Help to eradicate this cruel practice of bird-trapping
There have been a number of letters in Mailbox concerning a decline in garden birds, particularly song birds.
Readers may be interested to learn about the Parany, which is a bird-trapping method practised in Spain in the regions of Valencia and Catalonia. Each year between half a million and one million thrushes and several hundred thousand insectivorous birds, including the European robin and chiffchaff are captured.
The Parany trapping method uses one or a number of trees that stand out in the surrounding terrain. The trees are interlaced with poles to which sticks impregnated with glue or lime are attached.
The migrant song birds are attracted to the trees as ideal night roosts. Their plumage becomes glued together and the birds fall helplessly to the ground. There they are collected by the trapper who kills them – often by crushing the bird's skull between thumb and forefinger.
Although forbidden Parany is defended for its cultural and traditional value with about 2,000 operating illegally. To sign a petition to eliminate this cruel practice visit:
www.stopparany.es
Mrs Elizabeth Allison, Aylestone.
4 Comments
by graydjames
Monday, November 28 2011, 5:00PM
“I've never heard of this before. There is very little on the internet about it. The only references I could find all use almost the identical words to Ms Allison. On the face of it, it seems incredibly cruel and pointless, but I would like to hear from the other side of the argument. Presumably there must be some reason for this e.g. food, pest control or something. I am not seeking to defend it but the honest truth is I don't trust Ms Allison because usually she defends the animal kingdom willy nilly - whatever the circumstances. If it is done for no good reason then I agree it should be stopped.
It is actually illegal already so I presume the problem is poor enforcement. In these circumstances it is difficult to know what a petition can achieve.
May I add a note of defence to Rod52? Cats are a total nuisance as far as I am concerned. I am plagued by them and they seem to regard my garden as the local toilet. They are also a constant menace to birds, but this is an instinctive part of the food chain just as man eating meat is.
One other thing. I have read a few articles about the decline in the wild bird population. Not one of them mentions this Parany as a cause. I am not sure if Ms allison was claiming that or not. Her figures seem extraordinary.”
by AllstarLEI
Monday, November 28 2011, 4:19PM
“@Rod52: Let me help you with some basic math; since cats sleep 16-18 hours a day, it is statistically impossible for them to " spend almost 24/7 roaming, killing and defecating (I corrected your spelling)"
And I should point out, many of them are indoor only.”
by CGLee
Monday, November 28 2011, 12:24PM
“For once in my life I am in agreement with Ms Allison. I have seen programmes on TV and read articles in the press about this practice, which I find repugnant.
Many songbirds are now on the "at risk" register and I have noticed a decline in some of the species that used to visit my garden. If this practice is illegal it should be properly policed by the Spanish authorities.
As regards the comment by Rod52,I will treat it with the contempt that it deserves!”
by Rod52
Monday, November 28 2011, 10:54AM
“Does Elizabeth Allison have any figures as to how many song birds are killed in this country by domestic cats? Cats, supposedly 'household pets,' appear to spend almost 24/7 roaming, killing and defacating, much to the annoyance of gardeners and bird lovers alike!”