by Shelley Fowler
Several months ago I read an article about the fact that the number of sparrows flitting through the air is declining. It seems our little feathered friends are being pushed aside and starved out by bigger and more aggressive birds (think Asian collared doves) whose populations are increasing. I had noticed even before I read the story that I was seeing fewer sparrows as I traveled the northwestern part of the state. And I was aware that I wasn’t often hearing their chirping song. Thus, I was dismayed to think that our most common avian buddy, the little brown sparrow, was possibly on its way to becoming like the dodo bird….extinct!
Well, I’m happy to report that the number of quite vocal, fleet-winged and feisty sparrows is not decreasing, but rapidly increasing…in my backyard! About a month ago I began putting out birdseed, hoping to attract the bird we most take for granted, the bird that has always flown across our field of vision, the bird that is more ordinary than most. At that time, the sparrows rarely stopped by for a bite, but the food attracted – in great numbers, I might add – the cooing, soft-gray doves. They constantly descended upon the ground, talking and bobbing their heads as they scarfed up every available morsel and sunflower seed. Knowing that they are God’s oft-hungry creatures just like the little brown sparrow, I didn’t shoo away the doves; I just increased the volume of seeds. And it was then that I began to hear that twitter, that tweet, that familiar lilting chirp that heralded the arrival of a small flock of the common sparrow. They were skittish and shy when it came to competing with the doves and I wondered if their fewness in number was a sign that the article was correct. A couple of days ago, when the temperature was warm enough to thaw the ice in the bird bath as well as in the garden hose, I decided to water some of the backyard’s pine trees. I left the water running and went in the house to do some chores. About an hour later I looked out the kitchen window and was astonished by the sight I beheld.There were approximately thirty doves pecking the earth for strewn seeds, hopping up and down when they had something to say to the dove next to them. Their actions were comical and I was glad to see them enjoying themselves. But even more than that, I was delighted by the large number of sparrows who frolicked in the newly-made pond of water and flitted from feeders to tree branches and back again! In places it seemed as though the ground was actually alive, since there were so many little brown bodies crowded together eating the birdseed. I just stood there and watched the party taking place beyond the window. A party that lasted until the food was all gone. As I went outside to turn off the water – and put out more birdseed, of course – I was greeted with trees filled to overflowing with cooing and twittering voices. It felt like they were each saying, “Thank you”, so I answered them with a hearty, “You’re welcome!” It is now, when the ground is cold, natural food is scarce and ponds or lakes are frozen, that we need to remember all our avian friends and help them survive Winter by filling their hungry tummies with birdseed and fresh water. It is written that God knows when even a sparrow falls, so I imagine that He is thankful when they are held aloft by the nourishment that comes from our hands! And what is our reward for sustaining the life of each little winged creature? Well, it is quite simple and sweet – it is hearing their joyful song of life!
