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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 MARCH 2023 7 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 857. Garganey MANY birdwatchers associate March with one particular group of birds: ducks. By ducks I don't mean the squat, waddling farmyard types but rather their infinitely more exciting wild, streamlined, fast-flying cousins. About two dozen species of wild duck have been recorded in Malta, most of which are scarce or very rare. The garganey (M. sarsella ħamra) is one of the more frequent, turning up regularly in spring and autumn, sometimes in large flocks, especially in spring. Birdwatchers usually spot garganeys and other wild ducks offshore, dashing across the Malta-Gozo Channel or floating like pieces of cork on the heaving surface. Very few actually fly inland – we don't have the large lakes or open reservoirs that attract them. But a handful sometimes touch down at Għadira, Is-Simar or Salina nature reserves. Plant of the Month: Rock Rose (Maltese: Ċistu) The Rock Roses are small to medium perennial shrubs which grow in rocky areas and poor soils, typically in the Mediterranean region. Their delicate tissue-like flowers with 5 petals range in colour from white to pink and purple and only last one day! But the plant itself is very hardy and can regenerate fast after natural fires. The foliage is usually scented and the plants often have highly flammable resins. Their resilience, cou- pled with their low maintenance needs and beautiful rose-like flowers have long made them popular in horticulture – but they are seen at their best in their natural habitats – the garigue and low maquis. In Malta it is most likely to come across two species within the Cistus family, both of which are rare: the White Rock Rose (Ċistu Abjad) Cistus monspelien- sis and the Cretan Rock Rose (Ċistu Roża) Cistus creticus subsp. erio- cephalus) with its larger bright pink flowers. The best time to spot these garigue beauties is from March till May (if you are lucky enough to find their hideouts…). As with all foraged plants ensure that you only take the necessary amount and without harming the rest of the plant. Always leave enough for the bees and other creatures that depend on it! That sounds like a lot of money, but keep in mind that basic infrastruc- ture is lacking on Comino, so it costs a lot of money to bring the needed resources to Comino. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 745: Learn more about our crowdfunding campaign for the Comino Bakery https://zaar.com.mt/projects/restoration- of-the-comino-bakery-restawr-tal-forn-ta-kemmuna/ 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 PRIVATE LIVES by Noel Coward From 17 March 2023 Place: Teatru Manoel Teatru Manoel & MADC present Noël Coward's brilliant comedy PRIVATE LIVES, directed by Malcolm Galea and featuring Edward Thorpe, Greta Agius, Myron Ellul, Kim Dalli and Giulia Gatt This classic comedy is definitely not to be missed! In PRIVATE LIVES, passion, laughter, romance, anger, and love set the stage for a battle of the sexes as divorced couple, Amanda and Elyot, find themselves unwittingly thrown together in Coward's classic comedy of manners. Unknowingly booking adjoining rooms while on honeymoon with their respective spouses, Victor and Sybil, Amanda and Elyot are forced to face their true feelings for each other. Fast-paced, witty, and passionate, Noël Coward's comedy is a delightful romp. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Moot Court 18 March Place: Law Courts, Valletta ELSA Malta's annual moot court competition on criminal law is back and is taking place on the 11th and the 18th of March! In the first round, teams question witnesses in order to gather information for the final round! Successful teams will practise their examination-in-chief and cross- examination skills before a jury. Both oral rounds shall take place at the Law Courts in Valletta. These oral rounds will be held in Maltese and will follow the Trial By Jury procedure presided over by a Judge. Interested students are to form teams of 2 persons and participants shall be awarded a certificate of participation! A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK The Busker, who will be representing Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, finished launched the music video for their entry Dance (Our Own Party). They praised the professionalism of the crew working on the video and all those involved in the production. Adidas is set to lose €500 million if it writes off its Yeezy footwear stock. The sportswear retailer issued a profit warning last week, citing its trouble with Yeezy stock. Adidas collaborated with rapper Kanye West to sell Yeezy trainers. The partnership brought in nearly $2 billion a year. The Busker say they can't wait to show everyone "what Malta we're taking to Liverpool!" In October 2022 Adidas cut ties with West after a number of anti-Semitic rants.