Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/899902
maltatoday SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2017 39 Travel Birds don't just wander the world haphazardly. Even those that make mega migrations still follow a general route that is passed on from generation to generation. But for reasons that are not always explained, birds sometimes do turn up in regions where they don't usually occur. One such occasion was last week when this brown bird with a rather hooked beak and dark mask across its eye turned up in an area in the south of Malta: incredibly, a brown shrike. Incredibly, because the normal range of the brown shrike (kaċċamendula tal-Asja) is central Asia all the way to the Far East. Just how this bird turned up on a Central Mediterranean island is hard to explain. Birds do at times extend their range to cover new territory but it takes more than one occurrence to confirm an actual trend. So for now that lone brown bird remains a mystery, which in no way diminished the joy of those who spotted, photographed and enjoyed this latest addition to the birds of Malta. Text Victor Falzon Photo Aron Tanti 583. BROWN SHRIKE 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 GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 486: Here is a favourite, simple recipe that stars pumpkin! https://foemalta.org/fab/food/veggies/pumpkin/ What vegetable is more emblematic of this period of the year than the mighty pumpkin? The clocks turning back last weekend and Halloween decorations all around herald the start of the darker period of the year, in which we love to spend more time cosy indoors, as well as enjoying the beautifully green Maltese countryside on winter walks. Did you know that it was not always carved pumpkins that were used as the Jack o' Lanterns we now associate with Halloween? In Ireland, where the tradition originates, they originally used turnips. However, when the pumpkin was introduced from the Americas this vegetable was deemed a much better fit for the purpose, as it easier to hollow out and carve. If you decide to try your hand at carving a pumpkin, don't forget to make good use of the leftovers by using the pumpkin meat to make pumpkin puree (which can be used in sauces, (pan) cakes or even smoothies and seasonal hot drinks), and cleaning and roasting the seeds. Last month we published the AgroKatina report about the local fruit & vegetable supply chain, and the pocket guide highlighting when local fruits & veggies are in season. Find out more on www. foemalta.org/agrokatina, where you can also order a free copy of the pocket guide. What's in season - November BEST SPOT FOR SHOPPING Crown Street is your best bet as there are loads of outlets from outdoor shops to su- permarkets to clothes shops. There are also some pretty good places to stop and grab a bite to eat or a coffee mid-retail therapy session. There's also a food market every Thursday evening (weather permitting), which fea- tures a large variety of cuisines and is a good way to spend a Thursday evening with friends. If you want something slightly trendier, you can hop onto a train and head to Bondi Beach in Sydney on a Sunday morning and check out Bondi Market. (Pro tip; public transport on Sundays costs $2.60 for the whole trip, so save your far flung adventures for Sundays). BEST PLACE TO EAT There are loads of good restaurants, bars and what not in Wollongong but my number one would have to be Il Pozzo cafe. It's situated right across the road from North Wollongong station. They offer a wide range of sandwiches, snack packs (halal meat with chips and sauces), burgers etc and even cater for gluten free and vegan diets on request. Plus, it's run by a Maltese lady and her Aussie husband so you can always go there when you need your Maltese lingo fix and some Maltese treats. Pro tip; ask for a Nutella frappe and Ingrid's homemade almond cookies (biskut- tini tal-lewz). Honourable mention: Fatboy Grill and Pide opposite the hotel Illa- warra. Ask for a beef snack pack with cheese, garlic sauce and BBQ sauce.