Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/265009
THIS WEEK maltatoday, SUNDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2014 35 THIS WEEK If the last bird we looked at here – the Moorhen – was among the most common of our rails and crakes, the Allen's Gallinule sits right at the opposite end of the status spectrum. It is one of our rarest, with just three records in the entire history of Maltese ornithology; that is, until a few weeks ago, when a beautiful male specimen was spotted in a valley rich in vegetation, raising the record to a grand four. The Allen's Gallinule (Gallozz tal-Afrika) is a bird of tropical Africa and not normally given to long migrations, but it has turned up in several Mediterranean countries, though always as a vagrant (meaning more than very rare!) Like most other rails and crakes, it is very secretive and hard to see as it skulks, wades and swims among reeds and tangles of oating vegetation. The males have this striking plumage that shimmers blue-purple-green, with blood-red bill and legs for contrast. Seems such a waste to hide away all that splendour, but for birds safety comes before most other things in life. Text Victor Falzon Photo Nicholas Galea 392. ALLEN'S GALLINULE Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us www.foemalta.org. You can also support us by sending a blank SMS donation on 50618070 (€4.66) or 50619223 (€11.65). GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 294: SHINY SHOWER HEAD – Remove the limescale and gunk naturally from your shower head by soaking it in white vinegar overnight. Either remove the head and soak in a jug, or soak a rag over the head, secured with a plastic bag and elastic band. Aichi Biodiversity Targets – Pollution Reduced The European Commission must bend to overwhelming public and political opposition and ban a new controversial genetically modified (GM) maize. The maize, owned by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, is damaging to butterflies and has unknown impacts on bees and other pollinators. In a vote in the European Council last week, the majority of member states, including Malta, opposed the new maize. This reflects a vote in the European Parliament also in opposition to Pioneer's maize. However, a handful of pro- GM states backed the European Commission, who will now be given the mandate to authorise the GM maize. This is a clear signal: the public don't want GM, and nor do the majority of their elected politicians or governments. The European Commission must end its love- affair with biotech companies and their GM crops, and stop this toxic maize from reaching Europe's fields. The maize represents a new generation of highly toxic crops, according to Friends of the Earth Europe, producing an insecticide 350 times more lethal than that used for Monsanto's MON810 maize – the only other GM crop grown commercially in the EU. It is also designed to withstand a powerful weed-killer that is due to be phased out over safety concerns. Europe's own safety experts concluded that Pioneer's maize harms butterflies and moths, and that other impacts on our countryside are unknown. We don't need to take risks with untested and toxic GM crops when safer and more sustainable ways to farm are at hand. The decision comes at a time when the EU and US are in negotiations over a transatlantic trade agreement (known as TTIP) – touted as the biggest bilateral free trade agreement in history. Powerful multinationals, including agri-business, are currently lobbying for the deal to lead to weaker safeguards, in particular on issues related to food and GM crops. If the European Commission authorises the toxic maize for cultivation, it risks being sued by national governments for failing to uphold European Union laws, as demonstrated by the recent court ruling that over-turned the approval of the Amflora GM potato. Europe needs farming methods that protect the environment and deliver healthy food for all! Gypsy Mambo return to Malta MACEDONIAN band Gypsy Mambo will be performing at the Orpheum Theatre, Gzira on February 28, in their second visit to the island. The exotic band are a traditional set-up of eight members with the unmistakable sound of Balkan brass bands, typical of the area and first presented to western audiences through the films and music of Emir Kusturica and Goran Bregovic, the likes of Time of the Gyp- sies, Underground, and Black Cat White Cat. The popularity and infectious music played by these brass bands has become a global trend due to their crowd appeal and high-energy mu- sic. The event will be produced by Andrew Ala- mango, Alba Cauchi and Branko Radojevic, under the banner of Fringe! Productions. "Gypsy Mambo is a band which is not new to our shores. With the success formula of Black Cat white Cat in 2008, we are now bringing the band to play again for a carnival ball in the awesome Orpheum Theatre, which in itself has a tradition of carnival balls," Alamango said. "In the true spirit of carnival we are orches- trating a costume ball with a number of exotic elements. From a brass band playing the Roma oriental style to an electronic artist and other guests in attendance. There will also be a cos- tume competition with prizes to be won with the 'best' costume inspired by Emir Kusturica's film 'Underground'. "The band members were keen to come back and play for the local audience, and we have an expectant and mixed audience of expats and locals that are looking forward to this exotic party. "Hailing from Kocani in Macedonia the band play incessantly for hours as in the true tradi- tion, and are followed by an audience who can- not but dance away to the entrancing rhythms," Alamango added. Doors open at 20:00. Tickets are at €15, €20 at the door. Bookings: www.ticketline.com.mt Andrew Alamango. Also pictured: shots from Gypsy Mambo's previous visit to Malta in 2008