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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 NOVEMBER 2021 9 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 790. Grey Wagtail NOW that the autumn rains have come with a vengeance, take a walk down a valley that has a stream at the bottom, and you may just meet a grey wagtail. Mind you, it's more likely you'll only see it flying off, having spotted you approaching. A pity since, despite the drab name, the grey wagtail (M. zakak tad-dell) is quite attractive. Its black, grey and white upperparts set off nicely the lemon under- parts, and its slim build and long tail complete the picture of avian elegance. Unlike their gregarious cousins the white wagtails, greys are generally solitary and prefer to patrol alone their quiet stretch of stream looking for small invertebrates. They are not year-round residents here but visit while on their migration, though several stay the winter if they find suitable habitat. Come spring, they all fly back to mainland Europe to nest. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 683 Subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated on our cam- paigns https://foemalta.org/get-involved/newsletters-signup/ November Flower of the Month: Carob Tree (MT: Siġra tal-Ħarrub) Ceratonia silique Today carob powder and its products (made from the de-seeded ripe pod) are considered as a superfood, while the seeds yield Locust bean gum, widely used in the food industry as a thickener and stabiliser. Some local farmers export the pods, but in Malta its main use in recent years has been for the production of ġulepp tal-ħarrub (a carob syrup traditionally used as a cough remedy) and karamelli tal-ħarrub, the only 'sweets' allowed during Lent. 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 Versatile Christmas 7 December 2021 Place: Teatru Manoel Glitz, glamour and many of the world's best-loved songs will swing onto the Teatru Manoel stage on 7 December for A Versatile Christmas concert that signals the start of our national theatre's fabulous festive celebrations. Starring the magical voices and performances of Nadine Axisa, Pamela Bezzina, Christine Dalli, Nadia Vella, Martina Borg and Adrian Galea Lucas, A Versatile Christmas will bring spectacle and joy to two performances on 7 December – one at 6.30pm and one at 9pm. The result – led by creative artist Antoine Farrugia – promises to be a musical evening that puts a true spring in your step as you walk back onto the beautifully lit streets of festive Valletta. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Rockestra 3 December Place: MFCC - Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre, The 12th edition of Rockestra – Times Like These, will take place on Friday 3 December at the MFCC in Ta' Qali. Tickets for Rockestra 2021 went on sale on Wednesday, 3rd November, and can be purchased from showshappening.com.mt. For the first week after the launching of this event, one can buy four tickets and get two more for free. Anyone attending Rockestra must present a vaccine certificate. A GOOD WEEK FOR Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK FOR For Giuseppe Dell'Anno. He celebrated victory on Tuesday after what judges on the Channel 4 show described as the closest finale yet. For fans of Wilbur Smith The international best-selling author died at his home in Cape Town at the age of 88. Smith's 49 published books have sold more than 140 million copies worldwide. The 45-year- old is a resident of Bristol He gained widespread recognition following the publication of his debut novel When the Lion Feeds in 1964