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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 AUGUST 2023 7 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 879. Eurasian oystercatcher OYSTERCATCHERS are large stocky shorebirds. They are unmis- takable, with smart black and white plumage and a long, deep orange bill. They do actually eat oysters but they fare equally well on limpets, crabs and other invertebrates. Oystercatchers (M. gallina tal-baħar) are not often seen in Malta as they don't migrate much but our intrepid birdwatchers looking out at sea do spot small flocks from time to time, as happened only last week. Oystercatchers rarely venture inland, and when they do land, they usually alight on the foreshore for a quick kip, then off again before they draw attention. Their stunning plumage and their scarcity often catch the eye of hunters, who shoot them down to adorn their sad showcase collections. Surviving the heat waves: a few tips from FOE Malta On 12 August we celebrate International Youth Day. This year's theme is Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World. This theme emphasises the urgency of preparing young minds to engage in eco-friendly practices, renewable energy technologies, conserva- tion efforts, and sustainable development initiatives. International Youth Day's focus on green skills aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, urging nations to prioritize environmental education and green employment op- portunities for youth. Through education, training, and mentor- ship, we can ensure that the younger generation possesses the tools needed to shape an environmentally conscious world and drive the transition to a more sustainable and resilient future. At FOEM, we work on several projects which aim to involve youth in exploring green topics both at national and international levels. You might have heard of them from our social media: YEAH! Youth Hub, Youth Eco, Youthies, bicycle training sessions and more. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 766: Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated about all the events: https://foemal- ta.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 Metamorphosis, Emerging Artists 20 September Place: L'Isle Adam Band Club Rabat Two of our emerging students, Amy Falzon and Luke Paul Attard will be featuring large-scale works from the violinistic repertoire which are very often rarely presented in public recitals. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Guitarra 30 September Place: National Museum of Archaeology Are you a classical guitar aficionado? Do you enjoy music by the likes of Piazzola, Morricone, Williams and Albeniz? Then don't miss this night of pure musical magic as the acclaimed Czech guitarist, Barbora Kubíková, graces the elegant Gran Salon at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Services on the "Hogwarts Express" steam train can resume after being granted a temporary exemption to a safety rule. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said the Jacobite - made famous by its appearances in the Harry Potter films - can run until the end of November. Captain Jason Chambers from Australian reality series Below Deck Down Under has addressed sexual misconduct on the show's set. He thanked the production crew for "breaking the fourth wall and stepping in" during two incidents during filming for the new series. Services had previously been halted after a safety inspection found passengers were being put at risk. Two cast members were seen making unwanted sexual advances in recent episodes of the yacht-based production.