birds - starlings and partridges for example - as well as rabbits and goats. Little is for sport. Goats, yes. The rest, not. Much of it is also done in areas where bird and other wildlife congregates in large numbers, such as Albufera or Son Real near Can Picafort. It does attract opposition from the environmentalists, but its purpose is meant to be control.
I recognise this is an issue than can upset. Not saying it's right or wrong, but hunting is a fact of Majorcan life.

 

[Mark]

There are recipes, here is one translated with google,

Google Translate

original is spanish:
Recetas de Tordos - Consejos y Recetas en dooyoo.es - Accesorios y ofertas similares

more recipes:

tordos receta - Google Search

Each to their own I suppose.

-

 

[sws97sdg]

Yes I have heard thrushes are needed to be controlled all over, their numbers are increasing so much!

 

[Mark]

They are on the decline here in England though.

The RSPB: Song thrush

maybe they should be caught and transported to England and released in a nice forest in Yorkshire.

 

[Mark]

Mark, thanks for your mention of Klaus's excellent blog.

That is an excellent blog that I read most days and if you are the Andrew that does that other blog I read that every day

Hunting is an aspect of rural Majorcan life that gets overlooked. There is an annual hunters' meeting that occurs in different parts of the island. Nowadays though it is licensed and is primarily intended to cull populations of thrushes and other birds - starlings and partridges for example - as well as rabbits and goats. Little is for sport. Goats, yes. The rest, not. Much of it is also done in areas where bird and other wildlife congregates in large numbers, such as Albufera or Son Real near Can Picafort. It does attract opposition from the environmentalists, but its purpose is meant to be control.
I recognise this is an issue than can upset. Not saying it's right or wrong, but hunting is a fact of Majorcan life.

I know, it's a way of life and I accept that really, it is the traditional way.

We are all in Europe though and here in England if anyone was caught shooting thrushes and making a casserole with them they would probably be prosecuted and it would be all over the news.

-

 

[sws97sdg]

Sorry Mark I was trying to be ironic and failing badly, any killing of animals in the name of controlling of numbers is barbaric when it comes to small harmless songbirds even if it is tradition

 

[Kym]

Glad you agree with me sws. I would go even further and say it was sick. These people who kill always find a way of justifying what they do. Anyone who can kill a living creature that is of no threat to them needs to take a good look at themselves!

As for recipes - well what can one say?

 

[med777]

some folks are from a different planet ( and I wish they would go back there ! )

Earth would work, but for the intervention us. Some of it, we can't avoid, but some we create.

We just have to live with those who hunt...not for the table, but for the pleasure. Sickening. But if they just left it alone... it would all even out and a natural harmony would come back to how it is supposed to work. But then there would be no 'hidden' agenda to hide behind.

just my opinion.
Miriam

 

[Kym]

Miriam I have no idea what your opinon is? I really do not understand what you are saying here? Are you suggesting I'm from another planet and need to return? My posts are clear in meaning!
Again on this planet or another I feel it is barbaric to hunt and destroy life for no reason other than we can. What gives man the right to feel so superior that the decision of life or death Is theirs? This planet or another!
Off my 'other planet now' taking my opinions and views with me!!!!

 

[jamierun26]

Does anyone know of any restaurants in PP that serve thrush as I wouldnt mind giving it a go.

 

[phil]

Don't know offhand, suppose you could try sparrows.

 

[med777]

Hiya Kym,

I was agreeing with u ! Sorry if I was so unclear

I was trying to say that left to itself, nature sorts out problems without man's intervention ( which usually backfires one way or another) And that to hide behind excuse of population control just doesn't cut it.
Folks who have no problem with killing animals for sport, IMO, are not of this planet, otherwise why would they want to destroy parts of it!

Hope that is clearer for u... but if not, PM me

Miriam

 

[jamierun26]

Phil
thanks for tip about Sparrows may be worth a fly past next time I am out in PP

 

[Kym]

Hi Miriam thanks for this. I am so pleased you agree with me! Sorry I was on defence just that whenever I post something I seem to be jumped on!
What matters is that we agree and that is good.
As for Jamie wanting to try thrush - I assume you are referring to the feathered variety and I also assume your post is a wind up!

 

[Belladonna]

I have just been onto Marks links, and seen the video and read the link which I have copied out below. As it says, there is always two sides to every story, and when farming is involved, culling is always to be expected.
Being a "townie" it is difficult sometimes to accept the ways of country life, and I try very hard to understand it, or else I have to try to ignore it.
Thrush "culling" goes on in many european countries except Britain. We cull foxes, and hunt deer.
I am not saying I agree with things - or disagree - just that its a way of life and culture and living off the land. I cant see that it will ever change.
It is difficult to agree with the culling - I find it hard even to type killing - of attractive life such as song birds etc. would we find it quite so upsetting if there was a cockroach or rat hunting season I wonder?! Thats a bit tongue in cheek, but you see what I am getting at.


Courtesy of Marks link;

Last Sunday (October 31st) was the first day of this year’s hunting season for Tords (thrushes). In Mallorca, four thrush species are known, Turdus philomelos, Turdus iliacus, Turdus pilaris and Turdus viscivorus. They are all lovely small singing birds and should really be left in peace.

Unless you are a farmer, that is. My Mallorcan friends have explained to me that these feathered friends are ferocious in their pursuit of olives and grapes. They cause quite a bit of an upset, now, that the olive gathering season and the wine harvest are in full swing. To protect the harvest, the thrush has to be kept at bay, or so it was explained to me.

Obviously, there are two sides to the story, as always. Who knows which one is the right one? But I imagine that it is easy from a viewpoint of ignorance to be a bird lover and go all sentimental when in fact there is a price to pay. What do you think?

The hunt for thrushes is on until February 15th, 2011. Hunting by rifle and dog is permitted across the island. Hunting by filat nets is only allowed in the Tramuntana mountain area. Only 20 Tords are legally allowed to be caught per day and per person. And a hunting license has to be obtained for Caça Menor.

 

[eleanor]

Now a cockroach and rat hunting season sounds a great idea Bella. I can think of many a rat I would like hunted down! lol

 

[kate1]

I am definitely not going to join this particular debate - much too dangerous territory - but I wondered if any PP residents who know anything about hunting in Mallorca could enlighten me... Every weekend when we are staying at our villa, no matter what the time of year, we hear shooting in the morning (we are in the countryside between Pollensa and PP). I have often wondered what they are after - rabbits, or something more exotic? It doesn't seem to be a seasonal thing. I have never caught even a glimpse of those doing the shooting but assume they may be farmers rather than sportsmen - the shooting doesn't go on for very long.

I am not going to embark upon a one-person protest - I'm just curious, really.