This poem is about the illegal killing of wild birds, mainly in the Mediterranean. In 2015, the number was 25 million.
Wings on the wire
Wings on the wire
In tangles, caught
By the very things
Meant to set us free.
We flutter like flies
Stuck on a silk web
Or coloured washing
Flapping in the wind.
Our migration ends
Here, trapped by man
To become sustenance
When we die.
Copyright Vickie Johnstone, May 20, 2020
On 15 May 2020, the RSPB said it was overrun with reports of birds of prey being killed illegally since lockdown began. More than 56 offences.
In August 2019, it was reported that the illegal killing of birds of prey on moorland had tripled in the space of two years. Traps and poison.
In January 2019, UK laws allowed licence holders to kill some of our endangered bird species under temporary permits licensed by Natural England & Natural Resources Wales. These birds included bullfinches, meadow pipits & oystercatchers. Also included was the skylark, which is on the critical red list.
In the EU, the illegal bird trade is worth at least 10 million euros per year. Songbirds are for human
consumption. One gram of songbird meat is said to sell for one gram of marijuana.
In January 2020, the Trump administration moved to soften some laws affecting wild birds, saying businesses (oil, gas, construction, etc) that kill birds accidentally ought to be able to operate without fear of prosecution.
Wings on the wire
Wings on the wire
In tangles, caught
By the very things
Meant to set us free.
We flutter like flies
Stuck on a silk web
Or coloured washing
Flapping in the wind.
Our migration ends
Here, trapped by man
To become sustenance
When we die.
Copyright Vickie Johnstone, May 20, 2020
One of the charities I support is the RSPB. Here are some of the worrying things that have been/are still happening.
In 2015, it was reported that 25 million wild birds were being killed every year in the Mediterranean, including chaffinches, robins, quails and thrushes. They were shot, trapped in long nets stretching across beaches or poisoned. Half of those killed were in countries with strong laws designed to protect them. The highest numbers were counted in Egypt, Italy and Syria.
In 2015, it was reported that 25 million wild birds were being killed every year in the Mediterranean, including chaffinches, robins, quails and thrushes. They were shot, trapped in long nets stretching across beaches or poisoned. Half of those killed were in countries with strong laws designed to protect them. The highest numbers were counted in Egypt, Italy and Syria.
On 15 May 2020, the RSPB said it was overrun with reports of birds of prey being killed illegally since lockdown began. More than 56 offences.
In August 2019, it was reported that the illegal killing of birds of prey on moorland had tripled in the space of two years. Traps and poison.
In January 2019, UK laws allowed licence holders to kill some of our endangered bird species under temporary permits licensed by Natural England & Natural Resources Wales. These birds included bullfinches, meadow pipits & oystercatchers. Also included was the skylark, which is on the critical red list.
In the EU, the illegal bird trade is worth at least 10 million euros per year. Songbirds are for human
consumption. One gram of songbird meat is said to sell for one gram of marijuana.
In January 2020, the Trump administration moved to soften some laws affecting wild birds, saying businesses (oil, gas, construction, etc) that kill birds accidentally ought to be able to operate without fear of prosecution.
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