Having lived and birded in Egypt for 7 years during the 1990s, I agree
totally with these comments. All best, John Dawson

On 29/08/2013, falconservation <fanatic4falcons@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hi Brian,
>
> I haven't heard about this policy and would be rather surprised if it is
> found to be true. I heard nothing mentioned about such a boycott at last
> month's BirdLife World Congress in Canada and it would seem to run counter
> to the organisation's policies to date.
>
> Personally, I think this move could well be ineffective and actually
> counter-productive.
>
> Isn't one of the best way to persuade people to change their own behaviour,
> or those of their fellow citizens, to actively engage with them and to
> communicate face-to-face?
>
> I anticipate that, in Egypt at least, the number of annual BirdTours
> and Birdwatchers is miniscule when compared with other interest groups such
> as sun-seekers, sightseers, divers, photographers, etc. etc.  If Birders
> stop visiting the country would anyone actually notice? Let
> alone consider changing their behaviors? And besides there won't be anyone
> or anything to demonstrate to local people that there are
> alternative ways of doing things.
>
> I believe that a concerted campaign spearheaded by BirdLife but
> utilising BirdTour Operators and their Clients would likely be far more
> effective.  Developing hand-outs and other literature in both Arabic and
> English containing carefully crafted messages about conservation and
> sustainable use options would be a good start. Then BirdTours and their
> Clients could use these leaflets to actively engage with anyone and everyone
> they meet in the country.
>
> My experience in Egypt is that people are highly inquisitive when they
> see a Birdwatcher in the field, and they are always amazed to look through
> binoculars or a scope. However, most visiting Birders (including myself) are
> unable to communicate effectively in the local language so opportunities for
> real engagement are almost always missed.
>
> What if all BirdTour Operators committed to carrying say 500 leaflets
> in their vehicles on every trip, and Clients were actively encouraged to
> hand them out? Surely this is likely to be far more effective at tapping
> into local people's interests and good sense? After all, the Bedouin tribes
> were actaully practicing ecological sustainability thousands of years before
> the concept was even recognised in the West!
>
> Best regards,
>
> Nick
>
>
> --- In kenyabirdsnet@yahoogroups.com, Brian Finch <birdfinch@...> wrote:
>>
>> Dear All,
>> As I write millions more migrants are being slaughtered in Egypt, and
>> will not make it here to East Africa where without the natural
>> insecticide provided by these insectivores, crops will become infested
>> with insect pests and East Africans will go hungry.
>>
>> It all seemed so gloomy but the latest piece of news is that Birdlife
>> International is going to draw up a list and name and shame all the
>> bird tour operators that continue advertising and leading bird tours
>> in Egypt, but in addition other bird slaughtering regions Cyprus,
>> Malta, Sardinia, Morocco, and others.
>>
>> At present this is just a rumour, but if true it is a great move that
>> Birdlife will be sending this message, they must be congratulated for
>> taking this radical step, and we must support them in this endeavour.
>> They will of course be recommending a total boycott by concerned
>> birders for all companies continuing to operate in these countries.
>>
>> Has anyone else heard about this, I really think it is a good move and
>> they must be congratulated for taking this approach. It will at least
>> make the whole issue of annual bird slaughters a world wide problem to
>> be rectified and not just regional as it is now. Lets hope that the
>> other major conservation groups all over the world follow suit.
>>
>> Best to all
>> Brian
>>
>
>