This species has been in decline nationally but still common locally and pleased to say have seen them in flocks up to around 50 birds in my garden. Five years ago I put up a sparrow box designed for this species but it seems not often used and our particular box was no exception with occasional use by Blue Tits. 2010 has been the first time it as actually been used by one pair of House Sparrows which succesfully raised a brood of chicks.
A member of the cabbage family, often seen on wetland areas this has self seeded around my pond and also appears in other drier areas in the garden. One of my favourites and a delight to have in the garden.
Some years ago I decided to add a wildflower meadow to my garden, small but certainly adds to the garden and would not be with out it now. Oxeye Daisy used to dominate particularly during the summer months but has become more balanced and in the spring we get a very good showing of cowslips which have spread into the borders.