next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects
Index of Subjects
------=_NextPart_000_0064_01D12626.E6CAD400
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
-Chris Kennedy in Dartmouth said,
=20
=E2=80=9CWith all this talk of House Sparrows, I thought I'd mention =
something I noticed this summer while in Toronto, then Philadelphia. In =
both of those cities, I noticed the House Sparrows were more abundant =
than starlings nearly everywhere I went. I could not hypothesize why =
this would be... perhaps someone here knows?=E2=80=9D
=20
=20
I was curious about that so I checked the year-to-date eBird bar charts =
for those two species. It was probably more about the neighbourhoods you =
were in. Click on the Totals tab for each of these charts to see the =
totals for the last 5 years charted for TO and Philly. However the data =
does show that House Sparrows are doing much better in those cities than =
here and in their native Europe. I also charted them in London where the =
ratio of the 2 species was similar to Halifax and I believe their =
decline in all of Europe is similar to ours.
=20
Toronto (starlings outnumber house sparrows except for Jan and Feb and =
they significantly outnumber them for most of the summer)
http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=3DchangeDate =
<http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=3DchangeDate&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2C=
eursta&getLocations=3Dcounties&counties=3DCA-ON-TO&parentState=3DCA-ON&re=
portType=3Dspecies&monthRadio=3Don&bMonth=3D01&eMonth=3D12&bYear=3D2010&e=
Year=3D2015&continue.x=3D40&continue.y=3D11> =
&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceursta&getLocations=3Dcounties&counties=3DCA-ON-=
TO&parentState=3DCA-ON&reportType=3Dspecies&monthRadio=3Don&bMonth=3D01&e=
Month=3D12&bYear=3D2010&eYear=3D2015&continue.x=3D40&continue.y=3D11
=20
=20
Philadelphia (they both report similarly low numbers in June and July =
but starlings significantly outnumber house sparrows the rest of year =
(except for mid Feb )
http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices =
<http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices&getLocations=3Dcountie=
s&parentState=3DUS-PA&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceursta&bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D=
2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&reportType=3Dspecies&counties=3DUS-PA-101&c=
ontinue.x=3D45&continue.y=3D11> =
&getLocations=3Dcounties&parentState=3DUS-PA&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceurs=
ta&bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&reportType=3Dspecies=
&counties=3DUS-PA-101&continue.x=3D45&continue.y=3D11
=20
For comparison I checked Halifax as well (as we know, starlings =
greatly++ out number house sparrows throughout the year)
http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices =
<http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices&getLocations=3Dcountie=
s&parentState=3DCA-NS&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceursta&bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D=
2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&reportType=3Dspecies&counties=3DCA-NS-HL&co=
ntinue.x=3D65&continue.y=3D11> =
&getLocations=3Dcounties&parentState=3DCA-NS&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceurs=
ta&bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&reportType=3Dspecies=
&counties=3DCA-NS-HL&continue.x=3D65&continue.y=3D11
=20
London, UK shows a similar ratio as Halifax.
http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices =
<http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices&getLocations=3Dcountie=
s&parentState=3DGB-ENG&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceursta&bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D=
2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&reportType=3Dspecies&counties=3DGB-ENG-LND&=
continue.x=3D52&continue.y=3D13> =
&getLocations=3Dcounties&parentState=3DGB-ENG&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceur=
sta&bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&reportType=3Dspecie=
s&counties=3DGB-ENG-LND&continue.x=3D52&continue.y=3D13
=20
Unfortunately there is insufficient data in eBird to compare 5 year =
periods from decades ago to show they are trending.
=20
Keith Lowe
=20
=20
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca =
[mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of chris kennedy
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2015 7:06 AM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] sparrows
=20
With all this talk of House Sparrows, I thought I'd mention something I =
noticed this summer while in Toronto, then Philadelphia. In both of =
those cities, I noticed the House Sparrows were more abundant than =
starlings nearly everywhere I went. I could not hypothesize why this =
would be... perhaps someone here knows?
=20
-Chris Kennedy in Dartmouth
=20
On Sat, Nov 21, 2015 at 12:15 PM, rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca =
<mailto:rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca> <rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca =
<mailto:rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca> > wrote:
One thing not mentioned in the discussion Lance was the use of=20
road salt. It very effectively wiped out the Hungarian Partridge on PEI.
