Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1489264
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 JANUARY 2023 5 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 847. Common Pochard ABOUT two dozen species of wild duck have been recorded in Mal- ta. Ducks can be grouped in two main types: dabblers and divers. Dabblers generally live in shallow lakes and feed by up-ending half their body and dunking their head to reach for aquatic vegetation, without actually diving. On the other hand, divers can live in deeper waters as they can dive and swim down to graze on bottom vegeta- tion, maybe even snap up the odd slow fish. One diving species that visits Malta is the common pochard (M. brajmla) but it's not com- mon at all, quite scarce actually. Still, a few do turn up every year in autumn or winter, usually in bays and creeks, but also in places like Is-Simar, Għadira (there was one there just last week) and Salina nature reserves. The male's lovely rust-red head and black breast are distinctive. Giveaway for Supporters Christmas is over, but it's not too late for presents! That's why we've teamed up with TAPP Water Malta to give away one of their starter packs, which includes an EcoPro tap attachment and four filters worth €99. TAPP Water is a sustainable solution to replace all those plastic water bottles with an easy-to-install tap water filtration system. It frees you from the inconvenience of buying and returning bottles. More than 2,000 households in Malta are already doing away with plastic bottles, saving money and helping to reduce plastic pollution and CO2 emis- sions from their production. To do so, firstly go to the link at the end of this article, secondly subscribe to our annual membership and thirdly click on "Donate Now". We will consider only annual donation, so please tick "make this a yearly donation". Any donation amount of €10 or more is eligible. The winner will be announced on 10 January 2023. But why becoming a supporter of FoE Malta? Because it is a great and easy way to support us as an environmental NGO. As a supporter, you are helping us in our mission to protect the environment and support the community. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 735: Support Friends of the Earth Malta to help restore nature and tackle climate breakdown https://foemalta.org/support 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 Bonsai Exihibtion for Charity Until 23-24 January Place: Bonsai Culture Group Malta Annual Xmas Bonsai Exhibition for Charity indoors at the Bonsai Culture Group Malta clubhouse in Floriana. Parking available Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member The Whisky Festival 2023 28 January Place: Limestone Heritage The fifth edition of the whiskey festival will be taking place at the Limestone Heritage in Siggiewi on the 28th January 2023! You will find a wide selection of both blenden and single malt whiskeys paired with the right food, besides other entertainment for all the family throughout the event. After a cease of two years we are resuming our energy to a great comeback for this much awaited event. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Avatar: The Way Of Water has made $1bn (£831m) at the global box office in just 14 days, becoming the fastest film to pass the milestone this year. The long-delayed sequel has proved a hit with audiences despite wildly varying reviews. Actor and comedian John Bird has died aged 86, his representatives have confirmed. Bird was part of the TV satire boom of the 1960s, and well known for his many appearances opposite John Fortune. It is one of only three films to surpass $1bn this year, after Top Gun: Maverick and Jurassic World Dominion. The pair memorably appeared alongside Rory Bremner in the Channel 4 TV series Bremner, Bird and Fortune.