The world outside my window is getting noisy again, and that can only mean one thing. Â Spring is around the corner. Â These little guys are chirping away every morning, flitting happily between their home under the eaves, and the magnolia tree in the garden. Â It’s a welcome sight, Â and I love waking up to their sweet happy voices as they go about their business.
The house sparrow mates for life and never goes far from home, choosing to return to the same nesting place year after year. Â This means that I get to enjoy them at close hand, as I have a nest right outside my bedroom window. Â Apparently, they use a set of postures and behaviours to communicate with each other. I wonder what this chap is trying to say! Â Come on girls I’m waiting!
I caught this one nest-building last year and thought that she had the look of a certain favourite detective of mine.
Breeding starts in may, although I’m sure my sparrows start earlier. Â They will have 3 lots of chicks, laying 3 to 5 eggs each time.
In years gone by  ‘Sparrow Pie’ was a delicacy known for its aphrodisiac properties but I can’t imagine this chap on my dinner table, even with the prospect of an added promise! I think I would much prefer to just enjoy him in his natural state.
Spring is coming…
Love Alison x
Birds are beautiful – and you remind me of that with this glorious post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankyou Christy, i always love this time of year when they start getting active.
LikeLiked by 1 person
House sparrows have naturalized here in the States, mostly in urban areas. I call them MacDonald’s birds because every franchise has its flock, lol! They are noisy, yet intrepid, threading their way between feet at outdoor tables, gleaning food.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like they aren’t quite as amusing as mine. Guess they give a different impression when in large groups.
LikeLike
Sweet shots!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankyou.
LikeLike
Wonderful story of the house sparrows announcing Spring to you. Your photos of them have so much personality.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the birds in the spring time đŸ™‚
LikeLike
AS I told one hopeful fellow, here in New England (Massachusetts) we probably have one or two rip-snorting blizzards of some variety still to go! But one has to be hopeful! I am bowled over by this fine and intimate photography–getting even the fluff in a sparrow’s beak perfectly focused! Takes great skill–even with a nest next to the window! WHAT A FASCINATING BLOG THIS IS!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankyou so much. I do enjoy watching them. Hope you manage to stay warm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh sure–got the car’s heater fixed and my wife says I’m a natural furnace! đŸ™‚ Thank you for honoring me…with a visit to my humble blog effort–come back again, please!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Because of the chickens, our garden is full of sparrows. They swoop down on the chicken feed en mass so the chickens can’t target a peck. The chickens are so funny trying to chase them off. Bet the sparrows laugh as these big dumpy guys can’t fly! We have one Sparrow Espagnol male who sits on our balconette and makes a real din. I don’t think he has a girl yet, so he is getting quite fraught. Fingers crossed for this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah did you get them already. Mine are snowed in today and the day is calling for a snowy walk.
LikeLike
Wonderful photos and it’s always nice to hear the birds singing, the beauty of nature.
~Lauren
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing nicer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No neighbours ones but they are near our house. Ours arriving in a month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah that will be fun. Nutritious too when they start to lay.
LikeLike
Can’t wait. But with all this snow the coop is still work in progress.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah hope it gets done soon. Loads of snow here too, drifts in the garden which are boot deep. Nice to be tucked up in front of a roaring stove.
LikeLike
Great post and a wonderful blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are gorgeous photos Alison. All of them are pretty but the first one is my fave.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I love waking up to them at this time of year. Spring is on its way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! Can’t wait. I need sunshine and some warmth.
LikeLiked by 1 person