Tree Sparrow

• the tree sparrow in the British Isles is often considered the ‘country cousin’ of the far more familiar house sparrow
• smaller than house sparrow from which it can be told by a combination of rich brown crown, black cheek-spot and white neck collar
• In Northern Ireland it frequents farmland with hedgerows and trees
• this bird is found mainly in the Lough Neagh basin and the north-west and south-east coasts
• most easily seen in winter when it forms flocks, often with other seed-eaters
• in Ireland it breeds almost exclusively in holes in old farm buildings
• in the breeding season the tree sparrow is local but widely dispersed in the Lough Neagh basin and around some lowland, pastoral coastal areas
• a good site to see the species is Portmore Lough RSPB Reserve, where feeding often attracts quite large numbers throughout the year