They went from plentiful to rare in a few years after salt came into =
use.
They would get gravel for grit along the road and pick up salt.
The same may have happened to House Sparrows also - come to think of
it rats - the Norway kind - have had an unlamented decline also.=20
All 3 species are of the invasive kind. The history of most invasive =
species is=20
that they thrive for a time and then die down.
Enjoy the November rain
Paul=20
On November 20, 2015 at 11:26 AM "Laviolette, Lance" =
<lance.laviolette@lmco.com <mailto:lance.laviolette@lmco.com> > wrote:=20
Hi Peter,
=20
There are undoubtedly a number of factors contributing to the decline of =
House Sparrows. However one factor which has been pointed out by studies =
in the UK is a reduction in the abundance of insects for nestlings. =
Whatever the cause in the decline in insect numbers (pesticides, =
predators, climate change, etc.), the hypothesis goes that less insects =
mean less protein for the young which results in less healthy young =
fledging from the nest. These less fit birds don=E2=80=99t survive very =
well in harsher, winter conditions.=20
=20
The reason European Starlings are not declining may be attributed to =
their diet also. From the Birds of North America accounts:
=20
House Sparrow - Insects and other arthropods during breeding season.
European Starling - Extremely diverse diet that varies geographically, =
with the age of individuals, and with season. Unusual abundances of food =
items=E2=80=A6 garbage, livestock feed, etc. are also exploited.
=20
The diverse diet of starlings gives them a big edge when trying to =
survive and fledge healthy young in areas where no one food type is =
sufficient by itself.
=20
As Paul mentioned, House Sparrows used to be seen closely associated =
with cows and horses and they still are. However most of the large =
animal operations have now been replaced with intensive agricultural =
crop raising farms. I=E2=80=99d call the resulting corn and soya fields =
deserts compared to the diversity rich pastures and =
=E2=80=98wild=E2=80=99 hay fields that used to be common even 20 years =
ago except deserts are much richer in diversity. House Sparrows have =
gone from being abundant and wide-spread to being locally common over =
that time. In my area in summer they are now focused almost exclusively =
around the few horse stabling operations that we have. In winter they =
show up at my feeders.
=20
All the best,
=20
Lance
=20
Lance Laviolette
Glen Robertson, Ontario
=20
=20
=20
From: <mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca> =
naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto: =
<mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca> naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On =
Behalf Of <mailto:Hubcove@aol.com> Hubcove@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 5:57 PM
To: <mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: EXTERNAL: [NatureNS] sparrows
=20
In Halifax today and a friend was wondering why sparrows have virtually =
disappeared in the city. While starlings are obviously flourishing. =
Wondered whether anyone had the answer.
Peter Stow=20
Hubbards
=20
=20
------=_NextPart_000_0064_01D12626.E6CAD400
Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<html xmlns:v=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" =
xmlns:o=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" =
xmlns:w=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" =
xmlns:m=3D"http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" =
xmlns=3D"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta =
http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; charset=3Dutf-8"><meta =
name=3DGenerator content=3D"Microsoft Word 15 (filtered =
medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Batang;
panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"\@Batang";
panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:#1F497D;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext=3D"edit" spidmax=3D"1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext=3D"edit">
<o:idmap v:ext=3D"edit" data=3D"1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=3DEN-CA link=3Dblue =
vlink=3Dpurple><div class=3DWordSection1><p class=3DMsoNormal>-Chris =
Kennedy in Dartmouth said,<o:p></o:p></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>=E2=80=9CWith all this talk of House Sparrows, I =
thought I'd mention something I noticed this summer while in Toronto, =
then Philadelphia. In both of those cities, I noticed the House Sparrows =
were more abundant than starlings nearly everywhere I went. I could not =
hypothesize why this would be... perhaps someone here =
knows?=E2=80=9D<o:p></o:p></p><div =
style=3D'mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid =
windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm'><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'border:none;padding:0cm'><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>I was curious about that so I checked the =
year-to-date eBird bar charts for those two species. It was probably =
more about the neighbourhoods you were in. Click on the Totals tab for =
each of these charts to see the totals for the last 5 years charted for =
TO and Philly. However the data does show that House Sparrows are doing =
much better in those cities than here and in their native Europe. I also =
charted them in London where the ratio of the 2 species was similar to =
Halifax and I believe their decline in all of Europe is similar to =
ours.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><b><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Toronto </span></b><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>(starlings outnumber house sparrows except =
for Jan and Feb and they significantly outnumber them for most of the =
summer)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a =
href=3D"http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=3DchangeDate&speciesCodes=3D=
