Despite a catastrophic recent drop in population (numbers may have declined by as much as 71 per cent between 1977 and 2008), the RSPB estimates that 5,300,000 breeding pairs of house sparrows remain in the United Kingdom.
Judging by the noise, Spurtle estimates that 5,299,998 of them are currently hard at it in a hedge on the corner of Bellevue Place and Melgund Terrace.
Their constant chattering, ecstatic screeches and urgent quarrelling are all very enjoyable in short doses at a distance. Also amusing is how, with astonishing coordination, their 'conversation' stops abruptly every time someone passes by on the pavement.
It is as though they think we’ll think nobody's there. In fact, it makes one think they must be turning purple with the effort of not nattering sweet nothings into each other's ears for twenty seconds. Basically, it's all rather like living with second-year students in the flat upstairs.
Artist Ingrid Nilsson shares Spurtle’s sense that house sparrows have enjoyed improved fortunes this year. However, we have noticed only an increase in numbers, not the corresponding increase in size and weight witnessed by Nilsson.
The work below is titled ‘Sur Mia’, and can be found in the Bon Papillon gallery, framer and café at 15 Howe Street.
