Crows

That's cute! We have a pair of native NZ tuis fly in for a sip or two of nectar from the big kowhai tree that hangs over our back fence. Always a huge thrill to see them. Used to get little native fantails catching insects on the lemon tree, but haven't seen any for a while. Plenty of sparrows feeding daily on our birdhouse table, & sipping on the water in a new birdbath .... the bigger birds will probably splash about in it, once our spring weather begins to heat up. It's wonderful to sit & watch birds in the garden.

Hello Dwyllis, Your bird life sounds truly amazing as does the names of your trees.
Although I live in UK many of our bird species seem to be getting fewer and fewer.
I have not myself seem a sparrow for about ten years now and only one starling in as many years.
There does however seem to be a massive increase in the number of wood pigeons that visit my back garden.
Like you I will never tire of watching the birds in the garden. The wild life visitors are what makes gardening so rewarding.

Wow .... no sparrows! Where did they all go to? I lived for some years in England, & I remember sparrows in the garden then .... returned to live in NZ late 1998. They are a common little bird, but quite lovable ... funny to watch their antics when they are feeding. We sit in the sunporch with a glass of wine in the evening, & watch them. When the pair of tuis put in an appearance, that is just such a special treat, as they usually keep to native bush areas, but they can't resist that sweet nectar of the kowhai tree. We have starlings here, but I must admit, we don't see them very often in the garden. Blackbirds, thrushes & sparrows are our main guests. The fantails are always a delight to watch, as they will literally flit about as if they are dancing, & they will actually tease cats by doing it right over their heads within paw-swiping distance. Our Maoris consider it bad luck to have a fantail enter the house, but I think they are just the cutest little bird ever.

Sadly there is a demise in a lot of our British Species. Must be to do with different ways of farming and so many hedgerows dug up. The in thing for many house holders seem to be: Front Garden-Dig it up and concrete for drive;
Back garden- Decking leading onto patio; House-Add the biggest conservatory you can afford.
Only today I asked a friend if they had any house sparrows where they live and they said they would not know a sparrow if they saw one. How sad . So many take nature for granted. Last time I saw a house martins nest was 1969. It was being knocked down because some one said the bird muck was making the windows dirty