tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802206289996500659.post8458826891257160245..comments2024-03-27T13:34:10.184+00:00Comments on NORTH DOWNS & BEYOND: The Beddington Tree Sparrow - RIP?Steve Galehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09459545933323958452noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802206289996500659.post-74241618967196465692014-03-04T20:57:55.280+00:002014-03-04T20:57:55.280+00:00Thanks Stewart and Paul. The other problem we have...Thanks Stewart and Paul. The other problem we have here is that there isn't another Tree Sparrow colony nearby to recruit from. When the Beddington population goes (which it may already have), that really is it. Very, very, sad. Steve Galehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09459545933323958452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802206289996500659.post-91820304990158923642014-03-04T19:53:34.747+00:002014-03-04T19:53:34.747+00:00That is tragic, but sadly not surprising. Down her...That is tragic, but sadly not surprising. Down here on the Marsh the three `main` colonies (Boulderwall, Midley and St Mary-in-the-Marsh), which in total concerns probably no more than 50 pairs tops, are just about holding up, but only because of year round artificial feeding and a good supply of nest boxes. Hereabouts, I`ve noticed small colonies that have gone extinct within the last five years. It really is a tragedy that this dapper little sparrow has one foot on a gravestone and the other on a bar of soap, so`s to speak. Grey Partridge, Turtle Dove and Corn Bunting aren`t far behind either, closely followed by Lapwing, Barn Owl and Yellowhammer. The future is not bright for most of our farmland birds, and I can`t see any change in the near future as farmers come under more pressure to feed an over populated human world. Heavy stuff...Paul Troddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03532050770282573211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8802206289996500659.post-10638024779943583112014-03-04T19:25:09.376+00:002014-03-04T19:25:09.376+00:00Very interesting, and sad Steve. Tree Spug is my g...Very interesting, and sad Steve. Tree Spug is my garden iconic bird too (!). When we came in 2009 we had 4 visit during the winter. I stuck up a few boxes and feed seed all year round and now have up to 30 all year and maybe 4 or 5 pairs breed. If I had the time and gear I would knock up more boxes for them, but at least my little colony seems stable enough...Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01985665182124985194noreply@blogger.com