Italian Sparrow Again

Cadbury Gardens, East Budleigh, Devon 
After work I decided to have a look at the putative Italian Sparrow. I did try on Tuesday but the news of a Water Pipit in my last blog distracted me. On arrival the bird in question was nowhere to be seen but with the amount of House Sparrow feeding and in the surrounding bushes I knew it would be along soon. There were a few other species to keep me entertained while I waited. A Common Buzzard flew overhead and a Male Eurasian Bullfinch gave a fleeting view. There were the usual Common Starting around and a European Robin popped on to the feeder.

European Robin

Common Starling

Then the Sparrow flew in and stole the show.

Putative Italian Sparrow (Male)

Putative Italian Sparrow (Male)

Italian Sparrow

Cadbury Gardens, East Budleigh, Devon 
An early morning visit to see the possible Italian Sparrow proved very productive as the bird in question showed very well on the feeders. It’s nice to see the change in the bill colour from the last time I saw it in November. I’ve heard there are plans to try to trap the bird to obtain DNA. Let’s hope that’s possible and can hopefully answer a lot of questions.