I was educated in a monastery in Belgium and every afternoon I would go out to the garden with a bread roll to read. There was a crow that would come by and I would give it something to eat. After awhile it started bringing me gifts...broken piece of colored glass, tin foil, etc. I kept them for many years.
Lesley, you brought back childhood memories for me as well. Such a lovely sounding little bird. Sparrows truly have a heavenly sound, one that is memorable. Thank you for sharing. We feed numerous types of birds here in Seekonk, MA. For the first time in all my life I've been witnessing many Bluebird families...it took 62 years for me to finally see this bird, but now am enjoying families of them. I feel it's a special gift to me by GOD, He knew how excited I would be & how much I love all his little winged Angel's. Thank you for loving these precious little souls.💕
I love the relationships you have developed with your feathered friends. Nature has a way of knowing who is worthy of their trust. They have decided you are one of those fortunate humans. Thanks for sharing your beautiful video.
Sad that an old man gets so excited on Sunday evenings when I pull up the new notifications! This was one of my favorites. I haven't seen similarly marked sparrows here, and am pretty sure I haven't heard their beautiful song locally. I wish I could donate to your work but am disabled from a brain injury/accident and without any extra income. Please know that you send great joy and I return all I am able in profound gratitude.
Awww Micheal your enjoyment of these videos is worth more than you know. Don't worry about any pressure to donate just keep enjoying the videos. Take care :)
Michael Madison V well said... Lesley... you make the best videos .... I am totally enthralled by them.... keep sharing 🙏🙏 Thank you sooo much Chetna - a fellow bird 🤓 nerd🙏🙏🦜🦜🦜🦜🦆🦆🦆🦅🦅🦅🦉🦉🦉🥜🥜
So here I am in Wyoming on Coronavirus Lockdown. I am 72, so I need to be careful. Your amazing video’s and insights nourish me so much in my isolation. I love to draw and paint birds, so I learn the name from you and then find reference photos on Google Images. So fun-Thank You!🙋🏼♀️💞😷
I am a wildlife photographer, and I have always greatly enjoyed your videos. This one caught my eye today, because I have been photographing a White-throated Sparrow way south of you in Colorado. Normally these guys only migrate through this area, but this one seems to be staying all winter. This little guy has become a sort of celebrity bird for those of us in the area who keep track of our avian buddies. Anyway, thanks for another great video. It's great to hear stories from someone who loves and appreciates these little guys. :)
I'm in Raleigh, NC and I just heard this song for the first time ever on a walk in March of this year. It stopped me in my tracks! I only hear it in a certain part of my neighborhood and it is the most beautiful sound. So happy that I've discovered the bird behind this song. Hopefully, I'll see him or her one day. I think I'll take peanuts in my pocket with me during my next walk. :) Thank you for this video!
First saw these guys in my grandparents backyard under the pine tree. I've heard their song, but never knew it belonged to them. My grandfather used to call them "skunk-heads". When I got interested in birding, I told him they were white-throated sparrows. You are so fortunate to have made friends with some of these lovely birds.
They are here!! MEMPHIS!! October 24, 2023 I just heard them yesterday, and saw them on the ground eating today!! I love them!!, thank you for your wonderful video!
Yes, I understand I love these white throated sparrows, that's the one ! I think it's most charming, beautiful, most rememberable song 🐦 tears me up, they sing and sound different from different regions from Michigan to New York,& Quebec
❤I live in the suburbs. We moved further out, so I hope I can attract more birds to my garden. We have lots of hummingbirds and I've seen a beautiful big red breasted robin and a wild bunny.
My goodness..that song. That has to be the most beautiful song I've heard. I had a chance to see one for the first time in my backyard a few months ago and had no idea they sang this beautiful song. He must have been passing by. I only saw him for a week. I hear the love you have for these birds through your stories.
Love! Love! Love! Similarily, growing up, every year I would hear this beautiful melody coming from the woods behind our home and eventually learned it was the white throated sparrow. I also left home and my community only to return some 15+ years later. Residing several miles away from my childhood home, I would faintly hear their call. I've spent hours trying to get them into my neighbourhood by replicating their call and putting out feeders only to attract a plethora of other sparrows... This was a delight to listen to! Thank you for sharing. Love from Canada!
I know what you mean. It's quite unexpected to see such a small bird singing a rather loud tune. I find the Ruby crowned kinglet the most amazing of them all. My first year of birding I remember hearing one singing. I didn't know what the bird was at the time and expected to see a rather large bird singing. I sure was surprised to discover a tiny little bird not much larger than a butterfly singing the song.
Am SO behind! Just noticed this bird with a “skunky-striped” head in my yard and here he is! From four yrs ago! Such joy to match a song with a cute little face💚. Sat outside for the first time this year and played your vlog “8 Chickadee Calls” to keep a couple mourning doves company. It seemed to encourage other little ones to come to my feeders from the big pine next door. You’re lucky to have so many feathered pals to feed. (And of course they’re all fortunate for you to train us!)
I grew up in the northeastern US and every winter would look forward to seeing my white throated sparrow buddies again, sometimes sketching them as they hopped around in the snow eating seeds fallen from our feeders. I miss them terribly now that I live elsewhere- watching videos of them singing brings joy to my heart. ❤
I'm always so thrilled to see the white throated sparrows here in Michigan. In fact, I have a photo of one as the wallpaper on my phone 😊. What a sweet, lovely story this was! Thank you Lesley!
I live in Atlanta, GA, and I just saw my first white-throated sparrow beneath our backyard feeder. He was probably foraging for peanuts. I came upon this video just a few days later, and I like to think that he could possibly be one of your friends! Don't worry; this guy will be well taken care of this winter! Thank you for the wonderful videos!
Such a lovely song! I heard them when birding yesterday. Lesley, I, like you, have fallen in love with birds, and I appreciate finding this video because I have been hearing that lovely song in my head all day! I will do my best to take care of them for you!
These past several days have been really cold and harsh in southern Ohio. On the COLDEST day, minus 25 degrees fahrenheit, a little song could be heard above the freeze💙. The white-throated sparrow! I've been feeding the birds for decades, but especially during the harsh Winters. Nice to know these little birds are just visiting for a while, and they go back to Canada. How awesome!! ❤❤❤❤❤
Lesley I can say I have the same "memory" experiences with bird songs. The Robin song in the spring brings me straight back to my childhood years whenever I hear it. I want you to know I'm disabled and spend most of my time alone and your videos bring me great company and serenity. You are very gifted in your production skills as well and I know this takes talent and time. Thanks for your willingness to share all of this life with us. All of this "life" going on out there and most of us would never realize it without your hard work. Thanks again....!
What a WONDERFUL STORY!!! I will call you Lesley, the BIRD WHISPERER from now on!!!! 😉 I too often wondered who sang that tune, which I love so much as well! That's quite a gift you have being friends with our winged neighbors and them trust you implicitly! Just beautiful!!! Thanks so much for sharing because it made my day! 😆
You are such an amazing person Lesley! I fully believe you were given a very special gift of communication with these adorable little birds.. I'm touched by all of your bird relationships. 🧡 Thank you as always for sharing your gift with us!
In my late teens I accompanied a friend and his family on a fishing trip to the Red Lake region of Canada. We drove 30 miles down a dirt road to a secluded lake with only one access. It was a primitive camping site the only facilities were cleaning table and two outhouses, the trees have been cut down on either side of the road leading up to the lake and that was it. It was unlike any other camping trip I ever had before. We were really out in the woods. We arrived in the late afternoon and as after we set up the tent I sat in the twilight marveling at the beauty around me. I began hearing this marvelous bird call. I never could see who was making it. I now know from your video it was a white-throated sparrow. Every time I've been in northern woods I've heard this bird and thought of that Canada trip.
Hi Lesley, "Like an echo from the past". I can totally relate to this 😚 Sparrows are so good natured. Patiently waiting for the bigger birds to get their "treat" first. Whitey is very sweet and how wonderful hear about his loyalty to his territory - AND you. Jackie and Joe must have told the rest of the crew about you! From one to 20 is amazing!! BTW You wrote and expressed your experiences beautifully ☺ Yes, you were definitely "meant to be" a steward for all "your" bird friends - offering food and friendship to help ease their long arduous journey. 💕😚💕 Alli
I just discovered this CZcams channel days ago. Leslie, your content is so wholesome and entertaining, I am learning so much about birds! This has quickly become my favorite CZcams channel
This story made me cry. I recently discovered throated sparrows. I heard one singing in my backyard a few days ago, and his singing really touched me. I didn't know what kind of bird it was, because I'm visually impaired and can't see very well. But I recorded his sound, and I was able to identify what kind of bird he is. Now, I go outside as much as I can, so I can hear his beautiful singing. It brings me so much comfort, and it feels like he's singing directly to me.
It just hits me in the gut when you say you didn’t see them the following spring . Just started birding last February and am probably going overboard with the feeders but I just love the birds . Maryland US here
I am so delighted to watch this video as I too have walked in many a woods all over Michigan and heard this sparrows captivating song. Today you put a name on them. Thank you! Your birding hobby has delighted many of us who can’t get to the woods consistently any longer. We are so happy for you. Enjoy and keep sharing!
My wife and I got into bird watching, and feeding wild birds last spring. We have put out several feeders now. We saw our first white throated sparrow last weekend. We have really been enjoying these wild birds. Thank you for your videos, we enjoy watching them.
Every winter I look forward to these little sparrows showing up here in St. Louis Missouri. I have regularly had at least one coming to my feeder but to my surprise today I had three! Love these guys...
Oh, Ah- ah- ah! - U hav 2 Bluejays on yr hands! - I held a Scrub Jay once after I saved him from inside a laundromat. After he flew into the glass, I scooped him up into a towel, brought him outside and unwrapped him on top of my car, perching him on my hand. Bluey and I were friends for years, he raised his family by me and called to me to bring him treats. - * My mystery bird in the Oregon woods turned out to be Swainson's Thrush - what an unusual sound that is!
We have a white-throated sparrow who stops by the back of our Brooklyn apartment building every late winter/!early spring. He (?) and his compatriots fill the Gowanus/ Park Slope neighborhood with their beautiful songs on an annual basis, and thanks to you, Bird Nerd, we finally know who/ what he is. Can’t wait for him to come back!
We enjoy White-throated Sparrows here in central Pennsylvania from October - May. I take good care of them. The ones that come to my yard get their own Christmas tree, and i feed a variety of foods from unsalted peanuts, sunflower, to millet and other grains. They are my favorite sparrow.
30 years ago I would leave Indiana and drive to the Boundary waters in Canada for a week long canoe/fishing/camping trip. Just a breath taking place to see the stars and Northern lights. One day silently paddling into a stream, I heard the this beautiful bird. Is was so loud and clear I thought it was a joke or my buddy was whistling. Never could see it but was blessed with it all week. About to two years ago I started hearing them here back in IN. I go through 200 pounds or more of various bird seeds bags a year from watching birds most of my life. Finally! After many searches I know now the name of my most adored song bird. At my funeral I hope someone will play this bird sound softly over the PA system. Thank you for sharing this video!
I have been feeding mine for 20 years. They leave in late May singing a happy song. Then I’m happy to see him in October singing a sadder song. But I feed them real good so they can make it back to Canada
These are my favorite! They are all over our favorite campground and when I hear them it's instant peace. My favorite is at dusk when they all call to each other. I was lucky to have one or two in my yard this spring while they were migrating north.
Great story! I saw white throated sparrows at my feeder for the first time today. And I am happy to finally know what species sings that beautiful song I have loved for years. Another one of God's beautiful creatures. :)
I totally understand how you'd be captivated with this little bird's song. My mom, my aunt and uncle, and I had been hearing these little guys for several days, and like you, we couldn't see who was singing. So, I googled different bird songs until I was finally able to identify them. Funnily enough, my aunt and uncle were able to ID them at the same time. Since then, I've had the fortune of finally being able to see these cuties, now that I know what to look for. It's always amazing when you're finally able to recognize birds from memory.
I have tried for years to find the bird making this beautiful song. This Fall I made work of it to find this bird. Everyone I asked did not know. I listened to all the bird sounds in Southern Manitoba. Then I found it--a beautiful bird!!
I feed a dozen house sparrows around my house. I am always amazed by them. Whatever be the day good or bad they are always excited. Nothing makes them dull or upset. Beautiful clip :)
Thank you for sharing your lovely story😍. Yes we’ll take care of all the wild birds visiting our backyard as best we can!!🥰. Your videos uplift me so much, and teach me about these wonderful creatures💖
Such a heartwarming story. I grew up with a pet green african singing finch, and we shared a great friendship. He only entrusted upon me the right to pet his belly feathers. Another unforgettable experience for me was in 2010 when I was walking on Mont Royal in Montreal. I was gifted a rare moment when there were no other people around, and many black-capped chickadees surrounding me in the small forest's southeastern edge. I decided to stay still and hold up my hands, in a sense trying to mimic the shape of a tree. Within ten minutes of holding this posture, several of the chickadees had gotten as close as they could to me while still perching on twigs and branches. Then one of them took the chance and landed on my left hand! Three others soon joined. They remained perched there on my hands, as if expecting food to magically materialize, but I had no gifts to share, unfortunately. They didn't seem to mind though, and just spent some time standing there, toes wrapped around my fingers. But as a pedestrian finally approached, they decided that this was too much and flew back to the maple branches. As I've always adored and felt connected to our avian friends (well, maybe not as a teenager, when their 5:00am singing practice would daily rouse me out from sleep), this experience was, for me, monumental, and I won't ever forget it. Seeing all of the different species interacting with you is really fascinating, and reminded me of that memory!
Discovering Lesley The Bird Nerd is not unlike discovering a Gemstone in a heap of dust! I am riveted to my computer, watching video after video and think I've learned more about Birds in the past few days than in all the years I've been interested. The World of Ornithology should be deeply grateful for her incredible work that offers a rare glimpse revealing a different view of Birds far beyond mere facts. Thank you Lesley for these wonderful videos & stories that share such intimate relationships few Humans could boast of or even perchance to Dream.
I too have been struck by the magic of a white-throated sparrow. For about the past ten years I've tried to get to an area in northern Michigan or Ontario in late April or early May, during migration. Sometimes I manage to get up there, sometimes not. A few years ago during such a trip I drove to a favorite spot near Lake Michigan where a favorite trail starts. When I stepped out of the car I was intrigued by the song of a bird just above me in a tree. I watched him for the longest time, enjoying his beauty and the lovely song. He really made my day. Of course this was a white-throated sparrow, and I've loved them ever since. I really enjoyed your story!
Such a pleasant soothing soft narrative voice and a superior informative documentation; all combined with excellent video taping and editing. Simply heartwarming video of these precious aerial darlings. Thank you Leslie for all your efforts from the lower 48.
LeslieI have enjoyed your sweet videos on birds so much. I appreciate your tenderness and gentleness with them. Alas, I am not in a position to financially help you , but I can recommend you to others. Thank you for taking time to share your love of these special creations of our Lord.
Birds are so cool. I just started feeding birds last summer and through this winter. They really helped me through a rough depression I was in for almost a year. I bought a feeder for a friend who deals with depression also and she seemed to really enjoy them too. I have a cardinal family that hangs around. My neighbor down the road gets flocks of them. There is nothing more magical than seeing 20+ cardinals in a snow covered tree in the dead of winter.
I'm in England and am just beginning to learn about American and Canadian birds. I very much enjoyed your film, thank you very much for the pleasure it gave me.
