SOME SPARROWS AND TIPS FOR COPING WITH LOCKDOWN

 

I'm standing on the pavement, and then all at once I'm not. I am in the hedge- or at least my brain is- surrounded by glinting black eyes, brown-capped heads and loud annoyed cheeps. House Sparrows.

A whole flock of them! They're on the conservation red list following a severe population decline; but it's hard to believe that when you're standing next to a hedge full to bursting of these cheeky little birds. They move as one, a flickering mass, somehow managing to silence the cacophony at one precise moment when I edge slightly too close.

There are two places like this near me: one, the one I have been talking about, is at the front of a large block of flats by a busy road; the other is next to a school that is no longer used. It is amazing how wildlife can thrive in these urban places and in the face of such litter and pollution.

To end this post, I am going to make a list of things to do if you are bored senseless in lockdown.

1. https://5f81fc7ae2a91.site123.me/ This is a blog called Nature's Young Voice and it is definitely worth checking out!

2. http://box2011.temp.domains/~hattiesk/ Another blog- called Hattie Skylark. It is another great source of inspiration.

3. https://www.sewsustainableuk.com/ This is a shop ran by a 16 year old girl. As well as selling homemade items, she also stocks other items. 

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2YXRazll4Y A live birdfeeder cam from Arne RSPB reserve in Dorset. The feeders are always busy- and there are occasional woodpeckers, squirrels and even jackdaws!

5. WinterWatch was live yesterday! If you haven't watched it, it is the winter version of SpringWatch hosted by Chris Packham, Iolo Williams, Gillian Burke and Michaela Strattan.

Hope you have enjoyed reading about the sparrows. If you do check out the blogs, please drop a comment because, trust me, we all need some encouragement. See you next time for a poem on Redwings! :-D