Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1510125
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 OCTOBER 2023 7 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 889. Red-rumped Swallow SWALLOWS are called heralds of spring, but that's only strictly true in lands where these birds return in spring to nest. For places like Malta that lie along the swallows' migration route, swallows turn up in both spring (on their way north) and autumn (on their way south to Africa). Pretty though the common barn swallows are, it pays for a naturalist to check out a flock properly for that rare jewel that sometimes joins their throng: the exquisite red-rumped swal- low. The rusty-red markings on its head and lower back set the bird apart, and certainly earns it its Maltese name Reġina tal-Ħuttaf. Civil society groups condemn the approval of the Msida Creek Project In collaboration, three local NGOs – Rota, Moviment Graffitti and Friends of the Earth Malta – have prepared the below response to the approval of the Msida Creek Project. Over the past 3 years, our organisations have provided in-depth feed- back on the project, through numerous meetings, articles and actions. An improvement was evident to the 2019 version, and our first reac- tion was positive. The proposed bridges with lifts to cross a road were removed. However, we cannot compare what was previously proposed with what is currently being proposed. We need to compare the exist- ing scenario with what is currently being proposed. The project still lacks basic connectivity for alternative transport us- ers, including pedestrians, bus users, cyclists and wheelchair users. Instead of prioritising active and public transport, and place-making for a village square, the project has fundamentally wrong objectives, inviting more through-traffic by prioritising improved traffic flow and increased parking spaces. The project even goes against the govern- ment's 35 million project to create a cycling network in the central region of Malta. We are against the construction of a flyover in the middle of a residential and urban area. It is a terrible planning decision. Victor Falzon www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 772: Our proposals can be found here: https://foemalta.org/press-releases/ msidacreek/ 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 Banda Trakadum - Live at Storeroom on 4 November Place: Storeroom Come down to Storeroom on Saturday 4th November to witness a fusion of styles performed by Banda Trakadu, who will take you on a journey ranging from samba and reggae, to funk and African rhythms. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Carols in Concert On 22 December Place: Malta Aviation Museum Carols in Concert will consist of traditional Christmas songs with a twist during first half and more fun Popular carols during second half. A live band led by Mro. Joe Brown will be accompanying a 100 children's choir being the highlight of the show together with guest artists, Lisa Gauci, Christian Arding and Chris Grech. The Spectacle one should not miss this Christmas. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK A 19-year-old pianist who has been called "classical music's answer to K-pop" has signed an exclusive deal with the UK's Decca Records. Yunchan Lim stunned the music world last year when he became the youngest ever winner of the prestigious Van Cliburn Piano Competition in Texas. The MTV Europe Music Awards have been cancelled over "devastating events in Israel and Gaza". Organisers Paramount told BBC Newsbeat this was "out of an abundance of caution". His performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 has since been watched more than 12 million times on YouTube. "Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward," a statement said.