After my post here about offering a very good bird resort for Tuis with full facilities on offer, I discover that my hospitality has been extending further.
The local sparrows who visit the garden in large numbers, some of whom are nesting in under the roof corrugations have been enjoying the” greens” I have growing in three tubs as well as the bread crumbs and titbits I toss out for them.
Pictured above: Male Sparrow (An introduced bird to New Zealand)
I had noticed sparrows pecking at the old silverbeet plants during the winter months and it would appear that they are even more partial to fresh new silverbeet and lettuce plants. The new plants have been pecked down rather dramatically.
Mother sparrows have obviously taught their children well about eating what is good for them before any treats are on offer.
There is no sign of slugs or snails and the size of some of the discarded plucked pieces would indicate something with more strength than a katydid has chomped on the leaves. If only the sparrows would eat the bounty of weeds, puha and dandelions that I have such an abundance of right now.
I have placed netting over the tubs in the hope that the poor plants will revive and provide us with fresh, organic greens.
ordinarygoodness 
Love the scope with the tiny bird~
Thanks Cindy. I needed to have put a caption on the photo to say it is a male Sparrow. They are such a common bird here that we take them for granted. They were introduced to New Zealand by the immigrants from United Kingdom and have thrived here. They are no threat to our native birds or small creatures but definitely to my seedlings….grrrr:-)
Oh dear, it sounds as if the lettuces might be the ‘treats’ rather than the greens!
Silverbeet for dinner and sweet new lettuce for a treat perhaps Jo? My netting is keeping them off now thank goodness.
Oh what little rascals. They certainly know how to select the most delicious food in the garden.
Biting the hand that feeds them……
Exactly.
I have a similar problem with possums – anything I plant, they love! I’ve developed hitherto hidden carpentry skills making frames over which to stretch netting to protect my vegies – which is fine, except it’s such a pain having to unhook and peel off the netting just to get a couple of lettuce leaves or silverbeet for a salad … One of the lesser joys of gardening! 🙂
Well done on the carpentry skills. I sometimes use empty plastic bottles over new seedlings to protect them from the weather so maybe that is another option for me to keep the pesky sparrows from eating our food. Possums and wekas are blighters at wreaking havoc with vegie gardens.
Cute but annoying! I hope they’ll leave your greens alone now that you’ve put up the covering and you’ll get a good harvest!
Yes they are cute and smart. The netting is working so far!
How annoying, especially when you are offering alternatives. I didn’t realise that sparrows could eat lettuces and silver beet. Let’s hope the netting keeps them away.
They are cunning wee things Juliet. I don’t think I have observed this before. The netting is working so far.