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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 APRIL 2022 11 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 809. Pallid Harrier HARRIERS are small eagle-like birds of prey. Along with millions of other birds, thousands of harriers leave Africa in spring, cross the Med and head for mainland Europe to find territory and build a family. Birds of prey tend to avoid big stretches of sea, so they try and cross where the sea is narrowest. Malta lies in a narrow neck of sea, so we get a fair share of raptors soaring overhead. Four harrier species occur, of which – for me – the male pallid harrier is the most stunning. Watching this silver-grey bird with the black 'fingertips' glide ghost-like over green meadows is one sight that takes some beating. The pallid harrier (M. bagħdan abjad) is far from common, and the few that soar over us are all the more precious for their scar- city. Sadly, their grace and rarity often spell their undoing at the business end of hunters' guns. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 697: To find out more and enter the quiz, please follow this link: here www.foemalta.org/quiz DO you want to win a €100 voucher from CORE GREEN: Organic & Fairtrade food & The Veg Box at The Farmoury? Friends of the Earth Malta is putting you to the test! We have come up with a quiz to pick your brain about local farming within a larger context of Europe- an policy. We also want to hear from you about of local produce and farming. It only takes a minute to fill it in so participate now!! Find out more and win a prize here www.foemalta.org/quiz or scan the QR-code in the picture. The quiz is available until 2nd of May, so hurry! Bring the Dialogue – Green European DEAL and the CAP' (Bridge DEAL &CAP) is funded by the IMCAP Programme of the European Union. The content of this publication represents the views of the author only and is their sole responsibility. The European Commission does not accept any responsi- bility for use that may be made of the information it contains. 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 Malta International Fireworks Festival Start date: 17 April Place: Various locations The Malta International Fireworks Festival took a more unique International standing when apart from the Pyro Musical Displays, there was the inclusion of the Traditional Maltese Fireworks. The definition of the word Pyro Musical Display is the combination of a pyrotechnical display synchronized with music. Pyro Musical Displays use lower- cost fireworks materials, to create a fireworks entertainment show that is synchronized to a musical theme. Traditional local fireworks, on the other hand, are more complex, faithful to local, authentic, hand- made, traditional production. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member finMalta's Easter Ballet Intensive Start date: 18 April Place: finMalta Studios, Valletta finMalta's 2022 Easter Ballet Intensive is led by the beloved ballet pedagog Javier Torres, newly appointed Artistic Director of the Finnish National Ballet who has also taught regularly at Stuttgart Ballet, Ballet Culberg, Nacho Duato Dancing Company, Norwegian National Ballet, Netherlands Dans Theater, Lyon Opera Ballet and the Ballet of the National Theatre in Prague. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Olivia Rodrigo, Silk Sonic and jazz musician Jon Batiste have shared the top honours at the 64th Grammy Awards. Batiste's uplifting soul record We Are won album of the year, while Rodrigo won best new artist and best pop album. Actress June Brown, who played the much-loved character Dot Cotton on EastEnders for more than three decades, has died at the age of 95. Her family said they were "deeply saddened" to announce that their "beloved mother" had died "very peacefully" at her home on Sunday. Olivia Rodrigo said winning three Grammys was a "dream come true. " Dot Cotton was one of the BBC soap's longest-running characters and a favourite with viewers.