Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/527016
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 JUNE 2015 38 This Week It's a migration of sorts. For most of the year the sea is just there for the view, but come June many people make the beach practically their habitat. For many birds, however, the shoreline is their only world. Such birds – collectively called waders – live out their life patrolling the edges of sandy, muddy, pebbly or rocky shores, which can be surprisingly rich in food. Most waders have long beaks that help them probe the mud for worms, and long legs to wade into the shallows and snap up mollusks, crustaceans or tiny fish. Over 40 wader species have been recorded in Malta, of which the Ringed Plover is one of the regulars, if never in large numbers. It's an accomplished shorebird even though it lacks the long bill and legs. Like other waders, the Ringed Plover (M: Monakella Prima) would dearly love to check out our sandy beaches, but that cavorting sea of humanity naturally discourages it. This is why it is so vital to have protected areas, like Għadira nature reserve or Salina, where such birds can rest and refuel. 458. RINGED PLOVER GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 361: TURN OFF COMPUTERS AT NIGHT – By turning off your computer instead of leaving it in sleep mode, you can save 40 watt-hours per day. If you don't want to wait for your computer to start up, set it to turn on automatically a few minutes before you get to work. We all have a right to nature – and chipping away at vital laws that help protect it would be a disaster for European citizens and the nature we love. We are mobilising people across the EU and will make our voices loud and clear – our nature is not up for grabs and we expect our politicians to protect it for all of us and for future generations. The first stepping-stone towards weaker nature protection is a review of the existing laws by the EU – which European citizens are being invited to comment upon. The questions are open to the public, but difficult to find and complicated to answer for non- experts. To give the public a chance to say 'no' to plans to weaken our nature laws, Friends of the Earth Europe, Birdlife, WWF and the European Environmental Bureau have launched a simple website that citizens can use to easily answer the consultation with just a few clicks. We urge everyone who believes in the right to enjoy and protect nature to have their say by visiting www.foemalta.org/ naturealert 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 Chris Cachia Zammit Nature Alert Hurtling towards the final journey THE Malta railway is central to a love story written by Richard Attard after his success with the novels Il-Kodiċi Vassalli and Ix- Xabla Leġġendarja. Undoubtedly, falling in love is a popular topic amongst adoles- cent readers. But especially for those coming of age, falling in love is complex. In this new novel, the author takes on the voice of a fourteen-year-old girl who re- counts a love story free from sen- sationalism. Amy and her friends are as- signed a school project about the Malta railway. This leads them to Saviour, who despite his advanced age, in a lucid and moving man- ner, takes them on a voyage of love ignited during the last days of the railway in 1931. In a dramatic and original way, the youngsters become participants in what Sav- iour went through in the past and also have a hand in what still lies ahead for him to realise his youth- ful dream. In his well-thought-out literary work, Attard once again blends Malta's historic heritage with a modern-day story that will surely go down well with teenagers and all those who are young at heart. L-Aħħar Vjaġġ is published by Horizons. maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 JUNE 2015 Rotary Club Malta helps Inspire THE seventh Rotary Hands-On Day organized by Rotary Club Malta, was held on Saturday 30 May at Inspire, the foundation for inclusion in Mar- sascala. Rotarians, Interactarians and friends gathered to clear, clean and tidy the outside garden area which is enjoyed by the clients of Inspire. The volunteers cleaned the parking area, they weeded the park and cleared out an incredible amount of debris, leaving the place pristine. The work carried out was difficult, especially given the warm weather on that day but it was with satisfaction that the volunteers stood back and appreci- ated the work done. "Seeing so many volunteers from different walks of life and age, roll up their sleeves and do the so much needed work in our park, was so heart-warming, we have no words to show our utmost gratitude. On behalf of our clients and their fami- lies who use the park as a place of respite, leisure and therapy, we thank wholeheartedly Rotary Club Malta. It is voluntary gestures like these that make it possible for or- ganisations like Inspire to keep go- ing and helping," said Paula Dou- manov, Chief Services Officer at Inspire Foundation. This annual initiative organised by Rotary Club Malta reinforces the service nature of the Club provid- ing impact within the communities in which Rotarians live around the world allowing volunteers to help with their hands rather than just their wallets. Rotary Club Malta is one of over 34,000 Rotary Clubs around the world bringing together 1.2 million Rotarians in the world's largest serv- ice club. For more information log on to www.rotary.org.mt YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt