Cyprus and Malta are islands that the birds rest in on the return from Africa. I would think they are pretty well tired out and need a short stop. Hardly sport. They get caught on the crossing from Morocco to Gibraltar too. Our swallow numbers were well down this year as they were being netted on their return. A lot of it is illegal but not properly enforced. It would be a bit like an unregulated Canada shooting all the ducks and geese that they can as they try to migrate south. After a few years there would be none left coming down into the U.S. Cyprus and Malta are in the European Union and break the law with impunity; whereas we in Britain abide by it. Lagopus…..
