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Lisa[_1_] · 05-04-2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Des Higgins

"Cat(h)" wrote in message
oups.com...

Des Higgins wrote:
"Cat(h)" wrote in message
ups.com...
That is reassuring but the numbers really have changed. In the 1960s/70s
in
Dublin suburbs, apart from starlings, you would get 20 sparrows for every
chaffinch/blue tit/great tit combined, coming to gardens to feed.
Starlings were seasonal and you would suddenly get 30 in one go and then
none for a while.

Just a question: how old is the tradition of feeding birds in gardens
in Ireland andthe UK? It seems to me to be a relatively recent (say a
handful of decades) pursuit?
Does anyone know whether it is compensating for hte loss of food
sources from fewer hedgerows, and evolving farming practices?

I did it in the 70s and my granny used to do it before that so some people
have been doing it for ages.
I suspect that it does not make up much for lost habitat etc. To really
make it count you have to do it consistently (I believe).
I suspect most people who do it, do it now and that is not enough to really
change feeding patterns.

I know it's not very on topic, but I must say it is one of the most
enjoyable parts of owning and maintaining a garden. The blackbirds
*love* foraging for worms in my mulched beds :-)

Cat(h)

We have always put out feed for the birds but this can be a very expensive hobby.All the specialist food stuff for wild birds sold in the shops are well worth it though when you can see all the varieties of birds that come into the garden.Here there are still sparrows, tits, robins and wrens so no shortage of takers for our troubles.