Paphos Life

I know that I already posted one month ago about the sparrows having fun in their bird bath, but in the meantime it is like Ayia Napa beaches in August... packed.

Even on a cloudy day as it is they have their routine now for a morning bath. This one had already enough from the crowd...


if you know what I mean..


a bit a space would be nice


like this that I can stretch my wings


but that was only seconds until the others are back...


give me a break


this one forgot his diving mask


and finally this ones having fun like at the Fassouri water park..


As it was cloudy this morning the quality of the pics is not that great, zooming through the kitchen window...but one gets an impression whats going on outside..

Max

Looks fun to watch, and the sparrows are really enjoying it.

I don't dare have a bird bath as I have a cat...

Incredible photos, just lovely.

Jackie

Ams wrote: ↑Tue Aug 28, 2018 10:59 am Looks fun to watch, and the sparrows are really enjoying it.

I don't dare have a bird bath as I have a cat...

My Alsatian, which is guarding near the bird bath is not allowing any of my neighbours cats to come close... the birds have no problem that the dog is there, though.

Max

Lovely to see so many sparrows. Still quite a rare sight here in Dorset.

RattyPatty wrote: ↑Tue Aug 28, 2018 7:12 pm Lovely to see so many sparrows. Still quite a rare sight here in Dorset.

Why is that? Which birds you can see mainly in Dorset?

Max

I googled your question re the reason for the decline of sparrows in the UK and there isn't a definite answer. But it has been happening for some years.

I live in a semi rural are close to the south coast and have many birds at my feeding station.

All the different tits in large numbers, chaffinch, jackdaw, greater spotted woodpecker, greenfinch, tree creeper and one sparrow. As well as the usual wood pigeons, starlings and crows. But very rarely see a magpie or jay.

I have recently moved here from a London suburb where we always had lots of them. Plus the starlings. And finally a bird not many people will have visiting, pheasants. The land around me is used to rear pheasants for shooting sadly. A lot of them come through the fence to forage. They can become quite tame and one frequently sits outside the window until I throw him some sunflower seeds.

Back in Paphos there are usually a lot of sparrows taking dust baths in the road. I can't put out water for them as we have lots of cats as well.

cyprusmax47 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 28, 2018 7:00 pm My Alsatian, which is guarding near the bird bath is not allowing any of my neighbours cats to come close... the birds have no problem that the dog is there, though.

Max, I love the image of your Alsation protecting the birds from the neighbour cats! Nice that the sparrows can enjoy the water in peace

Such nice pictures Max, the birds are certainly enjoying their bath.

When I first moved I had lots of sparrows hopping about on the patio for some bread. About a week later a lovely tabby cat decided to adopt me and has lived in my garden ever since. I've called her Lexi and I feed and water her. It's hard juggling an indoor cat who wants to go out and an outdoor cat who wants to come in. My indoor cat is not happy with the outdoor cat. Sadly, this meant that the birds disappeared except, of course, the bloody horrible magpies who dive bomb Lexi but she takes it all in her stride! X

I googled greek for sparrow came up spourgitis or sparo in peyia local say struthos phonetic spelling any way one of my favourite birds as Barbara Windsor sang aint it a shame sparrows cant sing

Ams wrote: ↑Wed Aug 29, 2018 1:05 pm

cyprusmax47 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 28, 2018 7:00 pm My Alsatian, which is guarding near the bird bath is not allowing any of my neighbours cats to come close... the birds have no problem that the dog is there, though.

Max, I love the image of your Alsation protecting the birds from the neighbour cats! Nice that the sparrows can enjoy the water in peace

This is the normal look if something is in the bushes....


and here one can see the area of the birds bath...but sometimes she is not sooo alert as the air cooler is so relaxing....


Max

manxie wrote: ↑Wed Aug 29, 2018 2:26 pm I googled greek for sparrow came up spourgitis or sparo in peyia local say struthos phonetic spelling any way one of my favourite birds as Barbara Windsor sang aint it a shame sparrows cant sing

You are right, locals call a sparrow: " Strouthos " but also if somebody is small in size (not only children)

Max

Max, I should send this photo of your happy dog in front of the air cooler to my sister. She's in Malta and has a German Shepherd, but he doesn't have the luxury of an air cooler... There is a small "baby pool" though, that he can jump in and out of.

cyprusmax47 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 30, 2018 10:39 am

manxie wrote: ↑Wed Aug 29, 2018 2:26 pm I googled greek for sparrow came up spourgitis or sparo in peyia local say struthos phonetic spelling any way one of my favourite birds as Barbara Windsor sang aint it a shame sparrows cant sing

You are right, locals call a sparrow: " Strouthos " but also if somebody is small in size (not only children)

Max

in Scotland, we call sparrows,,,,,,,spurgies.
Not so far off the Greek!!

English - House Sparrow
Latin - Passer domesticus
Cypriot Greek - Στρούθος
From Bird Life Cyprus Checklist

Max, love your pics, the birds are superb, but really love your dog
Especially, even though I'm a cat person, when he's on cat patrol!!

smudger wrote: ↑Thu Aug 30, 2018 8:57 pm Max, love your pics, the birds are superb, but really love your dog
Especially, even though I'm a cat person, when he's on cat patrol!!

Yes, she is a sweetie, never makes a mess when I am out for a trip >10 hours, but when I am away I have to remove all plastic items, even her house, as she starts chewing it up...and she is a rescue

Max

TLR wrote: ↑Thu Aug 30, 2018 6:49 pm


in Scotland, we call sparrows,,,,,,,spurgies.
Not so far off the Greek!!

I remember we called them " SPURDIES".


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM9c97Rf20U

Ams wrote: ↑Tue Aug 28, 2018 10:59 am Looks fun to watch, and the sparrows are really enjoying it.

I don't dare have a bird bath as I have a cat...

I have one ex-feral cat and two kitties that have adopted me. I also have two large saucers for birds, lizards,hedgehogs, whatever, to drink from and bathe in. These saucers are placed in open areas so the birds especially can see if any feline is stalking them.

A previous cat in UK used to lie in wait under the hedge, then pounce out on an unsuspecting passing blackbird. We rescued many, one only after it had been carried inside through the cat flap. This particular blackbird developed a white patch of feathers on the back of its neck and was very recognisable thereafter.


Max, as usual, lovely photos, thank you.

PW in Polemi wrote: ↑Fri Aug 31, 2018 1:41 pm

Ams wrote: ↑Tue Aug 28, 2018 10:59 am Looks fun to watch, and the sparrows are really enjoying it.

I don't dare have a bird bath as I have a cat...

I also have two large saucers for birds, lizards,hedgehogs, whatever, to drink from and bathe in. These saucers are placed in open areas so the birds especially can see if any feline is stalking them.

That's a good idea. And sadly I only have 1 cat now as I lost the other one earlier this year, and Sushi is getting old now and doesn't seem to have much energy or interest in catching/playing with birds and insects anymore. The only creature I've seen her playing with this summer (twice!) are baby snakes! (Both were rescued and survived).