Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1318996
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 DECEMBER 2020 17 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 740. Great Crested Grebe GREBES are the quintessential water birds. They are as much at home under water as penguins, and just as ungainly on land! We get three species of these elegant birds in Malta, and the great crested grebe (M. blonġun prim) is the largest and most scarce. Still, a few do turn up in autumn and winter, bobbing among boats in bays and creeks, occasionally at Għadira or Salina nature reserves too. These birds fly down to the mild-weathered Mediterranean to escape the freezing winter up north, and eke out a winter diving for small fish. They are protected by law here but many hunters regularly chase and kill these beauties from fast seacraft. Victor Falzon, Aaron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 633 Try our delicious Orange Mousse recipe What's in season? – Oranges THE orange is a great source of Vitamin C and also a great source of fiber which helps to reduce high cholesterol levels helping to prevent atherosclerosis. It also helps you in the prevention of kidney stones and to keep your blood sugar levels in control. It also does help to keep cardiovascular disease at bay. The peel too can be very useful. It can be used to make marmalade, sweets, and to add zest in a mock- tail or even dessert for that matter. The most common citrus vari- eties grown in the Maltese Islands are the ordinary round orange, the large oval orange, the Malta egg orange, the Malta egg-blood orange, the Bahia or navel orange, and the vanilla orange which is a sweet type of orange. They can be kept in room temperature for around a week, but last twice as much if kept in a refrigerator. VISIT Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation – www.foe- malta.org/donate https://foemalta.org/oranges Appster Smartphone fun and smarter work Forest - Stay focused 2.99 Apple, Andriod Staying focused has never been harder in this world of digital distractions. From phone calls to text messages, your attention is constantly being diverted. Plant a tree when you need to stay focused. If you commit to your task without getting distracted, your tree grows; if you cannot resist the temptation to use your phone, your tree dies. Over time, you will have an entire forest built from your focus and commitment. TECH RETAILERS contact afarrugia@ mediatoday.com.mt A GOOD WEEK FOR Good Week/Bad Week Don't miss this A BAD WEEK FOR Christmas with ViBE 22 December, at Manoel Theatre in Valletta at 8pm Tickets are 20 euros (15 euros for senior citizens and students) Check out the theatre's website for more details. The popular concert with the Valletta Baroque Ensemble returns with a new programme filled with the magic of Baroque Christmases gone by. This year ViBE will be joining forces with KorMalta and bass Albert Buttigieg. Delight in the sights and sounds of yesteryear with music by the most celebrated baroque masters. For fans of Indiana Jones. US actor Harrison Ford will reprise his role as adventurer Indiana Jones in the Disney movie franchise. The film, to be directed by James Mangold, is to be the 78-year-old actor's fifth and final instalment as Indy. Fans of British TV. Dame Barbara Windsor, best known for her roles in EastEnders and the Carry On films, has died aged 83. Windsor, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2014, campaigned to raise awareness of the disease in her later years. The film is expected to be released in 2022 Her husband made the announcement late on Thursday Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member