Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1327039
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 JANUARY 2021 9 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 744. Lesser black-backed gull A couple of weeks ago we featured the slender-billed gull, a graceful, medium-sized bird. This time we focus on one of its larger cous- ins, indeed one of the heftiest gulls that visit our shores: the lesser black-backed gull (M. gawwija daharha iswed). Most gulls are hard to tell apart, but lesser black-backs are easy to identify on account of their very dark almost-black upperparts. This species nests in more northern latitudes and only visits the Mediterranean for winter. It is not particularly common in Malta, though it occurs every year. Like many other seabirds, lesser black-backs are masters of the air and they are a spectacle to watch as they effortlessly swing and glide on the wind. Pop down to BirdLife's Salina nature reserve this weekend for a free winter aerial display by a few thousand gulls. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 637 See all the books available in our Green Library by following this link Book suggestion – Green Library THIS January, you can borrow award-winning environmentalist Vandana Shiva's book Staying Alive, in our green lending library based in Floriana. It shows that "ecological destruction and the mar- ginalization of women are not inevitable". Through the example of Indian women's experiences and insight, she shows how they are initiating solutions to stop the destruction of nature. This book will give you reasons to stay hopeful and determined for this New Year!. 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 http://foemalta.org/library Appster Smartphone fun and smarter work Anylist: Grocery shopping list Free Apple, Andriod AnyList is the best way to create grocery shopping lists and collect and organize your recipes. Easily share a list with your spouse or roommates. TECH RETAILERS contact afarrugia@ mediatoday.com.mt A GOOD WEEK FOR Good Week/Bad Week Don't miss this A BAD WEEK FOR Toi Toi Barock Concert 24 January 2021 at 3pm & 5:30pm Toi Toi (Teatru Manoel's Education Programme) presents a uniquely bizarre series of mishaps resulting in some seriously silly musical mash-ups. What do you get if you cross a confused stage manager, two Baroque divas and an unsuspecting accompanist? We'd love you to come and help us untangle the musical mess together! Dress to impress: heavy eyeliner and bouffant at the ready! Tickers are 10 euros (€8 euro for senior citizens and students.) For fighting COVID-19. EMA has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna to prevent Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in people from 18 years of age. For fans of award shows. The Grammys have been postponed due to coronavirus concerns. The award show was due to take place on 31 January but has now be pushed back to 14 March. This is the second COVID-19 vaccine that EMA has recommended for authorisation This is due to rising infection numbers in Los Angeles and the state of California Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member