One of my favorite birds- they love to sing with you and they're so sweet-we have been feeding families of white-throated sparrows for generations- maybe your Whitey decided to stay in New York -I would like to think so. They love to stay with the family of juncos and chickadees in our woods
FINALLY!!!! THAT IS IT!!!!! I have looked and looked for the bird making this high pitched song! I also remember hearing this song also as a child and wanted to know who made it!!!! This morning I’m hearing it again and found that chickadees make a similar but not the same! THANK YOU!!!!! I’m so happy to finally know! I feed them on the ground along with the doves, junko, etc. The sparrows love this wood stick bramble we made when we had to cut some of our trees! Since you are a bird nerd, I have something exciting this year!!! I live in Memphis Tn and I have a male vibrant orange bullocks oriole who I first saw at my feeder in January!! I was so surprised!!!!! When he came back for my homemade suet I looked up his habits and found that I am WAY OUT OF RANGE for his winter migration!!! They usually go way south Mexico, southern Texas California, etc. I am getting so sad thinking of him leaving soon! We had some awful cold temps here this winter but he survived!!!! My parents both passed away last year and I felt God sent me this special bird just to brighten my winter!!!! What do you think the reason might be for him being so far away from normal migration?
I know this was posted a year ago, but I’m just now watching. Anyway as soon as I heard that song, it sent me back to my childhood on my grandparents farm where I spent my summers. Never knew that’s what that bird was. I haven’t heard that sound in decades. Thank you! Lovely memories.🤗
They chase you! I'm so envious. I keep trying to get my feathered friends to eat from my hand. Occasionally a brave little chickadee will honour me, but the blue jays ALWAYS wait until I turn my back to return to the house, and then they move in and grab what I dumped in the feeder. Haven't seen any white throated sparrows here, but do have lots of song sparrows - but they don't chase after me! Another great video, Lesley.
I'm in the UP of Michigan. These little friends come by and I finally heard their calls just a few days ago. I can do one of their calls and I love hearing them and getting responses to my own calls!
I live in New Jersey and I go out photographing birds year round, several times per week. I really enjoy the white throated sparrows in the winter here. Actually they arrive in the fall, as they are already here and I’ve been photographing them.
I'm in Texas and I just noticed today at my feeders there were about 12 sparrows! I saw only 2 or 3 this past week but today, wow it was like they all arrived! They were so cute and hungry. I had put alot of shelled peanuts and a mixture of seeds on the ground under my feeders, they seem to love eating on the ground . You are right Leslie, one or two (or more) just might be some that you have been feeding also. I'm taking really good care of them! ❤😊
I heard these sparrows often in Algonquin Park (Ontario). My friends and I used to think they were singing Sweeeeeeeet Canada Canada Canada. Lovely birds with a beautiful song.
Thank you Lesley the Bird Nerd. I believe that I have have told you before of my low vision. I am 1/2 a line below legally blind, not Blind Blind bumping into things but very poor vision and your videos help me to see the birds better. I live on Maryland's Eastern Shore and in December and January notice the Sparrows and your videos help me see them better. So! Thank you again.
Hearing their song takes me back to when I was young growing up in southern New York and hearing that song! Never know what kind of bird is was singing it or ever saw the that was singing it! Watching this video brought a smile to my face remembering those days of no real responsibilities and just running around in the woods around our house exploring and having fun!😆
Awesome story! You truly are the bird whisperer! You have a wonderful way of telling your story with video and narration. How wonderful too that you knew at a young age how important birds are and continued your interest. Your vids just brighten my day! XO
Birds are MUCH MORE intelligent than many humans give them credit for!
Thank You, Lesley 💛 my heart bursts when I hear the sparrows return! It is like hearing from an old friend
I was educated in a monastery in Belgium and every afternoon I would go out to the garden with a bread roll to read. There was a crow that would come by and I would give it something to eat. After awhile it started bringing me gifts...broken piece of colored glass, tin foil, etc. I kept them for many years.
How wonderful, how marvelous!
Joseph, this is magical! Oh my gosh.
Okay, I’m just so inspired by this. What ended up happening to you and your crow?
Audra Erin When I left the monastery one of the priests took over feeding him.
I feed a family of crows. I catch mice and other bothersome rodents and give them to the crows. I’ll have to watch for any items they may leave! 🦅
Lesley, you brought back childhood memories for me as well. Such a lovely sounding little bird. Sparrows truly have a heavenly sound, one that is memorable. Thank you for sharing. We feed numerous types of birds here in Seekonk, MA. For the first time in all my life I've been witnessing many Bluebird families...it took 62 years for me to finally see this bird, but now am enjoying families of them. I feel it's a special gift to me by GOD, He knew how excited I would be & how much I love all his little winged Angel's. Thank you for loving these precious little souls.💕
Goose bumps (5:20)
(9:30)YES LESLEY!!! I’ll say hi to my sparrows out my kitchen window for you! 🌸🌸🌸
I love the relationships you have developed with your feathered friends. Nature has a way of knowing who is worthy of their trust. They have decided you are one of those fortunate humans. Thanks for sharing your beautiful video.
Sad that an old man gets so excited on Sunday evenings when I pull up the new notifications! This was one of my favorites. I haven't seen similarly marked sparrows here, and am pretty sure I haven't heard their beautiful song locally. I wish I could donate to your work but am disabled from a brain injury/accident and without any extra income. Please know that you send great joy and I return all I am able in profound gratitude.
Awww Micheal your enjoyment of these videos is worth more than you know. Don't worry about any pressure to donate just keep enjoying the videos. Take care :)
Hang in there, Michael. Take it day by day, and enjoy the little moments like this.
How kind you are, Lesley. May the birds always fill your path through life with song.
