A lot of flutterering of wings drew my attention to a litle sparrow nearby.
There were lots of birds - blackbirds, robin, starlings, sparrows, doves all tucking in at various areas where we feed them.
As I watched this little sparrow, he seemed to lie down all the time. He flew down to have some water, and up to the feeder for seed and peanut granules. As we watched we could see he had only one leg and his little foot the other side was by his body.
He comes every day (I sit in the cabin (little summerhouse) and watch. I am always very pleased to see that he is still doing ok, and very pleased to tell hubby the good news!
He tends to (the little sparrow that is not hubby!) feed in the robin feeder where he can sit on the flat bottom and merrily feed. There is a cover, so he is kept dry and safer.
Sparrows usually are very quick and dart to get food and dissapear into the trees again, but this little lovey sits for ages. He peeps over the top of the surround feeder and keeps an eye on whats going on!
When we first saw him, he had to carefully work out his next move, and was very worn out. His whole body was pulsating, whether breath or heart.
Today he was quicker moving and seemed stronger.
I am glad we can put food where he can rest to eat it and water he can get to.
SNOW SNOW SNOW!
I don't see him every day, but I am very pleased when I do that he is still doing ok in this very cold weather.
He seems much stronger and quicker moving, so hopefully he is stronger and getting used to moving about in his own little way!
MARCH 2010 update
Well it's now March and I am very pleased to say that our little friend is still with us. This winter has been a bitterly cold one hasn't it, and we are so pleased to see the little one legged sparrow. It must make it so much more difficult, the other sparrows flit about, grab food and dart about. Little one leg has to calculate every move first and then balance as best he can. We get through lots of bird food, but it is good to help them. We have water containers about too, which is important. It's amazing how many days the water has been frozen, and new needed.
