The Humble Sparrow, a bird that is now on the red list. I don't recall any threads our photo's of these delicate little birds.
I took a few photo's of these often taken for granted beautiful little birds, I have a flock of about a dozen that come every day.
Thought I would share the experience of my flock with you all.
Male House Sparrows are easily recognised by their grey crowns and variably-sized black bibs but females might be more difficult. However, nearly all the other dull brown birds with thick, conical bills have streaked rather than plain underparts.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Hi Buzzard
Nice pics, thanks so much for sharing them with us.
i don't see many sparrows, and I certainly can't call them regular visitors to my garden. I remember when I used to live in Essex about 25 years ago that sparrows and starlings were almost the only birds that ever came to the garden.
Best wishes Chris
Click Here to see my photos
Thanks Woodpecker,
you are quite correct House Sparrow and Starling numbers have really declined over the last 30 years.
The British Trust for Ornithology has an Appeal Missing! - Ten Million House Sparrows
http://www.bto.org/appeals/house_sparrow.htm
The link will take you to the appeal page and also shows the regional declines across the country.
London has seen a 71% decline ( Source BBS 1994-2002 )
It is a interesting read and also a great appeal to support.
Buzzard - thanks for that link. I am lucky and have a healthy colony here, but these birds are worthy of our attention whether we have some in our garden or not. I can't tell you how much pleasure this one species gives me every day. I will be supporting the appeal and will send off a contribution.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Sparrow, it does really make you sit back and think!
10 million less House Sparrows.
Nicki C said: Hi Janet and Paul Janet: Are your feeders under cover form the weather? Who can blame you, or the feeding Sparrows, (smile} Paul: Fabulous overhead view of your Sparrows. {thumbs up} Love them and they are as cute as your first picture shows. Regards Kathy and Dave
Hi Janet and Paul
Janet: Are your feeders under cover form the weather? Who can blame you, or the feeding Sparrows, (smile}
Paul: Fabulous overhead view of your Sparrows. {thumbs up}
Love them and they are as cute as your first picture shows.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi backbird
my feeders are in the open, but are near trees.
Hey farmer, farmer, put away the D.D.T now. Give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees, please!
Its scary the decline in House Sparrows and really makes you think. I stood on the walkway the other day just watching a colony going about their business in the bushes and found it really quite distressing that this little bird could be gone if we're not careful!
There have been some lovely photos of House Sparrows in this thread - I haven't got many photos recently of my colony because believe it or not they are quite shy!
Here's a photo of two of mine in the bird bath
And one from when the weather was much nicer :o)
Hi Paul,
He is a very handsome chap. I love it when mine have a bath. One tries it out and they all come. Mine are also quite shy, but it is sudden movement and noise they don't appreciate. If you move very quietly and slowly, especially if you have a jug of food and they are expecting a refill, they will stay put long enough for a photo.
Thanks for the photos.
Buzzard - could you put your post and link on a new thread to try and gain as much attention as possible?
Wow! Lovely photos Paul E. I so love seeing photos of them bathing. Highland McHale posted some ages back on another thread and they were superb as well. Thanks for sharing yours.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Susan H said: Hi Paul, He is a very handsome chap. I love it when mine have a bath. One tries it out and they all come. Mine are also quite shy, but it is sudden movement and noise they don't appreciate. If you move very quietly and slowly, especially if you have a jug of food and they are expecting a refill, they will stay put long enough for a photo.
Hi Sparrow,
they're hilarious when they bathe is water or dust aren't they? I could watch them all day long.
This lot are ok when I'm in the garden, when I make the walk up the greenhouse to get the food they start chirrping and chattering somewhat excitedly . Its when I'm in the house they become more nervous oddly enough, if I'm in the conservatory they're not keen at all - I have to angle the blinds so they can't see me!
Sparrows have that many look outs you really have to be careful with your movements, lol!
Lovely pictures Paul. Sparrows at their happiest, in the bath.