Thank you George for your kind words. I have issues but am blessed in many ways, the birds being head-liners among them.
Michael Madison V well said... Lesley... you make the best videos .... I am totally enthralled by them.... keep sharing 🙏🙏
Thank you sooo much
Chetna - a fellow bird 🤓 nerd🙏🙏🦜🦜🦜🦜🦆🦆🦆🦅🦅🦅🦉🦉🦉🥜🥜
That was such a sweet story about the lovely little sparrows!! Thanks Lesley 💜☮️
So here I am in Wyoming on Coronavirus Lockdown. I am 72, so I need to be careful. Your amazing video’s and insights nourish me so much in my isolation. I love to draw and paint birds, so I learn the name from you and then find reference photos on Google Images. So fun-Thank You!🙋🏼♀️💞😷
I am a wildlife photographer, and I have always greatly enjoyed your videos. This one caught my eye today, because I have been photographing a White-throated Sparrow way south of you in Colorado. Normally these guys only migrate through this area, but this one seems to be staying all winter. This little guy has become a sort of celebrity bird for those of us in the area who keep track of our avian buddies. Anyway, thanks for another great video. It's great to hear stories from someone who loves and appreciates these little guys. :)
Watching this video feels like a nice warm bath
The story of your experience with the sparrows is quite lovely. Would give two thumbs up if I could.
@Bradley McCarty to
Just yesterday, from the trees came this unmistakable song .. peabody, peabody, peabody ..... I just smiled ... Yep. it's springtime..
I look forward to the arrival of the white-throated sparrow in Tennessee every winter. I feed them well, Lesley.
I'm in Raleigh, NC and I just heard this song for the first time ever on a walk in March of this year. It stopped me in my tracks! I only hear it in a certain part of my neighborhood and it is the most beautiful sound. So happy that I've discovered the bird behind this song. Hopefully, I'll see him or her one day. I think I'll take peanuts in my pocket with me during my next walk. :) Thank you for this video!
5:45 to 5:54 is the cutest part, awwwww it's cute when he was napping☺️😊😊
First saw these guys in my grandparents backyard under the pine tree. I've heard their song, but never knew it belonged to them. My grandfather used to call them "skunk-heads". When I got interested in birding, I told him they were white-throated sparrows. You are so fortunate to have made friends with some of these lovely birds.
what a gift these creatures are to us
They are here!! MEMPHIS!! October 24, 2023 I just heard them yesterday, and saw them on the ground eating today!! I love them!!, thank you for your wonderful video!
You've done it again. This is just the best CZcams channel ever.
Aww that is such a freaking awesome compliment :) Thank you
Yes Mike! I agree
Yes, I understand I love these white throated sparrows, that's the one ! I think it's most charming, beautiful, most rememberable song 🐦 tears me up, they sing and sound different from different regions from Michigan to New York,& Quebec
I love the sound of the white throated sparrow!
❤I live in the suburbs. We moved further out, so I hope I can attract more birds to my garden. We have lots of hummingbirds and I've seen a beautiful big red breasted robin and a wild bunny.
My goodness..that song. That has to be the most beautiful song I've heard. I had a chance to see one for the first time in my backyard a few months ago and had no idea they sang this beautiful song. He must have been passing by. I only saw him for a week. I hear the love you have for these birds through your stories.
Love! Love! Love! Similarily, growing up, every year I would hear this beautiful melody coming from the woods behind our home and eventually learned it was the white throated sparrow. I also left home and my community only to return some 15+ years later. Residing several miles away from my childhood home, I would faintly hear their call. I've spent hours trying to get them into my neighbourhood by replicating their call and putting out feeders only to attract a plethora of other sparrows... This was a delight to listen to! Thank you for sharing. Love from Canada!
Awesome history with your sparrows. It always amazes me how sometimes the smallest birds sing the loudest with such pretty sounds.
I know what you mean. It's quite unexpected to see such a small bird singing a rather loud tune. I find the Ruby crowned kinglet the most amazing of them all. My first year of birding I remember hearing one singing. I didn't know what the bird was at the time and expected to see a rather large bird singing. I sure was surprised to discover a tiny little bird not much larger than a butterfly singing the song.
Am SO behind! Just noticed this bird with a “skunky-striped” head in my yard and here he is! From four yrs ago! Such joy to match a song with a cute little face💚. Sat outside for the first time this year and played your vlog “8 Chickadee Calls” to keep a couple mourning doves company. It seemed to encourage other little ones to come to my feeders from the big pine next door. You’re lucky to have so many feathered pals to feed. (And of course they’re all fortunate for you to train us!)
I grew up in the northeastern US and every winter would look forward to seeing my white throated sparrow buddies again, sometimes sketching them as they hopped around in the snow eating seeds fallen from our feeders. I miss them terribly now that I live elsewhere- watching videos of them singing brings joy to my heart. ❤
White throated sparrows are one of my favorites. They were one of the first birds I identified when I started to get into birding
Adorable sparrows
I'm always so thrilled to see the white throated sparrows here in Michigan. In fact, I have a photo of one as the wallpaper on my phone 😊. What a sweet, lovely story this was! Thank you Lesley!
I live in Atlanta, GA, and I just saw my first white-throated sparrow beneath our backyard feeder. He was probably foraging for peanuts. I came upon this video just a few days later, and I like to think that he could possibly be one of your friends! Don't worry; this guy will be well taken care of this winter! Thank you for the wonderful videos!
