The Decline Of The Sparrow

[nightshade]

I have been making a point of feeding Sparrows since I realised the noisey,boisterous,little blighters had gone missing from my immediate neighbourhood,I now have 30-40 turn up a day, though none have nested here yet
The decline is due for a large part in the popularity for low maintainence
gardens which result in wildlife deserts (see my earlier tirades)To have birds come to your gardens you must supply what They need, tempering it with what you want.
Sparrows need insects to feed their young early on and then a steady supply of grain and seeds to supplement their diet.Plant an apple tree, a hazel bush in a tub, better still, as big a run of native hedging as your garden will allow
3-4 plants,up to 30,would cost you around 80p per plant £3.20-£24 for bare root hazel,alder,hawthorn,dog rose etc.
Plant wildlife seed mixes,to attract different insects to feed a whole host of wildlife
I get around 20 different types of bird in my garden since I incorporated cottage style native planting into my garden plan (plus a water source)
and It really all started because I missed The Sparrows

[Helen]

There is strong evidence the decline in sparrows may be due to a lack of insects. A lady by the name of Kate Vincent, a postgraduate researcher has been researching this, and her thesis is available on her website

"Investigating the causes of the decline of the urban House Sparrow population in Britain".

[Jo Pedder]

I've often felt that their decline is also related to people tidying up houses:

I was doing a survey of some residential properties and spoke to one gentleman who told us of how the street took action against starlings roosting in their roofs and on guttering etc by blocking up all the holes and putting up mesh around perches. In the next breath he moaned about how they don’t see as many sparrows as they used to and he really missed them!!!

[Helen]

Indeed Jo. I wonder, too, how much of the decline in insects is down to "over-zealous" gardeners nuking everything in sight with wings?

[scholesy]

I’ve had a little look at the thesis, but at 300+ pages, I’ll give it a miss. There is a small article on the RSPB website concerning the findings in this these;

http://http://www.rspb.org.uk/action...dlygardens.asp

Every time I hear about the decline of the house sparrow, it being one of Bill Oddie’s fave topics, I’m always a little surprised. There seems to be no sign of a decline in my area. In the Leeds area in general, sparrows are always plentiful, and I often get 20-30 at a time in my small inner-city garden, as they feed and breed in colonies.

Is this decline more prevalent in particular areas of the country, such as the South?
Or is the sparrow situation my surrounding area an exception?

Is there anyone out there who has a similar situation to me, where there doesn’t seem to be a marked decline in house sparrow numbers at all?

[Eileen]

I'm so glad that I have a completely organic garden (1/3 of an acre) geared towards wildlife as I have thirty types of birds that visit my garden. I have a healthy population of house and hedge sparrows which breed successfully every year. I would hate to see them decline in our area as I've always had a soft spot for these endearing little birds - even if they do tear my primroses to shreds!!

[wildone]

House Sparrows numbers are certainly in decline especially in the Royal Parks in London. ( Which is where the name Cockney Sparrow came from). However I understand that there is some improvement in Tree Sparrow numbers. Certainly locally in southern England.

[glsammy]

For years we had "lost" our House Sparrows and indeed Starlings as well. This year we've managed to get back a little group of 6 Sparrows, that feed daily from our hangers.
Starlings are still nowhere to be seen, and are missed.

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by scholesy

I’ve had a little look at the thesis, but at 300+ pages, I’ll give it a miss. There is a small article on the RSPB website concerning the findings in this these;

http://http://www.rspb.org.uk/action...dlygardens.asp

Every time I hear about the decline of the house sparrow, it being one of Bill Oddie’s fave topics, I’m always a little surprised. There seems to be no sign of a decline in my area. In the Leeds area in general, sparrows are always plentiful, and I often get 20-30 at a time in my small inner-city garden, as they feed and breed in colonies.

Is this decline more prevalent in particular areas of the country, such as the South?
Or is the sparrow situation my surrounding area an exception?

Is there anyone out there who has a similar situation to me, where there doesn’t seem to be a marked decline in house sparrow numbers at all?

Plenty of sparrows in my garden in the south east................Jon

[nightshade]

Too many new barge boards and soffits in plastic,old nest sites sealed off,trees and shrubs replaced with gravel ,decking and blue wash
very little does well in a fashionable desert