In Reply to: bell ringing posted by philip r on January 13, 2008 at 18:52:38:

In fairness it was quite a cruel thing to do to the poor wrens, how many were killed in the process of being captured.

The reality is that kids nowadays are far better off than to have to go begging door to door and when people are so wrapped up in their own lives that they don't know their own neighbours it's a brave parent that would let their kids wander from house to house not knowing who lives within.

Still I'm sure BirdWatch Ireland would be delighted of the few bob that you had put aside for the Wren Boys, at least they are doing their bit in trying to preserve wild areas for our feathered friends - with their help maybe the poor little wren will become a bit more prevalent in the future.

• http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/