Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1393937
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 JULY 2021 9 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 771. Soprano Pipistrelle BATS are possibly the animals – maybe on a par with snakes – that have fired human imagination the most, and spawned myriad myths and misconceptions. Unfortunately this has brought about much persecution of these harmless mammals, many of which are also beneficial to us ungrateful humans. Here in Malta we have a good ten species of bats, and the tiny soprano pipistrelle (M. pipistrell) is one of the most common. All our bats are voracious insectivores, so forget blood-sucking vampires. Go out at sundown and chances are you will see one or two of these crepuscular acrobats snatching their lunch from the air. A single bat can scoop up a couple of thousand mozzies in a night. How's that for beneficial! Victor Falzon, John J. Borg www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 663: If you would like to attend, register through this link: https://foemalta.org/event/integralecology/ Integral Ecology Event AS part of the Europe in Solidarity Project Friends of the Earth Mal- ta is organising an ONLINE discussion on the concept of integral ecology with guest speaker Mark Ciantar. Solidarity is a very broad concept that can take many forms but at its core is empathy and compassion with the people around us, as well as the social and natural ecosystems that we are a part of. At a time when we are seeing increased disconnectedness and imminent threats to ecosystems worldwide, Mark Ciantar will be sharing with us practical aspects of holistic solutions that take into account how natural systems interact between themselves and with social systems, which can strengthen our social fabric. 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.foemalta.org/donate Appster Smartphone fun and smarter work Reverb LP Free Apple, Andriod Boiled down, Reverb LP is a marketplace and discovery platform specifically built around vintage physical music media, specifically vinyl. You can browse, buy and sell thousands of new, used and vintage records, cassettes and CDs right on your phone from the comfort of your desk, couch or even the bathroom. You're probably not going to find one of the 10 most valuable vinyl records of all time in the app without a pretty hefty price tag, but you can use it help flesh out your essential vinyl collection TECH RETAILERS contact afarrugia@ mediatoday.com.mt A GOOD WEEK FOR Good Week/Bad Week Don't miss this A BAD WEEK FOR Salini fun day Date: 24 July Location: Sailna nature reserve Activities best suited for 12 and under, BirdLife staff will be on hand for the day with a variety of fun activities and exciting educational stalls, which will be spread both within the reserve and outside along the reserve path. Children will have the freedom to choose what activities you would like to do, whether inside or outside enjoying the sun. Sspaces for five families at each time slot, bookings will be taken for 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm & 2pm. Book by email education@ birdlifemalta.org by Thursday 22 July 2021 to request time slot. First-come, first- served basis. Paris Saint-Germain. The French said completed the signing of Italy's Euro 2020 goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on a five-year deal. The 22-year-old, who saved two penalties in the Euro final and was named player of the tournament, heads to France on a free transfer from AC Milan. Australia: its bid to quash a fast- spreading coronavirus outbreak will see its second largest city lockdown late Thursday, bringing the total number of Australians under stay- at-home orders to around 12 million. Melbourne and the rest of Victoria will join Sydney in a "hard and fast" lockdown. The bear study will be sold at Christie's in London Melbourne will now go under lockdown Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member