Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1521306
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 MAY 2024 5 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 920. Little Bittern HERONS and egrets are usually large birds but the little bittern is a pygmy. Dwarfish dimensions aside, however, all its attributes are typically heron: long neck (often held tucked in), long dagger-shaped bill and long lanky legs with spindly toes; in short, all the tools it needs to survive in a watery habitat hunting for slippery frogs and small fish. Little bitterns (M. russett tas-siġar) are usually birds we see – almost always fleetingly, they are so shy – in autumn and spring while they are migrating to or from Africa respectively. One or two sometimes overwinter in suitable reedy/watery areas such as Is-Simar, Għadira or Salina nature reserves, where hunters don't normally get at them. Like all heron species, the little bittern is a pro- tected species but they too often fall prey to trigger-happy morons. Friends of the Earth Malta is holding Nature Camp for Youth! The nature camp will be a space where young people get lifelong expe- riences with each other and nature. We will spend a weekend together in the amazing location of Xrobb l-Ghagin, enjoying the nature while doing fun activities, such as kayaking and cooking together. Join us to take a break from the busy city life and enjoy the nature and the com- pany! A more detailed agenda will be sent close to the date. For more information or questions, please email info@foemalta.org with subject line Nature Camp. The Nature Camp, from Friday 14 June to Sunday 16 June, is open to young people living in Malta from ages 18-30. The event will be held at Xrobb l-Ghagin. Food will be provided (vegetari- an/vegan), please indicate any dietary requirements in the registration form. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti (photo) www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 792: Register here: https://foemalta.org/event/naturecamp_24/ 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 Teatru Salesjan's Reopening On May 31 Place: Teatru Salesjan Celebrate the grand reopening of Teatru Salesjan with an all-standing live concert that promises a night of electrifying music and vibrant community spirit! Join us as we feature the dynamic performances by some of Malta's top performers, headlined by Red Electric, with stellar acts from The New Victorians, Claire Tonna, and Auntie's Yellow Sofa. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Isle of MTV Malta 2024 On July 16 Place: Fosos Europe's largest free music festival, Isle of MTV Malta is one of THE established dates in the summer music festival calendar will return to the iconic Il- Fosos Square on July 16th 2024 A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK German writer Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann have won the International Booker Prize. Their novel Kairos follows the destructive love affair between a 19-year-old student and a married man in his 50s who meet on a bus in East Berlin around 1986. Magician David Copperfield has been accused of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour by 16 women. Some of the alleged offences took place when the women were under 18, the Guardian newspaper has reported. They will split the £50,000 prize. The allegations date from the late 1980s to 2014.