If you're wondering why we should do our bit to save the sparrow read this excerpt from an interview I found at Rediff...
'Mao Zedong blamed rats, flies, mosquitoes and sparrows for the failure of the 1957 grain harvest.
Mao ordered the massacre of 1.96 billion sparrows between March and November 1958, despite the objection of experts that sparrows were in fact the major defence of the grain fields against insects.
The killing culminated on December 13, 1958, when Shanghai residents reportedly destroyed 194,432 sparrows.
Like the sparrow extermination order issued by a Prussian ruler in the late 18th century, Mao's sparrow-killing campaign had two serious consequences. First, insects destroyed more of the grain harvest than ever in 1959. Second, a generation of the Chinese youth internalised violence against the weak and defenceless as an acceptable behaviour in the name of serving the interest of "the people."
The policy-induced famine of 1960-1962 killed 40 million Chinese.'
I didn't contribute to the project, however I did start noticing and looking out for the birds. Isn't it a wonder how they seem to actually like being around us humans, yet in such a non-aggressive way? Each morning when I'm wheeling out my scooter their happy exuberance makes me smile and I'm grateful for their cheery presence.
If you would like to do your bit and adopt a sparrow nest box click here.
Picture Courtesy: Pixabay
Linking to ABC Wednesday