Gourmet sparrows

Back in the summer a family of goldfinches seemed to be living close by, so I bought a large bird feeder and filled it with expensive niger seed. It remained untouched all season. Never saw a goldfinch or anything else on the darn thing. It was still full last week and then, in the space of a day or so, it was suddenly cleared of seed. The sparrows had finally found it and figured out how to get to the contents. I mean, I like sparrows but I was hoping for something a little more exotic. Especially as, up till now, the sparrows have been quite happy with a more modestly priced lunch.

 

Clare .. I was 'forced' to read this post of yours by the title although I didn't want to ... I will tell you why ...

In 1989 I went to Guinea, West Africa, in my capacity as Expat Personnel for a diamond mine. As an 'executive visitor to the country' I was 'treated' to many things not available to the common visitor (it is a 'closed country' by invitation by the Government only). One of these treats was an evening banquet where, amongst other things (ie wild boar shot by the mine director himself that week) was a platter of roasted sparrows as a starter also shot by him that week ... I did not have either ..... it was disgusting to look at!

Strangely I eat wild boar in stews here now as it is commonplace ... but I do not eat the sparrows which are also a speciality dish in season as we are now. :cry:

 

:( I suppose eating sparrows is no different from eating any other wild thing, but it does seem well, wrong. I've never eaten wild boar but I don't think I'd have any problem with it. Here in Kent some farmed boar escaped a few years back and managed to establish themselves in the wild without any problem at all. The owners of the local vineyard weren't too happy, however ... the boar kept trashing the place.

 

Sparrows know what they like ClaraLou.
They love my peas and sweet peas and in season they won't leave them alone.
As for eating them - well, it seems a shame. How many would you need to make meal ?
But wild boar is lovely and I have no problem with that on the menu.