This story makes me feel sad, he was a sweet little sparrow.
Me too ! Bitter sweet
Such a lovely song! I heard them when birding yesterday. Lesley, I, like you, have fallen in love with birds, and I appreciate finding this video because I have been hearing that lovely song in my head all day! I will do my best to take care of them for you!
You are definitely meant to share special relationships with these birds. ❤️😍
🐦♥️
These past several days have been really cold and harsh in southern Ohio. On the COLDEST day, minus 25 degrees fahrenheit, a little song could be heard above the freeze💙. The white-throated sparrow! I've been feeding the birds for decades, but especially during the harsh Winters. Nice to know these little birds are just visiting for a while, and they go back to Canada. How awesome!! ❤❤❤❤❤
I get the white throated sparrows every winter here in the SE corner of North Carolina. I think they are one of the most beautiful sparrows of all.
Lesley I can say I have the same "memory" experiences with bird songs. The Robin song in the spring brings me straight back to my childhood years whenever I hear it. I want you to know I'm disabled and spend most of my time alone and your videos bring me great company and serenity. You are very gifted in your production skills as well and I know this takes talent and time. Thanks for your willingness to share all of this life with us. All of this "life" going on out there and most of us would never realize it without your hard work. Thanks again....!
What a WONDERFUL STORY!!! I will call you Lesley, the BIRD WHISPERER from now on!!!! 😉 I too often wondered who sang that tune, which I love so much as well! That's quite a gift you have being friends with our winged neighbors and them trust you implicitly! Just beautiful!!! Thanks so much for sharing because it made my day! 😆
You are very welcome. Thank you kindly for the title too haha! :)
You are such an amazing person Lesley! I fully believe you were given a very special gift of communication with these adorable little birds.. I'm touched by all of your bird relationships. 🧡 Thank you as always for sharing your gift with us!
:) That is really kind of to say. Thank you and you are welcome. So glad you enjoy
In my late teens I accompanied a friend and his family on a fishing trip to the Red Lake region of Canada. We drove 30 miles down a dirt road to a secluded lake with only one access. It was a primitive camping site the only facilities were cleaning table and two outhouses, the trees have been cut down on either side of the road leading up to the lake and that was it. It was unlike any other camping trip I ever had before. We were really out in the woods. We arrived in the late afternoon and as after we set up the tent I sat in the twilight marveling at the beauty around me. I began hearing this marvelous bird call. I never could see who was making it. I now know from your video it was a white-throated sparrow. Every time I've been in northern woods I've heard this bird and thought of that Canada trip.
Hi Lesley,
"Like an echo from the past".
I can totally relate to this 😚
Sparrows are so good natured. Patiently waiting for the bigger birds to get their "treat" first.
Whitey is very sweet and how wonderful hear about his loyalty to his territory - AND you. Jackie and Joe must have told the rest of the crew about you! From one to 20 is amazing!! BTW You wrote and expressed your experiences beautifully ☺ Yes, you were definitely "meant to be" a steward for all "your" bird friends - offering food and friendship to help ease their long arduous journey.
💕😚💕 Alli
Thanks so much Alli. :)
I just discovered this CZcams channel days ago. Leslie, your content is so wholesome and entertaining, I am learning so much about birds! This has quickly become my favorite CZcams channel
This story made me cry. I recently discovered throated sparrows. I heard one singing in my backyard a few days ago, and his singing really touched me. I didn't know what kind of bird it was, because I'm visually impaired and can't see very well. But I recorded his sound, and I was able to identify what kind of bird he is. Now, I go outside as much as I can, so I can hear his beautiful singing. It brings me so much comfort, and it feels like he's singing directly to me.
He may very well be!☺️
It’s pretty amazing that something so smol can make so much noise.
It just hits me in the gut when you say you didn’t see them the following spring . Just started birding last February and am probably going overboard with the feeders but I just love the birds . Maryland US here
I am so delighted to watch this video as I too have walked in many a woods all over Michigan and heard this sparrows captivating song. Today you put a name on them. Thank you! Your birding hobby has delighted many of us who can’t get to the woods consistently any longer. We are so happy for you. Enjoy and keep sharing!
My wife and I got into bird watching, and feeding wild birds last spring. We have put out several feeders now. We saw our first white throated sparrow last weekend. We have really been enjoying these wild birds. Thank you for your videos, we enjoy watching them.
Every winter I look forward to these little sparrows showing up here in St. Louis Missouri. I have regularly had at least one coming to my feeder but to my surprise today I had three! Love these guys...
Oh, Ah- ah- ah! - U hav 2 Bluejays on yr hands! - I held a Scrub Jay once after I saved him from inside a laundromat. After he flew into the glass, I scooped him up into a towel, brought him outside and unwrapped him on top of my car, perching him on my hand. Bluey and I were friends for years, he raised his family by me and called to me to bring him treats. - * My mystery bird in the Oregon woods turned out to be Swainson's Thrush - what an unusual sound that is!
We have a white-throated sparrow who stops by the back of our Brooklyn apartment building every late winter/!early spring. He (?) and his compatriots fill the Gowanus/ Park Slope neighborhood with their beautiful songs on an annual basis, and thanks to you, Bird Nerd, we finally know who/ what he is. Can’t wait for him to come back!
