tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post3895222200577256100..comments2024-03-29T08:25:42.543+00:00Comments on Of Esox & observations : Greenfinch blingDylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-1593081068068196922021-01-28T13:24:19.659+00:002021-01-28T13:24:19.659+00:00I am extremely fortunate to live in a semi-rural s...I am extremely fortunate to live in a semi-rural setting with several of the adjacent fields having been left as stubble for the entire winter period. When you add to this the fact that many of my neighbours also have garden feeding stations, it becomes a bit clearer as to why the local House Sparrows find the area so attractive when the weather is on the harsh side. <br />I'm conducting my RSPB "Big Garden Birdwatch" tomorrow morning and it will be interesting to the peak numbers at the feeders, rather than "around" the garden? Take care - DylDylan Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-77229987983545146682021-01-28T08:57:35.043+00:002021-01-28T08:57:35.043+00:00I can hear the noise of 100 sparrows in my minds e...I can hear the noise of 100 sparrows in my minds ear, Dyl! Brilliant! Thankfully there are a few in our neighbourhood, but nothing like that many. When we lived in Seaton the hedge along the back of our garden hosted a regular gang of 15-30 birds, but that hedge has since been grabbed up and replaced with a wooden fence. Hopefully the sparrows found another hang-out.<br /><br />As a child I remember them nesting in our roof in Kenton, NW London. And Ric, as kids I remember us catching them on your lawn with a simple little trap!<br /><br />It's sad to see them in decline...Gavin Haighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-86201224844160125912021-01-27T22:16:44.571+00:002021-01-27T22:16:44.571+00:00House Sparrows Ric? A very strange situation indee...House Sparrows Ric? A very strange situation indeed. My brothers Tim, just outside Hemel Hempstead, and Sye near Aylesbury, don't see them in their gardens either. As a kid, growing up in Hemel Hempstead they were as common as you like! Quite why there are huge tracts of suburbia where House Sparrows are now absent is a puzzle which I have no clue as to the answer. To be honest the population to a bit of dip, here on Thanet, yet these passed two breeding seasons has seen numbers surge once again.<br />Cheers for the comment - stay safe - Dyl Dylan Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-23890525461280011802021-01-27T03:38:59.741+00:002021-01-27T03:38:59.741+00:00Hi Dyl, good news on the Greenfinches. Nice to see...Hi Dyl, good news on the Greenfinches. Nice to see a recovery of sorts. I see them about myself though I've yet to get one on my feeders.<br /><br />House Sparrows? I wish. They are so scarce now where I live that I stop and wonder when I come across them. Fifty years ago it was ludicrous to think that one day I'd be lucky to see one at all. They were once so common.<br />Indeed. I can now say that in year in a suburban garden in London I've recorded Firecrest on more days (2) than House Sparrows (1) Madness!Richttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02714117508358025668noreply@blogger.com