Sparrrows

[watervole]

Why are sparrows so much a part of our national psyche?

They are far from the prettiest birds to visit my garden. It could easily be argued that pidgeons (not feral ones) are far more attractive visually. But sparrows have character. They're never still; they're always alert, gregarious. They're flock birds, and thus, I think we see a little of ourselves in them.

When I'm washing dishes in the kitchen, I can see the flock that currently hang out in our hedge. Pyracantha is popular with sparrows: it has thorns to discourage cats and berries to eat in winter. In addition, it is only a few feet away from the bird-table where there is a regular supply of sunflower seeds and high-quality bird-seed.

I have a strong suspicion that the only time they leave us in winter is to vist a garden three doors away from us, which also has a proper hedge. If I'm in an upstairs room, I can watch the flock commuting.

They hang around, preening, squabbling, nicking berries from my hedge. My life would be immesurably poorer without them.

Comments

[kerravonsen]

I like watching sparrows as I wait at the bus stop in the evening. They hop about the pavement, picking at things, perch on the store signs or sit in the trees. As you say, never still.

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I get sparrows in my garden. After the so-and-so squirrels, the bluetits are the most frequent visitors to the bird feeder. Magpies hop about underneath waiting for the squirrels and bluetits to drop bits of nuts. Occasional pigeons, robins and mistle thrushes. And more squirrels. I thought there were two, but I saw three at once last week.