We enjoy White-throated Sparrows here in central Pennsylvania from October - May. I take good care of them. The ones that come to my yard get their own Christmas tree, and i feed a variety of foods from unsalted peanuts, sunflower, to millet and other grains. They are my favorite sparrow.
So sweet! Thank you for taking care of these beauties!!
30 years ago I would leave Indiana and drive to the Boundary waters in Canada for a week long canoe/fishing/camping trip. Just a breath taking place to see the stars and Northern lights. One day silently paddling into a stream, I heard the this beautiful bird. Is was so loud and clear I thought it was a joke or my buddy was whistling. Never could see it but was blessed with it all week. About to two years ago I started hearing them here back in IN. I go through 200 pounds or more of various bird seeds bags a year from watching birds most of my life. Finally! After many searches I know now the name of my most adored song bird. At my funeral I hope someone will play this bird sound softly over the PA system. Thank you for sharing this video!
I have been feeding mine for 20 years. They leave in late May singing a happy song. Then I’m happy to see him in October singing a sadder song. But I feed them real good so they can make it back to Canada
What a enjoyable wonderful story about your beloved White Throated Sparrow friends
I'm so happy to have found this page, you're love for birds is contagious. Thank you for posting these videos.
These are my favorite! They are all over our favorite campground and when I hear them it's instant peace. My favorite is at dusk when they all call to each other. I was lucky to have one or two in my yard this spring while they were migrating north.
Great story! I saw white throated sparrows at my feeder for the first time today. And I am happy to finally know what species sings that beautiful song I have loved for years. Another one of God's beautiful creatures. :)
It's beautiful how a bird song can take us back to our childhood. With me it's a mourning dove.
thanks Lesley. i am blessed by your life with birds and offer you my blessing in return.
I totally understand how you'd be captivated with this little bird's song. My mom, my aunt and uncle, and I had been hearing these little guys for several days, and like you, we couldn't see who was singing. So, I googled different bird songs until I was finally able to identify them. Funnily enough, my aunt and uncle were able to ID them at the same time.
Since then, I've had the fortune of finally being able to see these cuties, now that I know what to look for. It's always amazing when you're finally able to recognize birds from memory.
I have tried for years to find the bird making this beautiful song. This Fall I made work of it to find this bird. Everyone I asked did not know. I listened to all the bird sounds in Southern Manitoba. Then I found it--a beautiful bird!!
I feed a dozen house sparrows around my house. I am always amazed by them. Whatever be the day good or bad they are always excited. Nothing makes them dull or upset. Beautiful clip :)
I'll say it again, You are one of the luckiest people to have such lovely friends. God bless you and your feathered buddies.
Thank you for sharing your lovely story😍. Yes we’ll take care of all the wild birds visiting our backyard as best we can!!🥰. Your videos uplift me so much, and teach me about these wonderful creatures💖
Thanks again for another amazing and educational video, Lesley! Such beautiful voices on these pretty birds!
You are very welcome :)
Thanks so much for the nice comment and for watching.
You're a blessing! Your story brought tears to my eyes. Love how you connect with the birds. Thank you for sharing your kindness.
Such a heartwarming story. I grew up with a pet green african singing finch, and we shared a great friendship. He only entrusted upon me the right to pet his belly feathers.
Another unforgettable experience for me was in 2010 when I was walking on Mont Royal in Montreal. I was gifted a rare moment when there were no other people around, and many black-capped chickadees surrounding me in the small forest's southeastern edge. I decided to stay still and hold up my hands, in a sense trying to mimic the shape of a tree. Within ten minutes of holding this posture, several of the chickadees had gotten as close as they could to me while still perching on twigs and branches. Then one of them took the chance and landed on my left hand! Three others soon joined. They remained perched there on my hands, as if expecting food to magically materialize, but I had no gifts to share, unfortunately. They didn't seem to mind though, and just spent some time standing there, toes wrapped around my fingers. But as a pedestrian finally approached, they decided that this was too much and flew back to the maple branches.
As I've always adored and felt connected to our avian friends (well, maybe not as a teenager, when their 5:00am singing practice would daily rouse me out from sleep), this experience was, for me, monumental, and I won't ever forget it. Seeing all of the different species interacting with you is really fascinating, and reminded me of that memory!
Discovering Lesley The Bird Nerd is not unlike discovering a Gemstone in a heap of dust! I am riveted to my computer, watching video after video and think I've learned more about Birds in the past few days than in all the years I've been interested. The World of Ornithology should be deeply grateful for her incredible work that offers a rare glimpse revealing a different view of Birds far beyond mere facts. Thank you Lesley for these wonderful videos & stories that share such intimate relationships few Humans could boast of or even perchance to Dream.
I too have been struck by the magic of a white-throated sparrow. For about the past ten years I've tried to get to an area in northern Michigan or Ontario in late April or early May, during migration. Sometimes I manage to get up there, sometimes not. A few years ago during such a trip I drove to a favorite spot near Lake Michigan where a favorite trail starts. When I stepped out of the car I was intrigued by the song of a bird just above me in a tree. I watched him for the longest time, enjoying his beauty and the lovely song. He really made my day. Of course this was a white-throated sparrow, and I've loved them ever since.
I really enjoyed your story!
Such a pleasant soothing soft narrative voice and a superior informative documentation; all combined with excellent video taping and editing. Simply heartwarming video of these precious aerial darlings. Thank you Leslie for all your efforts from the lower 48.
