Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1424528
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 OCTOBER 2021 13 ALMANAC Fast art Nature Notebook 786. Hawfinch AND so, with government blessing, a 4000-strong army of 'research- ers' are again despoiling countryside and laying their infernal nets to trap thousands of finches. They are supposed to release them shortly after, but with little enforcement, it doesn't take a genius to conclude what will happen to any hapless finch that gets caught. The heav- yweight of the lot is the hawfinches (M. taz-zebbuġ). It's not com- mon, so it commands hefty prices on the market, no wonder thou- sands are smuggled into the country. The hawfinch is unmistakable: large head and massive bill that can crush even cherry seeds – one field guide describes it as a flying pair of nutcrackers! It's a bird of mixed deciduous woodland with plenty of oak, beech, etc. Nowhere is mentioned aviaries and poky cages with pathetic men ogling them through the wire mesh. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 678: Download the online new Meat Atlas using the website: friendsoftheearth.eu/publication/meatatlas-2021/ Meat Atlas – Everyday Food and Luxury Good THE global consumption of meat has more than doubled in the past two decades. In 2018, it was estimated that global consumption reached a staggering 320 million tonnes! Worryingly, it is estimated that this is to rise by another 13 percent by 2028. These increases are mainly due to increases in incomes of people around the world. However, this is not the reality for huge numbers of people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic's global economic crisis, which, accord- ing to the World Bank, will push 97 million people below the pov- erty line. In developed countries, meat consumption has remained at a relatively constant level. It is that of developing countries that is subject to change. In fact, it is estimated that demand in the devel- oping world will increase four times the amount that in developed countries will. 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 The Firebird in Gozo Date: 20 November 2021 Place: Teatru tal-Opra Aurora The MPO returns to Gozo with Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan in a concert presenting Stravinsky's Suite for orchestra from the ballet The Firebird. The Russian folklore theme continues as highly acclaimed South Korean violinist Bomsori Kim joins for Tchaikovsky's beloved Violin Concerto Maximilian Saliba Torri tax-Xlendi Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Medium: Screenprints Instagram: @maxsaliba Website: www.maximiliansaliba.com Illustrated works by Malta Community of Illustration members