Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1219206
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 MARCH 2020 6 CULTURE ENVIRONMENT Book Review L-Ittra ta' Osama u Stejjer Ohra John P. Portelli Horizons, 2019 L-ITTRA ta' Osama is a collection of short stories that focus on social cir- cumstances, including several stories that deal with challenges that migrants face. Some of the stories also deal with issues of social class, sexuality, hom- ophobia and psychological violence especially as it arises in educational institutions. The stories also exhibit the author's strong interest in anti-colonialism, his critique of classical liberalism and neoliberalism, and social justice and equity. However, Portelli's stories certainly do not moralise or preach, but rather show an understanding of the com- plexities of the human condition, so that these stories also deal with hot political and social issues and con- cerns. Portelli's aim is to create meaning- ful discussion and conversations that may bring about a better awareness of the human condition and then hope- fully act accordingly. Some situations are a mirror of the author's experiences, and are com- pletely imaginary. However, even in those stories based on experience, the entire story takes a completely imagi- nary narrative of its own. Flock of White Storks in Malta since Sunday A flock of rare White Storks (Ċikonji Bojod) has been in the Maltese Islands since last Sunday. The majestic birds were observed during the the past three days soaring and gliding gracefully over several ar- eas of Malta. Over the past nights, these storks have been adorning various church tops and high buildings, looking for the safety of high undisturbed plac- es where to spend the night. BirdLife Malta birders first observed nine of these mighty birds early on Sunday morning, and it seems they arrived in Malta the previous day. However, since last Sunday afternoon only eight have been seen, with several sight- ings reported in the areas of Żebbuġ, Mosta, Naxxar, Attard, Ta' Qali and Mtarfa. Between Sunday and Monday the birds roosted overnight around Mos- ta and were seen again yesterday. Last night three of them settled for the night on the steeple of St Theresa's Church in Birkirkara. At one point another stork tried to settle near them, but decided to leave after several unsuccessful attempts. Unfortunately two of them were noticed suffering from gunshot inju- ries – one of the storks had a slightly dangling leg whilst another had blood stains on its belly, leg and tail feathers. One of the birds has also been spot- ted with a colour ring with inscrip- tions A1G60 which BirdLife Malta have linked via their ringing scheme to Ipsheim in Bavaria, Germany, where one of these birds had been ringed on the 5th June 2018 by German bird ringer Erwin Taube. The ringing exer- cise is coordinated by the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour. The flock is probably a mix of adult and juveniles and all are probably originating from Bavaria in Germany. Stork pairs are known to mate for life, and family groups stick together throughout migration, with juveniles learning the best migratory routes from adults. BirdLife Malta reminds all that these are highly-protected birds, the hunt- ing season is closed and that any shots heard are therefore illegal and should be immediately reported. The eNGO is calling on the public to help them keep an eye out by reporting any sightings on 21347646 or 79255697 (out-of-office hours). While weather conditions in the com- ing days are not favourable, it is hoped that these beautiful birds will still con- tinue safely on their migration journeys in the coming days. (Above and blow) Photos by Ray Galea and Aron Tanti