Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1419860
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 OCTOBER 2021 13 ALMANAC Fast art Nature Notebook 784. Green Sandpiper ONE of our regular shorebirds is the green sandpiper. It's one of those species that fly all the way up to the Siberian tundra to nest. Subarc- tic summers are short, so these birds' breeding season is equally brief and they're soon winging back south. One or two green sandpipers (M. swejda) turn up at places like Għadira, Simar and Salina nature reserves from summer all the way through autumn. They would readily explore our sandy shores to sift around in the sand with their long beak for juicy worms and crustaceans. Now that the autumn rains have sent the human beachgoers scuttling, greenies have a bet- ter chance of snapping up a cropful of sand hoppers. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 676: Subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated on cam- paigns such as these on www.foemalta.org/support SaveBeesAndFarmers – European Citizen's Initiative THE Save Bees and Farmers European Citizen's Initiative came to an end of September 30th. This petition called on the European Commission with three main requests: the phasing out of synthetic pesticides by 2035, the development and enforcement of measures to restore biodiversity, with a focus on the transformation of agricul- tural areas into vectors of biodiversity recover, and lastly to ensure that farmers are supported in this transition. The required number of signatures for a European Citizen's Initiative to be proposed at the European Parliament is 1 million. Thanks to the combined effort throughout a number of European member states, a grand total of 1.2 million signatures have been collected. The signatures are cur- rently being validated by national authorities, after which a hearing will be carried out. Thank you to all those who contributed! 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 Don't miss this PASSI MILL-KURITUR Date: 29-30 October 2021 Place: The University of Malta, Valletta Campus Synopsis of play An unexpected misfortune led them to return to the convent where they spent most of their children. Everything seems to have remained the same as they left it over fifteen years ago, including the secrets hidden in the corners and antique furniture. But their tour led them to face not only the current mysteries, but also those steps that have haunted them for many years. Emma Venables Skully Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Medium: Digital Instagram: @te.bftit.halib Website: https://www.behance.net/Venables Illustrated works by Malta Community of Illustration members