Blue Dykie

Sorry apologies for lapsing into my "native language" (Cumbrian Dialect).   Hedge Sparrows (Prunella modularis) were always called Blue Dykies when I was growing up.  I have always assumed Blue for the stunning colour of their eggs and of course a dyke in Cumbrian is a hedge, except when it is dry stean, then it would be a Wor.

They are birds which spend most of their time low down,  in cover apart from in spring when the "song post" on the very top of a shrub/small tree in their territory.  They are really not sparrows at all they are accentors, in English they are more commonly called Dunnocks these days..

From a conservation point of view they are a little concerning as there has been a slight drop in population in recent years.  They aren't in general long lived the average being two years, so one year growing up and one year breeding.  Poor breeding seasons will soon be reflected in a population.   The record age proved by ringing is 11 years 4 months 7 days.  That record is over half a century old.