Forum Topic

Sparrows

Much in the news about LACK or disappearance of these cheeky little birds.  I am happy to say they are thriving and have increased this summer - at least in my garden.  Also golden finches having a lovely time eating the echinops (spelling!?)  Cleodendron berries have been found by pigeons - to my disgust, hopefully they will leave some for the black birds.  Actually the tiny branches are too small to really take the weight of the pigeons, but so far no damage done.

Lois Westby ● 6814d8 Comments

Loved that picture Jim! Reminded me how very friendly and unafraid of humans, English robins are.    We have robins here on the Oregon coast but they are much larger than their English cousins, and not inclined to sit on a branch and carry out a "conversation" with me.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6806d

Thanks Jim,....very sweet.  I see luckily that she was neither offered nor accepted a worm or whatever! ;-)I don't like the sudden invasion of Magpies.  I suppose they are after the young sparrows, or do they only eat the very tiny just hatched birds?

Lois Westby ● 6806d

Not sparrows..but I thought Lois would like this image from cyberspace.

Jim Lawes ● 6807d

Have been fascinated to watch the pigeons in the Cleodendron tree.  They are too heavy for the tiny branches and looking at them from the upstairs room they look like bathers jumping up and down in the surf(leaves)......arms(wings) flapping madly to keep above the water while they drop beneath the waves(huge leaves)  I fear much damage is being done!  The berries are loved by the black birds, but will any be allowed to survive?  It is such a beautiful bush/tree that I hope that some of these birds will 'spread' it around the neighbourhood!  I can't think of any other plant that goes through so many changes in its short life starting with the cluster of sweet smelling white star-like flowers, going on to crimson ones (dropping the white) that open up to show the deep deep green into black berries.  It started as a cutting from a farm yard....and I haven't been able to get another to grow!

Lois Westby ● 6813d

Certainly the dear Sparrows are more plentiful this year, but what we do see more than we have ever done is Robins, trying to keep our youngest marauding moggy off where we feed the birds is proving to be a battle of wits.

Vanessa Smith ● 6814d

But thankfully Lois..there are lots in cyberspace!

Jim Lawes ● 6814d

Hello LoisThe magpies rule my garden.  The sparrows are sorely missed.

Jim Lawes ● 6814d

We have plenty of Sparrows in our garden which I guess is down to having a feeder for them in the one iof the trees.Use to have two regular Wood Pidgeons as well but the cat next door caught one!! and also some Starlings and Blackbirds pay a visit.

Paul Fisher ● 6814d