Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1499169
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 MAY 2023 7 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 866. Filfla Lizard SITTING halfway to the horizon, the lonely little island of Filfla evokes a certain fascination. Its picturesque setting and its isola- tion (not to mention its violent history) all play a part in the aura. But for the naturalist, Filfla has the added lure of a unique ecology, which includes a fantastic lizard. The Filfla lizard is the same en- demic species we find on mainland Malta (the Maltese Wall Lizard – Gremxula ta' Malta) but it's a separate race that occurs only on that tiny speck of limestone. The Filfla lizards looks stunningly different from the ones that bask sleepily in our back garden. They're larger and they're black with this sequin-like metallic turquoise spots. The Filfla population seems to be thriving, though some do get snapped up by the voracious gulls that nest there. And for the record: the Filfla lizard has one tail, not two! Book of the Month – 'Where Wild Orchids Grow' by Johan Siggesson Another labour of love dedicated to Maltese flora in a very unique and special way is Where Wild Orchids Grow by Johan Siggesson. Johan is a wildlife photographer from Sweden but residing in the small Mediterra- nean island of Malta. He has received a number of international awards such as category winner in European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2018 and Travel Photographer of the Year 2017 and was titled Scottish Nature Photographer of the year 2014. You can enjoy this book by calling at our Green Library and leafing through it while in our garden reading corner or you may be interested in this exclusive offer being given by the author to our newsletter sub- scribers –Discount code FOE10EUR can be used on https://www.mar- vellousmalta.com/. Victor Falzon, Tim Micallef www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 754: Subscribe to our newsletter via the link 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 Queen Tribute Band - Majesty 23 September Place: Gianpula Main Room, Zebbug Prepare to be blown away by Majesty, the World's premier touring Queen tribute band. For over 10 years, Majesty has been captivating audiences worldwide with their electrifying and energetic stage show dedicated to the greatest rock band in the world - Queen! Featuring some of the UK's finest actors and musicians, Majesty is guaranteed to blow your mind! Secure your tickets now and join Majesty on an unforgettable journey through the timeless music of Queen. It's a show that will leave you in awe and make you believe that Freddie Mercury's spirit is alive and rocking! Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member From London's West End 19 August Place: Hilton Malta, St. Julian's Get ready to experience the ultimate ABBA tribute like never before! Take a chance on MANIA and prepare to be blown away by the world's number one touring ABBA tribute. For the very first time, they will be gracing the stage at The Hilton Malta on Saturday, August 19th 2023. Since their formation in 1999, MANIA has been captivating audiences worldwide, selling out theaters and concert halls across every continent. With over 3,000 live concerts in more than 35 countries, they have become a true sensation. Their recent accomplishments include a successful run in London's West End, performing at the iconic Shaftesbury Theatre, and a thrilling 80-date sell- out tour across the United States. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK More than 400,000 people are to receive a medal in recognition of their contribution to the King's Coronation. Made of nickel silver, it has the royal cypher on one side and images of the King and Queen Consort on the other. Malta has failed to make it to the final night of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool at the end of the first semi-final night.The Busker, composed of trio, Dav. Jr, Jean Paul Borg and Sean Meachen, failed to make it among the top 10 on Tuesday night. Recipients include police, ambulance workers, choristers and military personnel working at the Coronation. The semi-final result was determined through televoting.