Sparrow Plague in Mathry.

Yep agree with Roger, I havenot seen a Blackbird for some time probably due to the drought, although they were raising young here earlier in the year. What I do see here in Mathry, is literally hundreds of House Sparrows! At least three pairs breed in the eaves of our house and seem to raise young throughout the year. They also congregate in a large sycamore clearly visible from our bedroom window, about two hundred metres away. As i say, maybe a couple of hundred of them, or more. We have been getting through 25 kilo's of sunflower hearts a month, so not only are we giving them a place to stay but also full board and lodgings! I should point out all our feeders are thoroughly cleaned regularly. We also supply fresh water every day in a clean container. We have recently started feeding them only every two days not every day, to encourage them to find food elsewhere. Green Finches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Blue and Great Tits along with occasional G.S. Woodpeckers, also take advantage of our largesse. Collared Doves, Dunnocks and Robins clear up whatever drops to the ground before any rats can also take advantage. We are surrounded by green/now sun baked brown desert that offers little natural food. And so despite the warnings of so called experts, will continue to supplement the diets of our visiting and resident avifauna and would encourage others to do so with the proviso that they use hanging feeders NOT bird tables, and thoroughly clean feeders before refilling. Our garden is small but full of insect friendly plants and trees, so these also provide more natural food. As for the pesky Sparrows, if anyone wants to catch a few dozen and transport them to places where they are scarce, I would have no objection, as they have destroyed or usurped all of our local House Martins nests!