houspa%2Ceursta&getLocations=3Dcounties&counties=3DCA-ON-TO&p=
arentState=3DCA-ON&reportType=3Dspecies&monthRadio=3Don&bMont=
h=3D01&eMonth=3D12&bYear=3D2010&eYear=3D2015&continue.x=3D=
40&continue.y=3D11">http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=3DchangeDate&a=
mp;speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceursta&getLocations=3Dcounties&countie=
s=3DCA-ON-TO&parentState=3DCA-ON&reportType=3Dspecies&monthRa=
dio=3Don&bMonth=3D01&eMonth=3D12&bYear=3D2010&eYear=3D201=
5&continue.x=3D40&continue.y=3D11</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><b><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Philadelphia</span></b><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> (they both report similarly low numbers in =
June and July but starlings significantly=C2=A0 outnumber house sparrows =
the rest of year (except for mid Feb )<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a =
href=3D"http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices&getLocation=
s=3Dcounties&parentState=3DUS-PA&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceursta&a=
mp;bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&repo=
rtType=3Dspecies&counties=3DUS-PA-101&continue.x=3D45&continu=
e.y=3D11">http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices&getLocati=
ons=3Dcounties&parentState=3DUS-PA&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceursta=
&bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&re=
portType=3Dspecies&counties=3DUS-PA-101&continue.x=3D45&conti=
nue.y=3D11</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>For comparison I checked <b>Halifax</b> as =
well (as we know, starlings greatly++ out number house sparrows =
throughout the year)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a =
href=3D"http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices&getLocation=
s=3Dcounties&parentState=3DCA-NS&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceursta&a=
mp;bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&repo=
rtType=3Dspecies&counties=3DCA-NS-HL&continue.x=3D65&continue=
.y=3D11">http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices&getLocatio=
ns=3Dcounties&parentState=3DCA-NS&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceursta&=
amp;bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&rep=
ortType=3Dspecies&counties=3DCA-NS-HL&continue.x=3D65&continu=
e.y=3D11</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><b><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>London, UK</span></b><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> shows a similar ratio as =
Halifax.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a =
href=3D"http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices&getLocation=
s=3Dcounties&parentState=3DGB-ENG&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceursta&=
amp;bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&rep=
ortType=3Dspecies&counties=3DGB-ENG-LND&continue.x=3D52&conti=
nue.y=3D13">http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=3DsaveChoices&getLoca=
tions=3Dcounties&parentState=3DGB-ENG&speciesCodes=3Dhouspa%2Ceur=
sta&bMonth=3D01&bYear=3D2010&eMonth=3D12&eYear=3D2015&=
;reportType=3Dspecies&counties=3DGB-ENG-LND&continue.x=3D52&c=
ontinue.y=3D13</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Unfortunately there is insufficient data in =
eBird to compare 5 year periods from decades ago to show they are =
trending.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Keith Lowe<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;=
mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><b><span lang=3DEN-US =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span><=
/b><span lang=3DEN-US =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> =
naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] =
<b>On Behalf Of </b>chris kennedy<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, November 23, =
2015 7:06 AM<br><b>To:</b> naturens@chebucto.ns.ca<br><b>Subject:</b> =
Re: [NatureNS] sparrows<o:p></o:p></span></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>With =
all this talk of House Sparrows, I thought I'd mention something I =
noticed this summer while in Toronto, then Philadelphia. In both of =
those cities, I noticed the House Sparrows were more abundant than =
starlings nearly everywhere I went. I could not hypothesize why this =
would be... perhaps someone here knows?<o:p></o:p></p><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>-Chris Kennedy in =
Dartmouth<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>On Sat, =
Nov 21, 2015 at 12:15 PM, <a =
href=3D"mailto:rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca">rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca</a> =
<<a href=3D"mailto:rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca" =
target=3D"_blank">rita.paul@ns.sympatico.ca</a>> =
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style=3D'border:none;border-left:solid =
#CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm =
6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:5=
.0pt'><div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>One thing not mentioned in the =
discussion Lance was the use of <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>road salt. It very effectively wiped out the Hungarian =
Partridge on PEI.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>They =
went from plentiful to rare in a few years after salt came into =
use.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>They would get gravel =
for grit along the road and pick up salt.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>The same may have happened to House Sparrows also - =
come to think of<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>it rats - =
the Norway kind - have had an unlamented decline also. =
<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>All 3 species are of the =
invasive kind. The history of most invasive species is =