Loved this sweet stories. Sweet Whitie, Jackie, Joe and friends. 💛
LeslieI have enjoyed your sweet videos on birds so much. I appreciate your tenderness and gentleness with them. Alas, I am not in a position to financially help you , but I can recommend you to others. Thank you for taking time to share your love of these special creations of our Lord.
I am joyed to bear witness to such a genuine story.
Discovered these little guys this last fall
and winter in Pennsylvania in the US. I was transfixed when I heard them the first time. ❤️
Birds are so cool. I just started feeding birds last summer and through this winter. They really helped me through a rough depression I was in for almost a year. I bought a feeder for a friend who deals with depression also and she seemed to really enjoy them too. I have a cardinal family that hangs around. My neighbor down the road gets flocks of them. There is nothing more magical than seeing 20+ cardinals in a snow covered tree in the dead of winter.
You're Awesome.... and so are your sparrows !!!❤❤❤❤❤
I'm in England and am just beginning to learn about American and Canadian birds. I very much enjoyed your film, thank you very much for the pleasure it gave me.
We just got our white throated sparrows a month ago (new york). I’m so pleased to see them, and now I feel like I know so much more about them!
One of my favorite birds- they love to sing with you and they're so sweet-we have been feeding families of white-throated sparrows for generations- maybe your Whitey decided to stay in New York -I would like to think so. They love to stay with the family of juncos and chickadees in our woods
FINALLY!!!! THAT IS IT!!!!! I have looked and looked for the bird making this high pitched song! I also remember hearing this song also as a child and wanted to know who made it!!!! This morning I’m hearing it again and found that chickadees make a similar but not the same! THANK YOU!!!!! I’m so happy to finally know! I feed them on the ground along with the doves, junko, etc. The sparrows love this wood stick bramble we made when we had to cut some of our trees! Since you are a bird nerd, I have something exciting this year!!! I live in Memphis Tn and I have a male vibrant orange bullocks oriole who I first saw at my feeder in January!! I was so surprised!!!!! When he came back for my homemade suet I looked up his habits and found that I am WAY OUT OF RANGE for his winter migration!!! They usually go way south Mexico, southern Texas California, etc. I am getting so sad thinking of him leaving soon! We had some awful cold temps here this winter but he survived!!!! My parents both passed away last year and I felt God sent me this special bird just to brighten my winter!!!! What do you think the reason might be for him being so far away from normal migration?
I loved your story. I first noticed their haunting, lonely, sad, beautiful song a few years ago. It's such a wonderful song.
I know this was posted a year ago, but I’m just now watching. Anyway as soon as I heard that song, it sent me back to my childhood on my grandparents farm where I spent my summers. Never knew that’s what that bird was. I haven’t heard that sound in decades. Thank you! Lovely memories.🤗
They chase you! I'm so envious. I keep trying to get my feathered friends to eat from my hand. Occasionally a brave little chickadee will honour me, but the blue jays ALWAYS wait until I turn my back to return to the house, and then they move in and grab what I dumped in the feeder. Haven't seen any white throated sparrows here, but do have lots of song sparrows - but they don't chase after me! Another great video, Lesley.
Such beautiful creatures
and yes, their call is pure magic
I'm in the UP of Michigan. These little friends come by and I finally heard their calls just a few days ago. I can do one of their calls and I love hearing them and getting responses to my own calls!
This video is amazing plz make more
I live in New Jersey and I go out photographing birds year round, several times per week. I really enjoy the white throated sparrows in the winter here. Actually they arrive in the fall, as they are already here and I’ve been photographing them.
Thats so precious 😭
I have a partial albino (white head) white throated sparrow who has been visiting and staying at my home in Manchester, TN all summer. He is so vocal!
I'm in Texas and I just noticed today at my feeders there were about 12 sparrows! I saw only 2 or 3 this past week but today, wow it was like they all arrived! They were so cute and hungry. I had put alot of shelled peanuts and a mixture of seeds on the ground under my feeders, they seem to love eating on the ground . You are right Leslie, one or two (or more) just might be some that you have been feeding also. I'm taking really good care of them! ❤😊
"followed by sparrows" ! You're like Cinderella 😊💕
I heard these sparrows often in Algonquin Park (Ontario). My friends and I used to think they were singing Sweeeeeeeet Canada Canada Canada. Lovely birds with a beautiful song.
Thank you Lesley the Bird Nerd. I believe that I have have told you before of my low vision. I am 1/2 a line below legally blind, not Blind Blind bumping into things but very poor vision and your videos help me to see the birds better. I live on Maryland's Eastern Shore and in December and January notice the Sparrows and your videos help me see them better. So! Thank you again.
Hearing their song takes me back to when I was young growing up in southern New York and hearing that song! Never know what kind of bird is was singing it or ever saw the that was singing it! Watching this video brought a smile to my face remembering those days of no real responsibilities and just running around in the woods around our house exploring and having fun!😆
What a charming story! Our W-T S's hang out at our feeder area all winter here in Southern Maine. I love them. Their song is the best.
Last year no White-Throated Sparrows. This year they’re abundant. I like them very much. They just seem so positive.
Isnt it touching how animals will share a friendship with us!
Your AWESOME Lesley ❤
Awesome story! You truly are the bird whisperer! You have a wonderful way of telling your story with video and narration. How wonderful too that you knew at a young age how important birds are and continued your interest. Your vids just brighten my day! XO