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Its not often that I post a picture of an English House Sparrow as we do not have them visiting our feeder area in New Brunswick; although they are a species present in the province.
However, while presently visiting in Montreal, I spied a few outside our window here this morning. To the upper left is a male English Sparrow and to the right is a female.
It's me old cock sparrer!
ReplyDeleteNot a common sight at all in England now, certainly not in towns , probably due to the lack of available food.
"In the 1950s, the UK house sparrow population was estimated at 9.5 million. They increased to 12 million by the early 1970s, then declined. The population crashed during the 1990s. Over 25 years the population has declined by 62%. Because of this decline in numbers, the house sparrow is now red listed as a species of high conservation concern." - RSPB
It is hard to believe that anyone wants House Sparrows, when they are such pests in much of the US. England can have them back! I live in Indiana, and would cheerfully give you both all I have. They hang with the cardinals, but they chase everything else away at the feeders. They breed much too easily. Love this blog and check it every day. I photograph birds, too, but not as professionaly.
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon your blog. I will definitely return since we have similar interests. I too am most interested in my "yard birds"and enjoy photographing them. I have a friendly competition with a friend for the most species sited this month. I am in the lead!
ReplyDeleteI am the friendly competitor of which Michele speaks....she forwarded your address to me. So interesting to see what's going on in winter in other parts of the continent. Thanks for the great photos! Laura
ReplyDeleteHi Michele,
ReplyDeleteIts nice to see another birder publishing bird lists too! And congrats on your 'leading' list. My list has become somewhat stationary for the past few weeks but come spring it will increase somewhat in numbers and variety again.
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoy visiting my blog and I am envious of the lovely little Winter Wren photo you have posted on yours. I have never seen a wren as yet, and I am still waiting the opportunity for that first sighting, and picture of one.
Well Laura, isn't friendly competition fun. I shall have to do a comparision count on mine and see if I can even come close to your lists. Thank you for your comments.
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteThose are amazing numbers regarding the decline of the English House Sparrow in England. I actually have seen very few here, and I have never seen one at our feeders. Thank you for your interesting comments.