ELEANOR DOWNES,
Madam, - Unlike other letters to you (November 12th, 15th and 21st) on the absence of sparrows, I can say I am blessed.
In a sheltered kitchen area of my small garden I have dozens of sparrows, blue, coal and great tits, finches and robins. I also enjoy many visiting woodpigeons, blackbirds, thrushes, bees and butterflies.
For the past 25 years I've fed my birds weekly all year, despite some human theories on this. I've always believed that they themselves knew best - just look to migrating birds and what they do naturally - incredible. I never cease to marvel at their intelligent nature and activities.
So keep feeding through the four seasons, and long live our many garden friends. They reward us with so much simple joy in such a hectic world. - Yours, etc.,
ELEANOR DOWNES, Monaloe Park Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin.