In my childhood sparrows were one of the commonest small birds. Their easy companionable chatter just a part of everyday life. Some ten years ago or so I began to notice that I hardly ever saw one and their demise as a family has been noted by various wildlife groups. 
So it gives me great satisfaction to have a small flock using the hedge that borders my front garden as one of their flock sites. This morning as the sun was shining a male and female were gently chirruping to each other in the elder tree on the opposite side. Things like this make me feel like life is more than well worth living.