Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/506094
XV maltatoday, Sunday, 3 May 2015 This Week Some birds are easy to see because they are big or colourful or both. Others are small with a more subdued or even cryptic palette, these are the birds you are more likely to hear first and maybe – if you're patient, observant and lucky – spot. The Tree Pipit is in this second, more challenging category. Tree Pipits are common migrants at this time of year as well as in autumn. If your ears are tuned to hearing the sounds of nature, you are likely to hear that characteristic thin 'pizz' call that tells you that one or a small flock of Tree Pipits just zoomed somewhere over your head. If you're fast and spot and follow this speck of a bird with your eyes until it lands, and you happen to have binoculars at hand, you will make out this slim, rather nondescript brownish bird with a streaky pale breast, strutting about on the grass looking for insects and worms to snap up with its thin beak. That's your humble Tree Pipit (in Maltese known so simply and onomatopoeically as Dizz) right there. But it won't be staying very long as these birds don't nest or winter here. They're only dropping in for a rest and a snack. 452. TREE PIPIT GREEN IdEA OF ThE wEEk 355: : Coffee filter triCks ii - Pack it up: Crumpled coffee filters also make great packing material. Beef cows in the uS are regularly given hormone drug implants to promote faster growth prior to slaughter. use of hormones – including oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and their synthetic versions – has been allowed in the uS since the 1950s. The Eu has banned the sale of hormone- treated beef in Europe since 1981, reaffirming this in 2003, due to public health concerns. The Eu recognises that "the use of hormones as growth promoters in cattle poses a health risk to consumers", af ter Eu scientists found eating beef treated with hormones poses cancer risks, as well as endocrine, developmental, immunological, neurobiological effects, especially for children. It is clear that hormone treated beef is being discussed in the TTIP negotiations. The uS government, with the backing of big food businesses, launched an international trade dispute in 1996 to challenge the Eu ban. The influential lobby group american Farm Bureau Federation, has said "continuing barriers to the export of u.S. beef... are major areas of interest" in the TTIP negotiations. Moreover, the Eu is proposing to weaken inspection on imports of meats and foods, as well as to work towards accepting international standards which are of ten less stringent. Hormone beef and dairy products could therefore in the future start landing on our plates. Future bans on factory farm practices that could harm our health will be more difficult if TTIP is agreed. 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). Text Victor Falzon Photo Aron Tanti Served by TTIP - Hormone meat Young cast brings The Little Mermaid back to life Masquerade School for the Performing Arts will be staging a dance production of Disney's The Little Mermaid for one night only at St Agatha's Audi- torium in Rabat on May 9, 19:30. The 60-minute musical is based on the 2008 Broadway produc- tion and the 1989 animated feature film. This classic Disney title contains all of the songs from the Academy Award winning animated feature film as well as three new songs from the Broadway show. The Little Mer- maid Jr. takes place in a magical kingdom beneath the sea, where a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she' ll have to def y her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she's the girl with the per- fect voice. The performance of Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. is open to the public. The young cast is made up of around 70 students under the direction of Anthony Bezzina and Daphne Said, with musical direction by Kristina Frendo and choreography by Elena Zammit. Sets are by Adrian Mamo and costumes by Louie Noir. Tickets are at €14. Bookings: www.bluebox.com.mt, 7979 3737 Ziguzajg favourite The Three Sunsets returns to the Manoel Following its great success at the Żiguzajg Arts Festival 2014 for which it was originally commissioned, "The Three Sunsets" is making a comeback on Teatru Manoel's stage for two performances only on May 9 and 10 at 17:30 and 10:30 respectively. Devised by members of Teatru Manoel Youth Theatre (TMYT) under the direction of Denise Mul- holland The Three Sunsets features an original story characterised by extraordinary scenery, fascinating puppetry, costumes, physical theatre and comedy. It is a fantastic show promising to captivate audiences of all ages and it's a musical with origi- nal music composed by Luke Saydon. Choreography is by Sandra Mifsud and design by Pierre Portelli. Gillian Gourlay from the National Theatres Scotland had this to say about the group when they performed their previous production of CLUB at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, "The power and strength of perform- ance by members of TMYT is equal to that of any professional company I have seen, this is a young company of truly talented performers, go see them while you can as they are defi- nite stars in the making". TMYT is part of Teatru Manoel's education programme Toi Toi which is directed by Rosetta Debattista. Bookings: www.teatrumanoel.com. mt, bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or 2124 6389 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DARREN ZAMMIT LUPI