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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 31 MAY 2015 38 This Week Half the Maltese Islands are taken up by farmland or former farmland. Ever the survivors, some birds have in time learned to live off this widespread man-made habitat and one of these is the corn bunting (M: durrajsa). Point this bird out to anyone, but nobody will go Wow! You see, the corn bunting is no jaw-dropping spectacle to behold: just a chunky speckly brown sparrow-like thing sitting on a wire. The give-away would be its characteristic jingling call, a sound that nowadays sends a little thrill of joy in every birder's heart. Why? Well, thanks to modern changes in farming practices, not least the increased use of pesticides, corn buntings have declined alarmingly in recent decades across Europe. Just 30 years ago the corn bunting's call was to me virtually synonymous with open countryside – those days are gone. What is more, the corn bunting is one of the species on the very short list of Maltese breeding birds. At this rate I fear it will not be many years before we cross Emberiza calandra off that list. 456. CORN BUNTING GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 359: HANG DRY – Get a clothesline or rack to dry your clothes by the air. Your wardrobe will maintain colour and fit, and you'll save money. Your favourite t-shirt will last longer too. The public's right to experience nature is under threat from a move by the European Commission to review some of the EU's most successful nature laws (the Birds and Habitats Directives). Friends of the Earth Malta together with over 100 organisations across Europe have launched a campaign to show the overwhelming public support for protecting nature. Europe's nature laws are recognised as some of the strongest in the world to protect animals, plant and habitats from extinction. Thanks to these laws, Europe now has the world's biggest network of protected areas, Natura 2000, covering about one fifth of Europe's land and 4% of its marine sites. These laws also offer vital protection to more than 1,400 rare or threatened species of animals and plants by ensuring they are protected in these Natura 2000 sites and in the wider countryside. Yet EU policymakers from European Commission President Juncker downwards are threatening to weaken these laws, potentially giving big business more access to use nature sites for profit. Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate Text Victor Falzon Photo Aron Tanti EU nature under threat Jack and his Beanstalk go past the watershed with Steve Hili's 'anti-panto' PANTO. A sweet end-of-year treat aimed at de- lighting the kiddies, right? Not anymore! Last year Steve Hili put together Malta's first ever 'anti-pan- to', it was for adults instead of kids, it was naughty rather than nice, and it was in summer because... why not? With its in-your-face silliness and no-holds- barred naughtiness it had audiences roaring with laughter, and this year, Steve and his gang have de- cided to go one better. Jack and His Beanstalk – The adult panto aims to be the rowdiest, raunchiest, and most ridiculously funny show you'll see this year. Featuring some of Malta's top comic talent including Colin Fitz, PJ Xerxen, Pia Zammit, Chiara Hyzler , Steffi Thake, Maxine Aquilina, Joe Depasquale, Naomi Said and Steve himself, who is taking a break from his com- edy work in London to come back to Malta to di- rect the show (he has also written it). This will be a journey unlike any other – from giants to bean- stalks via zombies, an out-of-control dame, and of course spring hunting. Jack and His Beanstalk will be performed in the air-conditioned comfort of Sir Temi Zammit Hall at The University Theatre on July 4 and July 11. Tickets are at €12. Bookings: ticketline.com.mt British artist's impressions of Malta DIN l-Art Ħelwa presents a talk by Lawrence Pavia entitled 'Ju- lian Trevelyan: From Sketches to Etchings'. The public lecture on the British artist's work focused on the Maltese landscape will take place on June 18 at 18:30 at 133, Melita Street, Valletta. Pavia has researched self- portraiture in Maltese Art and a number of British artists who painted in Malta during the sec- ond part of the 20th century. These included Julian Trevelyan and his wife Mary Fedden. Trev- elyan first visited Malta in 1958 and then again in 1963 and was moved by the natural beauty of its unspoilt landscape. The talk will explore the unu- sual relationship Trevelyan had with our landscape and socio- cultural aspects and how he pro- jected these in his works of art. The talk is free of charge but donations to DLĦ are welcome. For more information: 21225952 or info@dinlarthelwa.org Riding dirty: The cast of Jack and his Beanstalk – The adult panto