Do we care about the common house sparrow whose numbers have drastically dwindled let alone make space for them in our homes?
The sparrow can hardly find a nesting spot in our modern flats unlike the ventilators of old bungalows or a cosy nook in a home garden.
Today, they are bombarded by industrial pollution, chemical pesticides and more recently the threat of electromagnetic radiation from mobile towers and phones which affect the breeding of sparrows.
Any wonder that we now have to draw attention to their plight by declaring a World House Sparrow Day?
Lesson to learn
If only we could learn from the example set by the Mehtas who have dedicated a balcony of their fifth floor apartment in a residential locality of Hyderabad to simply let sparrows be.
Taking a stand that these little creatures need the extra care and security, the Mehtas have purchased weak and sick sparrows and rehabilitated them in their sparrow-friendly balcony – with earthen pots on the wall that serve as nests, water, potted plants of curry leaf, lemon grass and aloe vera that the sparrows love to nibble, bird feed, small tree branches and even some play equipment like pieces of string and suspended wooden bars that serve as swings!
“No denying that we have to spend some time feeding, cleaning and nursing these delicate birds but all that is abundantly compensated with the chirping that we wake up to each morning besides an amazing display of interesting sparrow behaviour.
For instance nest building, cleaning of their living space, caring for their young, eating in groups, self grooming can engage one for hours on end and teach us humans a thing or two about living in harmony,” say the Mehtas.
More than celebrating World House Sparrow Day (WHSD) on March 20, it is our year long concern for these energetic birds that can ensure their survival.
One can start by placing a small wooden nest box on the balcony, placing a container of water especially during the summer months, scattering food grains and making sure nests and eggs of these birds are secure.
House sparrows are one of the few birds that choose to live in thevicinity of humans, lets give them reason to continue to do so!
To collect a free nest box and to donate wood scrap for making these boxes, contact 27543560 during office hours.
