Under fire : The British military are not doing enough to stop migratory birds in the Mediterranean being killed by nets or traps , according to a conservation group . The British military are not doing enough to stop migratory birds in the Mediterranean being killed by nets or traps , a conservation group has claimed . More than two million migratory birds were deliberately killed in Cyprus last autumn , according to new data . The birds , which cost 80 euros ( £86 ) for a dozen , are a local delicacy known as ambelopoulia . The illegal activity has now caused a drastic drop in the numbers of blackcaps , robins and songbirds and has been dubbed 'out of control ' . A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ( RSPB ) , a partner of Birdlife Cyprus , described the issue as 'trapping on an industrial level ' . He said : 'We are hoping that we can begin to get a grip and would like the British base of Dhekelia to help clear the acacia , which trappers plant to lure in birds . 'It is so obvious when it is taking place . It is easy to detect and easy to see where it has been planted . We accept it is a difficult job but we would like to see some commitment to a timetable . 'Unfortunately last year the action the British military took was too late because it was after the trapping season . 'At the moment the Ministry of Defence are arguing with our figures but everybody needs to work together . 'Trapping itself has been illegal since 1974 and it is against the laws and regulations of the base area . ' The birds are caught by trappers using netting or limesticks - twigs covered in sticky lime or glue . Nearly ten miles of net supports and more than 6,000 limesticks were discovered between September and October last year , according to Birdlife Cyprus . Nearly ten miles of net supports ( above ) and more than 6,000 limesticks - twigs covered in glue - were found between September and October last year , according to Birdlife Cyprus . The birds , which cost 80 euros ( £86 ) for a dozen and can be grilled or pickled , are a local delicacy known as ambelopoulia . Trappers , who like to use the area around Dhekelia , also play birdsong through loudspeakers hidden in the bushes to lure more in and throw gravel to force birds towards their nets . Nearly 4,000 poachers are believed to be involved in the autumn trapping season - much higher than in summer because the birds are plumper . Clairie Papazoglou , Birdlife Cyprus ' chief , said poaching was a 'serious , persistent and growing problem ' . She added that it 'has been the worst year with the highest trapping levels since the start of the monitoring programme in 2002 ' . The trappers connect MP3 players or CD players to car batteries and speakers hidden in the bushes . They then play birdsong and lure birds into hidden nets . An official checks a huge haul of hundreds of dead birds taken from trappers in Cyprus . Birdlife Cyprus has also called for tougher sentencing but admitted attitudes towards killing and eating migratory birds would have to change to make a difference . Poachers that are caught can currently receive penalties of up to three years in jail and fines as high as 17,000 euros ( £12,215 ) . A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said : 'We do not accept the report ’ s unverified claims about loss of bird life during this period , which was based upon data collected from a very short period . 'We are committed to tackling poaching which is why we arrested nearly 50 poachers and seized 450 nets and 286 piece of poaching equipment during the last migration period . When we catch poachers we can fine them €17,000 , or send them to prison for up to 3 years . 'We continue to work with local organisations to discuss how we can work as effectively as possible . '
The birds can be sold for 12,215 to restaurants and cafes . Nearly ten miles of nets and 6,000 limesticks were recovered last year . Limesticks are covered in glue to trap birds when they go to perch . Conservation groups calling for Ministry of Defence to help remove traps .