Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1524591
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 JULY 2024 5 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 929. Common Swift WHEN I first dedicated this column to the common swift (in July 2006) I described its status in Malta as "regularly seen even through- out summer, though they do not stay to nest". That last bit has since changed for the better. Swifts (M. rundun) still migrate over Malta in substantial numbers over summer, but since 2008 they also began nesting, starting with a small colony in Tas-Sliema and in subse- quent years spreading to other localities. The species is now consid- ered a regular breeding bird of Malta. Swifts are unparalleled mas- ters of the air: they feed, they mate, they even sleep in flight. They eat flying insects, which they hoover into their surprisingly wide mouth. And those shrill screams as they wheel overhead – now as a natural- ist I shouldn't anthropomorphise but when I hear them I can't help comparing them to kids rushing down a rollercoaster! Organisations slam Government plans to allow model airstrip in Wied ŻnuberA renewable energy community is a 9 organisations strongly condemn the Government's attempt to change the Ħal Far Local Plan so as to allow the construction of an airstrip for model aeroplanes in Wied Żnuber. The public can object to these plans by sending an email to halfar.review@pa.org.mt by the 24 July. The proposed changes stems from a secret agreement made in Febru- ary 2022 between three government agencies and the Ħal Far Model Flying Association, which allocated public land for an airstrip for model aeroplanes. This agreement was reached without consulting the Local Council, residents, or NGOs, undermining the integrity of the entire planning process. The Birżebbuġa community and environmental organisations have since been expressing their strong opposition to this socially and envi- ronmentally harmful plan. Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti (Photo) www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 796 Read the full statement here: https://kemmuna.org/coastal-landscapes-comino/ 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 Opera in the Capital 30 August Place: Misrah San Gorg Opera in the Capital returns for its fourth edition, promising an evening filled with world-renowned arias. This year's event features exceptional performances by tenors Alan Sciberras and Cliff Zammit Stevens, along with soprano Nadia Vella. They will be accompanied by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in St. George's Square, Valletta, on 30th August 2024. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Stephen Schwartz: Defying Gravity 29 September Place: Mediterranean Conference Centre Broadway comes to Malta! The first of its kind on the Island STEPHEN SCHWARTZ: DEFYING GRAVITY - LIVE IN CONCERT celebrates the most recognizable popular musical theatre songs of our era, with the rare opportunity to spend an evening with the man who wrote them! A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK The stars of Baby Reindeer and The Crown are among those nominated for this year's Emmy Awards. Scottish comedian Richard Gadd, creator of controversial Netflix series Baby Reindeer, has three nominations - for acting, writing and producing. Katy Perry's comeback has faltered after Woman's World, the first single from her new album, debuted at number 63 in the US chart and at 47 in the UK. It's a disappointing return for the pop star, who will release her seventh album 143 in September. Jessica Gunning, who plays stalker Martha, is also nominated for an acting award, as are co-stars Nava Mau (Teri) and Tom Goodman-Hill (Darrien). As well as being torn apart on social media, Woman's World – and its video – have been critically panned, with many feeling its feminist messaging is out of touch.