<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>that they thrive for a =
time and then die down.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Enjoy the November rain<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>Paul <o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote =
style=3D'border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm =
8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p =
class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'>On November 20, 2015 at =
11:26 AM "Laviolette, Lance" <<a =
href=3D"mailto:lance.laviolette@lmco.com" =
target=3D"_blank">lance.laviolette@lmco.com</a>> wrote: =
<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
>Hi Peter,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
>There are undoubtedly a number of factors contributing to the decline =
of House Sparrows. However one factor which has been pointed out by =
studies in the UK is a reduction in the abundance of insects for =
nestlings. Whatever the cause in the decline in insect numbers =
(pesticides, predators, climate change, etc.), the hypothesis goes that =
less insects mean less protein for the young which results in less =
healthy young fledging from the nest. These less fit birds don=E2=80=99t =
survive very well in harsher, winter conditions. =
</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
>The reason European Starlings are not declining may be attributed to =
their diet also. From the Birds of North America =
accounts:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
>House Sparrow - Insects and other arthropods during breeding =
season.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
>European Starling - Extremely diverse diet that varies geographically, =
with the age of individuals, and with season. Unusual abundances of food =
items=E2=80=A6 garbage, livestock feed, etc. are also =
exploited.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
>The diverse diet of starlings gives them a big edge when trying to =
survive and fledge healthy young in areas where no one food type is =
sufficient by itself.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
>As Paul mentioned, House Sparrows used to be seen closely associated =
with cows and horses and they still are. However most of the large =
animal operations have now been replaced with intensive agricultural =
crop raising farms. I=E2=80=99d call the resulting corn and soya fields =
deserts compared to the diversity rich pastures and =
=E2=80=98wild=E2=80=99 hay fields that used to be common even 20 years =
ago except deserts are much richer in diversity. House Sparrows have =
gone from being abundant and wide-spread to being locally common over =
that time. In my area in summer they are now focused almost exclusively =
around the few horse stabling operations that we have. In winter they =
show up at my feeders.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
>All the best,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
>Lance</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><strong><spa=
n =
style=3D'font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Batang",serif;color:#1F497D'>Lance=
Laviolette</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Batang",serif;color:#1F497D'>Glen =
Robertson, Ontario</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'=
> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><div =
style=3D'border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm =
0cm 0cm;border-color:currentColor currentColor'><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><strong><spa=
n =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span><=
/strong><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> </span><a =
href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank"><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>naturens-owne=
r@chebucto.ns.ca</span></a><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> =
[mailto:</span><a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" =
target=3D"_blank"><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>naturens-owne=
r@chebucto.ns.ca</span></a><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>] =
<strong><span style=3D'font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>On Behalf Of =
</span></strong></span><a href=3D"mailto:Hubcove@aol.com" =
target=3D"_blank"><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Hubcove@aol.c=
om</span></a><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><br><strong><=
span style=3D'font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Sent:</span></strong> =
Thursday, November 19, 2015 5:57 PM<br><strong><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>To:</span></strong> </span><a =
href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank"><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>naturens@cheb=
ucto.ns.ca</span></a><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><br><strong><=
span style=3D'font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Subject:</span></strong> =
EXTERNAL: [NatureNS] sparrows</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p><=
/o:p></p><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>In Halifax today =
and a friend was wondering why sparrows have virtually disappeared in =
the city. While starlings are obviously flourishing. Wondered whether =
anyone had the answer.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Peter Stow =
</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span =
style=3D'font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Hubbards</span><o:p>=
</o:p></p></div></div></blockquote><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><br> =
<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></blockquote></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></body></html>
------=_NextPart_000_0064_01D12626.E6CAD400--
next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects