This is what some of our international Spring Watch Camp volunteers had to say:
David Pearson
David joined Spring Watch as a sabbatical from his job as Membership Development Officer with the RSPB (BirdLife Partner in the UK) in Northern England. “It sounded such a worthwhile project, in which I could use my all-round natural history skills and contribute something positive to the project. I’ve been to Malta before several times, many years ago, and hunting is now far more intensive than I remember. I didn’t expect the verbal abuse that we’ve received from some hunters – the Maltese are usually so friendly and warm. However, there are many things that local people have said to us that indicate that people feel that there is a need for things to change in the Maltese countryside for the better, and I think it is starting to happen.”
Osmo Heinonen
Osmo and Anita Heinonen come from Finland, where they are members of the Finnish BirdLife organisation. “We came to Malta to see the migrating birds of prey,” says Osmo. “We haven’t seen huge numbers here, but we have seen many species which is always very exciting. The important thing for us – the thing that justifies our presence here – is that many of the birds we see are on their way to Finland. These aren’t Malta’s birds – they are ours too. We are happy if they come via Malta, but only if they are looked after while they are here. And this has been the most perfect way to improve our English, talking about the birds we love with people who share our passion. We’d like to offer out thanks too to BirdLife Malta who conduct themselves and the camp so professionally.”
Laura Thompson
Laura works on environmental issues with Oxford City Council in the UK. “I do voluntary work quite often, but I have never done anything like this before. It has been so rewarding – I really feel like we have been making a difference. The Maltese countryside is really quite beautiful, although if it were not for our Maltese leaders I don’t think it would be an easy place to discover for yourself. My own personal highlight was a local lady we met while we were monitoring the birds who said that it was nice to be able to come into the countryside without feeling at risk of being shot – that people are benefiting as well as the birds is fantastic.”
Ollie Slessor
Since graduating, Ollie has been working in the UK’s network of official bird observatories. “I wanted to come to Malta to see birds that I hadn’t seen before, to meet new people, and to experience a new country, all while doing my small part to help what is clearly an important conservation issue. I want to spend my life doing conservation, but I have never done anything that is so ‘front line’ as this, where just my presence is undoubtedly helping to save birds that should not be being killed.”
Nadja Tschovikov
Nadja is a translator in Malta and has lived here for 15 months. “When I came to Malta, I instantly fell in love with the place and decided to stay - it is such a beautiful, peaceful place. I believe that if you move to a new country, you need to get involved to make that country home, and for me this has been through BirdLife Malta. It started when I heard about the mass vandalism of trees at Foresta 2000 last year, and from that BirdLife asked me if I would help lead the camp. It has been hard, hard work, but each and every person who is taking part has been wonderful and has such interesting stories to tell. By hearing the points of view from people of many nationalities, it is confirmation that what we are doing here in combating illegal hunting is the right thing.”
Geoff Saliba
Geoff is a Maltese national and bank employee. “I have always been interested in wildlife, but it was only after a trip to the Black Forest in Germany where I was so impressed by the variety of birds that I saw that I became totally hooked, and BirdLife Malta seemed a great way to become more involved with countryside issues back home. I agreed to help host the camp, and I thought that in return I would get to see more of Malta’s natural environment and understand it better. It turned out that I got a lot more, and I cannot stress enough how valuable this experience has been for me. To have worked with nature conservation professionals from all over Europe, and heard their perspective and seen their enthusiasm for my country has made me appreciate Malta’s wildlife and environment that much more. What is important is that BirdLife Malta is something for local Maltese people, and not everyone yet realises that. I would like to see more Maltese people understanding and appreciating what a wonderful place this is – all they need to do is reach out and touch it.”
Camilla Burrow
Camilla works as an Ecologist Planner in the UK. “I haven’t been out of the UK for two years, and I wanted something that would not only be a mini-adventure but would be of some value for conservation, and that is what it has proved to be. I’ve got to see some fascinating birds that I’ve never seen before, chill out in some great scenery, and meet some interesting new people. The moments that have stood out for me were seeing Golden Orioles, which are the most stunning bird, and it was great to see the Maltese police in action helping to counter illegal hunting activity – I really admire them.”
Andrew Morgan
Andrew read about Spring Watch in an article in the UK's Independent newspaper. “I've always had an intuitive respect for wildlife. I thought that this was an issue I really should be doing something about. It has been very demanding, but everybody on Spring Watch is very friendly and considerate. I have been shocked by the way that hunting seems to so completely dominate the countryside. We need to stop this wanton destruction, and I respect all those in Malta who have the courage and commitment to defend their countryside and our common natural heritage in Europe and Africa.”
Adrian Thomas
Adrian Thomas, who is volunteering for Birdlife Malta from the RSPB in the UK, said, "I had heard that illegal hunting was bad in Malta, but nothing prepared me for quite how bad. Bird migration is one of nature's wonders, but instead of finding shelter and safe passage here, they meet what I can only describe as a wall of death. I have been quite overwhelmed at the scale of it. What I've seen is not just illegal hunting - it is indiscriminate slaughter. Malta could be a wonderful place to come and see wildlife, but instead it is the worst, unless you want to see the maimed, the dying and the doomed."
Click here to read about the outcome of Spring Watch Camp 2008.