The first step was to ensure that there was good mixed seed in feeders in my garden for
365 days a year. The second step was to put up a few suitable nest boxes in an effort to encourage them to breed here. The third step was to fence off a number of areas in our pony paddock & plant a few dozen native trees including Scots Pine, Willow, Birch ( Downy & Silver ), Rowan, Blackthorn, Hazel, Holly, Aspen, Crab Apple, Spindle, Dogwood, Broom, Gorse, Guelder & Dog Rose to provide cover & suitable habitat for insects to thrive. The only other consideration was water, but with a small stream running right down the side of the paddock & horse drinkers always to hand, that was also taken care of.
In 2014 my first pair of
Tree Sparrows nested in a box on a Hawthorn tree at the lower end of the garden. For the next 4 years their numbers increased to fill the 5 boxes I had up, but I had nowhere else to fit any additional nest boxes so, if I was ever to increase the numbers, I needed more nest sites, so in the Spring of 2019 I took a chance & constructed 14 new boxes fitted with a false roof & false walls, installed 8' posts in amongst my sheltered corners & fitted the boxes to those posts. To my delight I had my best season yet with nine pairs of
Tree Sparrows successfully nesting, mostly in my new 'post' boxes.
In the Autumn I cleaned out the boxes & placed a little fresh Hay in each & as a bonus, I now have a few pairs of
Tree Sparrows using the boxes for their Winter roost.
Here are a few websites which will help you learn more about Tree Sparrows and the wildlife in my garden:
#1 -
Nest Box Plans#2 -
RSPB: Tree Sparrows #3 -
RSPB: Operation Tree Sparrow#4 - Facebook: Save Our Songbirds#5 -
The Wildlife Trusts: Tree Sparrows#6 - YouTube Playlist: My Wildlife Videos#7 - Facebook: Garden Wildlife of Ireland#8 - RSPB: Tree Sparrow advice for Farmers#9 -
Vine House Farm: Tree Sparrow success story#10 -
YouTube Playlist: Tree Sparrows in my north Antrim Garden#11 - Vimeo: Tree Sparrows feeding young at Nest Box in my garden.