Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1469874
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JUNE 2022 11 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 817. Yellow-legged Gull SINCE we're islands, it's no surprise that gulls turn up regularly. But of the dozen-odd species so far recorded, just one breeds: the yel- low-legged gull (M. gawwija prima), which is also our largest regular breeding bird. A few pairs build their flimsy nests on narrow seacliff ledges but the gull stronghold by far is Filfla, where about 200 pairs nest; from ongoing BirdLife studies, the colony is thriving. Filfla is a strict nature reserve, with access limited only to scientific study, so disturbance is kept to a minimum. In the past the gulls bred more commonly on the mainland seacliffs but hunting largely killed off the mainland colonies. Gulls hunt fish and other prey at sea but they also go for any floating material that's edible. In recent years the clever gulls have also learned to make daily scavenging trips to the Maghtab landfills. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 703: To find out more and support FOE during Earth Garden Festival go to https://foemalta.org/comino/earthgarden/ Earth Garden Festival attendees strongly encouraged to donate to Friends of the Earth Malta Friends of the Earth Malta is very excited and honoured to have been chosen as the official Earth Garden NGO partner this year! The Earth Garden Festi- val 2022 offer free admission this year because of their 15-year anniversary. Instead, they strongly encourage attendees to donate to Friends of the Earth Malta upon entrance at the Ta'Qali Venue! FoE Malta's volunteers have set up a stall at the entrance of the festival in order to collect donations which will contribute to our Comino Sustainability Centre project. Drop by today to say hello and we'll be happy to tell you more about our work and future activities. Should you wish to make a donation even after Earth Garden Festival is over, you can simply use the form below. Every little bit counts! One can also be- come a supporter of Friends of the Earth Malta. 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 ABODE on the Rock Start date: 16 June Place: Gozo, Malta ABODE is back in Gozo for their THIRD Maltese takeover as ABODE on the Rock returns in June 2022! Setting up on the beautiful island, festivalgoers can expect glorious sunshine, immaculate beaches, wild boat parties and unique night- time venues, all sound tracked by ABODE's perfectly curated sound! Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Malta International Wine Festival 2022 Date: 23 June Place: Argotti Gardens The 2nd edition of the Malta International Wine Festival is almost here! A new venue, Argotti Gardens, will welcome this edition between the 23rd and 26th June from 18:00hrs onwards. The festival focuses on showcasing an extensive range of wines from Malta and around the world! The event can be enjoyed by everyone from the seasoned connoisseur to the curious newcomer! Learn trade secrets in the art of winemaking, dazzle your palate with the exquisite flavours of some of the best wines in the world, and even rub elbows with more than a few notable winemakers who will use their expert knowledge to let you in on some wine-making tips and tricks, all while you enjoy live music in an atmospheric setting. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Geetanjali Shree has become the first Indian writer to win the International Booker Prize. Her novel Tomb of Sand, a family saga set in the shadow of the partition of India, follows an 80-year- old woman after the death of her husband. It was the first Hindi-language book to be shortlisted for the £50,000 prize. The band said they were "shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member, and bandmate". It was the first Hindi-language book to be shortlisted for the £50,000 prize. The statement went on to say that the keyboard player had a "heart of gold" and their "hearts are with his family".