Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1483500
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 NOVEMBER 2022 9 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 839. Eurasian Thick-Knee ONE bird whose name is familiar with many Maltese is tellerita, for no other reason than that people use it as a figure of speech to describe a chatterbox. But that's as close as most of us come to the wide-eyed Eurasian thick-knee (also known as stone curlew). The thick-knee is one of that long list of birds who visit during spring and autumn migrations. It belongs to the group known as waders, most of which spend their life foraging for food along the shoreline. But thick-knees don't much do that, they go for drier habitat, even sub-desert, and when they stop over for a rest, they mostly stick to rocky areas. The bird is shy and scarce, so you'd be very lucky to flush one out of the scrub when you're out walking in open country. As for its motormouth reputation, I've still to hear it talk, let alone chatter! Plant of the month This November, we will give special attention to the White Poplar (MT: Luq) Populus alba. The White Poplar tree may not be so popular with many locals as it is scarce, growing only in a handful of valleys and re- quiring a riparian habitat – in valleys alongside temporary or perma- nent watercourses. This deciduous tree makes up for its lack of foliage in winter by later covering up in relatively large bicoloured leaves which have a magical quality on windy days with the shimmering effect they create. The leaves are green from above and pure white from below. The silvery whitish tinge is owed to tiny hairs which cover it and give it a downy coating soft to the touch.The bark is pale and the twigs are also white giving it a very special appearance particularly on moonlit nights. The wind pollinated catkins dress up the bare tree in late winter when spring is approaching and before the leaves grow back. It is easier to come across male trees (with light green smaller catkins). The tree is considered to have medicinal uses – Guido Lanfranco outlined its local application as an astringent, as a remedy for rheumatism and earache amongst other things. Other sources state that the leaves are rich in Vi- tamin C and are useful for tooth protection. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 727: To stay up to date subscribe to our monthly newsletter here: https://foemalta.org/get-involved/newsletters-signup/ 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 Three Palaces Early Opera & Music Festival 1-12 November Place:Various Organised by Festivals Malta, audiences experience intimate concert performances in the grandeur of some of Malta's finest palaces and indulge in forms of artistic expression that reflect the identity of the nation and beyond. Emerging artists perform alongside the finest established artists in Malta and internationally. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Valletta Baroque Festival 11-29 January Place: Various The Valletta Baroque Festival is organised by Festivals Malta in collaboration with Visit Malta, Teatru Manoel and The Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government. For more information visit www. festivals.mt/vbf For ticketing issues kindly send an email on ticketsupport@visitmalta. com A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Singer Mariah Carey is no longer being sued for copyright infringement over her hit song All I Want for Christmas is You, after country singer Andy Stone dropped his legal action. Songwriter Mr Stone sued the popstar in June, claiming he co-wrote a song with the same name five years earlier. Julie Powell, who found fame with an early food blog that was turned into a best-selling book and a hit movie, has died at the age of 49. In 2002, Powell challenged herself to cook all 524 dishes in a recipe book by TV chef Julia Child in 365 days as a distraction from her day job. He told the court he would dismiss the case - but legally he could refile it. The resulting blog gained a large following and a book came out in 2005.