Tree Sparrows Spring 2005

Tree Sparrows

In mid-August Jill Blackburn discovered a mixed flock of Chaffinches and Tree Sparrows, numbering about 100 birds, feeding in a recently harvested barley field below the canal at Borwick. At times there were as many as 70 Tree Sparrows in the flock.

A feeding station was established on the west side of this field on 30 Sept. using Budgie food, a mixture of small seeds like millet. This, it was hoped, would discourage larger birds like crows from eating it all. Unfortunately, Pheasants have discovered that Budgie seed is most nourishing and up to six have been feeding on it. Two feeders of different designs were hung from the hedge in the hopes that the smaller birds would use them but they did not so food has continued to be put on the ground and the Pheasants are getting fat. The ground has become very wet recently and part of the site has become flooded so that the food is now being put on the ground nearer the gate.

The maize field on the other side of the track was harvested on 1 November and a few days later Tree Sparrows, Chaffinches and other small birds were feeding in it for about 2 weeks as well as at the feeding station.

Tree Sparrows have used the site regularly. Other visitors have been up to 10 Chaffinches, 8 Dunnocks and 4 Robins. The maximum number of Tree Sparrows in each week are given in the table below.

01-02 Oct 30
03-09 Oct 40
10-16 Oct 10
17-23 Oct 1
24-30 Oct 20
31 Oct - 06 Nov 40
07-13 Nov 40
14-20 Nov 50
21-27 Nov 50
28 Nov - 04 Dec 30
05-11 Dec 20
12-18 Dec 2
19-25 Dec 15
26 Dec - 01 Jan 25
02-08 Jan 3
09-15 Jan 5
16-21 Jan 10

Two brief trapping sessions were undertaken with two mist nets set along the bridle path behind the feeding station. On the first occasion, 21 December, 33 Tree Sparrows were caught as well as 12 Dunnocks, 9 Chaffinches, 2 Robins and 1 Long-tailed Tit. One of the Tree sparrows had been ringed in March in a garden in Over Kellet, 3km away. On the second occasion in January no Tree Sparrows were caught and very few other birds but these included both Dunnocks and Robins which had been ringed during the first visit.

Tree Sparrows have been seen regularly in my garden in Over Kellet with a maximum of 11 on 17 December. I would be glad to have any records of Tree Sparrows in gardens to find out how wide-spread this habit is and to try to make an estimate of the local population which seems to be on the increase. You can give me details at the monthly meetings or by post, 57 Greenways, Over Kellet, Carnforth LA6 1DE

Andrew Cadman