It was world sparrow day and we are so blessed to have them around our home.
When we moved into our house, there were places in the colony where sparrows congregated. Early morning, in a particular bush the ruckus they made was unbelievable. There would be more than a hundred sparrows roosting in it. Their ‘chirps’ were music to the ears.
As I used to stroll in the colony, one saw people feeding them. Some spread Bajra, some would break Roti into small pieces, some would place water in bowls for them. Many times the water bowl would be bone dry. The birds used to return, just to check if their bowls had been refilled. Some people had also kept bird feeders, but alas sans the grains.
This gave us an idea that we could start feeding them at home. This would attract many types of birds, and bring life to our little garden which we had just started afresh.
Both winters and summers are extremes here in the ‘Suncity’. More than us the birds were very well acclimatized to the weather. We decided to start off with a hope that the birds would like our efforts and appreciate it by frequenting it.
I bought a hanging terracotta pot from a potter. He affixed some wire and made it fit to hang. Our Champa tree had a dry branch and we hung that pot. The ‘choice of grain’ was next on our agenda.
At our local ‘kiryana’ shop there were so many kinds of grains available. We requested him to mix 100gms of ten different types of grains. Thinking that the variety would be a hit with the birds. We put a handful in that feeder and waited. There were no takers.
Sometimes one ‘over does’ things. Birds need space. They get scared if someone keeps watching over the feeder all the time. Worst, if he has a camera in hand. Moment the lens would cast a reflection, they all used to ‘furrrrrr’. We learnt that lesson in the first week itself.
Now there was grain, what do we do about the water? So, we kept an old lid of an earthen pitcher. It was shallow with some water. Besides, if two sparrows came and sat on it, it would topple over. It was time to get another earthen bowl for water.
Sparrows were very choosy in picking grains. Out of ten varieties, they ate only bajra and left the rest. Some doves and weaver birds also came but they too did not like our menu. It was time to change what we were trying to feed them.
On our next visit, we asked the grocer what is fed to the birds. They call it “chiriya dana”. It is basically sieved bajra grains or the ones which are segregated from the ‘good grains.’ The moment we served that; it became a hit. Sparrows started flocking at the grain feeder. Water was used both for drinking and taking a dip. Success!
Bird activity increased in and around our feeders. We were happy and so were the birds.
Today, while I was watching them ‘feed and fight’, we started spreading a handful of bajra on the road. They like to pick it up from there and return to their feeder only in the afternoons. It is natural for birds to forage on the ground. This morning,
‘Chidda and Chidiya’ are busy making love and building their nests also. That meant they would have laid their eggs. We have a few ‘Ficus’ bushes in our common garden which they use for nestling. It was time to explore.
While the parents were busy at our feeders, I peeped into two bushes. One had a freshly emerged chick and an egg and the other one had two spotted eggs. Without wasting any time, a quick snap and off I moved. No bird or chick was harmed in the process.
The tactical sighting of the nest intrigued me. Though predatory birds like the Drongos and Shikras are always on the prowl, they have not been able to spot these nests because they are very close to the common walkway.
I returned home quite satisfied with my effort of filming some rare moments which generally are not seen commonly. It was time to download and pen down my thoughts.
Sparrows have almost vanished from urban areas. However, with a little effort they are having a good time with us. We do not need to give them artificial bird houses to nest as they find enough shade and cover in the bushes around. We wish them luck, may they grow and multiply.
You tube link to photos……….https://youtu.be/IMhWWNNHA_c
Were the parent sparrows offended? I wonder!!!!!!!
JAI HIND
© ® NOEL ELLIS
Great writing
ReplyDeleteThank you
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