50 of the larger primary schools. In all, 
about 5,000 pupils in some 200 classes 
saw the show. Books on birds were 
donated to school libraries, and a bird 
painting competition was organised. 
Hunting and liming 
Surveys were carried out during the 
1990 thrush (January to February) and 
Turtle Dove Steptopelia turtur (April to 
May) himting seasons. A survey of 382 
thrush hunters indicated that thrushes 
are being overhunted. A survey of 141 
Turtle Dove himters indicated that laws 
were largely ignored and that many 
endangered and protected species were 
being hunted in large numbers. While 
about 80% of both groups of hunters 
declared themselves against liming and 
netting birds, over 20% of hunters shot 
birds of prey. 
Liming and netting remain serious 
problems. A survey of 54 schools in 39 
localities showed that 82% of these 
village and town people catch birds 
with limesticks. Of these people, 51% 
use mist-nets to catch birds and this 
practice is spreading. In all, it is 
estimated that between 570,000 and 
950,000 birds are killed annually by 
mist-netting or limesticks in North 
Cyprus. 
Griffon Vultures 
A census of the Pentadactylos 
mountains in 1989/90 foimd no signs 
of any breeding Griffon Vultures Gyps 
fulvus. A poster campaign to promote 
awareness amongst hunters and 
shepherds was carried out. 
Wetlands inventory 
Nearly all the wetlands (both natural 
and reservoirs) in North Cyprus were 
visited at least three times during the 
campaign. The inventory includes 
water levels and the species observed, 
as well as an assessment as to their 
value as a stopover for migrating birds. 
For one of the most important wetlands 
(Gonyeli), a development project has 
been prepared and submitted to the 
relevant authorities. 
ICBP XX World Conference 
resolution on bird killing in 
Cyprus and use of mist-nets 
The 20th World Conference of the 
International Council for Bird 
Preservation (ICBP), held in Hamilton, 
New Zealand, from 21 to 27 November 
1990, unanimously passed a resolution 
congratulating the Cyprus government 
for banning the spring shooting of 
migratory birds and urging the 
government to enforce Law No. 24 of 
1988, implementing the Convention 
on the Conservation of European 
Wildlife and Natural Habitats. It is 
hoped that this will be enforced 
throughout Cyprus. 
Japan is a major producer and exporter 
of mist-nets. The World Conference 
also recommended that the Japanese 
government:'(a) prohibit the 
production, sale, possession, and 
transfer, as well as the export of mist 
nets, except for scientific research, and 
strictly enforce the existing legislation'; 
and '(b) control the export of mist nets 
by a system of licencing from 
authorities designated to judge 
scientific purpose.' 
Slender-billed Curlew 
monograph 
In the last Bulletin, we reported that 
ICBP's Slender-billed Curlew 
Numenius tenuirostris project had 
finished and that a report was being 
prepared. The report. The status and 
conservation of the Slender-billed 
Curlew by A Gretton, is to be published 
as ICBP monograph no. 6; details from 
ICBP, 32 Cambridge Road, Girton CB3 
OPJ, UK. 
38 
