Rare White Sparrow

Although our beautiful little white sparrow is not albino, as he has dark eyes not pink. He is still a rare sight, as he has complete leucism (a hypopigmentary congenital disorder), meaning there is no pigment in his feathers.

It is much more common to have partial leucism, which causes patches of white, known as ‘pied’ affect.

White sparrow accepted into the flock

The wonderful thing is, that the rest of the flock have accepted him, which is not always the case.

Plentiful Sparrows in our Garden!

Living in this part of North Wales, it is hard to imagine that house sparrow numbers are sadly plummeting countrywide. We are lucky to have so many in the garden, and surrounding areas.

Standing at my potting tray in the greenhouse, I can watch the birds constantly visiting our pond. Around six weeks ago a colony of house sparrows arrived in our garden. They have been nearly eating us out of house and home.

In all of these weeks we hadn’t noticed this unusual white sparrow. Luckily we have a Toguard outdoor camera set up.

As my husband and I were checking the footage this morning, we had such a surprise!

Creating our Wildlife Garden

We moved here eight years ago and set about the long arduous task, of creating an organic kitchen garden.

Inspired by the late great Geoff Hamilton, we knew we had to put a wildlife pond in, which we filled in spring 2017.

I’m not the most patient person and was a little disappointed that first year. We only had pond skaters (Gerridae), boatmen (corixa punctata) and pond snails.

Although the birds came to drink and bathe from day one, which was a real pleasure.

Geoff was right though, if you create the right environment, the wildlife will find you! And since then it certainly has!

In the second year common newts took up residence, and can now be found around the garden.

On the last day or two of May each year damselflies fill the garden, landing on your hand if you hold it out for them.

And this year we finally have a garden full of frogs, after a good spawning day back in February. I’ve had around four living in my greenhouse all year which I’ve had to provide saucers of water for.

5* Bird Hotel

As we’ve planted the garden with wildlife in mind. Having flowers out all year around, providing pollen for the insects. We have a huge variety of birds, which treat the garden like one big dining area.

Only this week we’ve had the usual Sparrows, Blackbirds, Wrens and Carion crows. As well as Greenfinches, Great tits, Blue tits and Chaffinch, which we haven’t seen for a few weeks.

Not to mention the ducks and geese that fly overhead regularly as we have large ponds around the area.

As well as all of the insects in the garden, we supply the birds with bought in food. The feeding station is right next to a very long, eight foot high holly hedge, which all of the birds seem to love. You can see and hear them running around inside it.

As this is situated very close to the pond, all their needs are catered for. It’s no wonder they keep returning to our 5* bird hotel!

Stay safe and happy wildlife gardening.