Shortage of House Sparrows

big bill · #1 (**permalink**) 21-01-2011, 04:57 PM

Since the houses her had the roofs cleaned and new guttering and facings around the eves replaced last August whilst sitting in the garden today and with the garden Bird watch coming up .
I noticed that there has been a drastic decline in numbers of House sparrowsthey used to be at the feeders all the time but now you hardly see them plenty of Chaffinchs and others Finch specis and Tits but no House Sparrows .
Question could the removal of the guttering and facing have disturved ther roosting spaces as the used to go under the eves alot but all null and void now?

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 21-01-2011, 04:59 PM

Yes you are right. Also lack of insects, loss of hedges, pollution... the list goes on and is being studied by various conservation bodies.

big bill · #3 (**permalink**) 21-01-2011, 05:08 PM

No matter what time of the year up here always had a lot of House sparrows staying and feeding at the feeders but since the council carried out this work noticed this past couple of weeks the lack of House Sparrows and was wondering if there was a conection to the work seeing they always fed at feeders.

actionfinch · #4 (**permalink**) 21-01-2011, 06:37 PM

Only had 2 in my garden for a period of time, but quarter of a mile away there is a small flock , which i enjoy looking at when i take the dog for a walk.

I remember seeing loads when i was younger , living at home

.
bring back the sparrow.

SheffieldLass · #5 (**permalink**) 21-01-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big bill

No matter what time of the year up here always had a lot of House sparrows staying and feeding at the feeders but since the council carried out this work noticed this past couple of weeks the lack of House Sparrows and was wondering if there was a conection to the work seeing they always fed at feeders.

Could well be the work has done that. You say that they used to go under the tiles before the work, but that they don't appear to be doing so now. In which case I think you should contact both the housing repair section of the council and their ecology section expressing your concern (and make sure that each knows you have contacted the other). If the council are doing this over many of their estates then the effect on house sparrows could be severe, and they are a red data species now, and there should be a local BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) for them. So the council really should be making sure that their repair work is properly designed and specified to not excluding sparrows from where they used to roost and nest.

~T~ · #6 (**permalink**) 22-01-2011, 03:07 PM

Theres not really great nesting sites round my way really but theres always plenty of sparrows around. Just now theres a flock of maybe 20 sitting in the trees beind my back fence waiting patiently for a cat to pass through the gardens so they can return to mine and my neighbours feeders. There are some old folks homes not too far away that seem to have good nesting sites for sparrows and starlings.

rossy · #7 (**permalink**) 23-01-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big bill

Since the houses her had the roofs cleaned and new guttering and facings around the eves replaced last August whilst sitting in the garden today and with the garden Bird watch coming up .
I noticed that there has been a drastic decline in numbers of House sparrowsthey used to be at the feeders all the time but now you hardly see them plenty of Chaffinchs and others Finch specis and Tits but no House Sparrows .
Question could the removal of the guttering and facing have disturved ther roosting spaces as the used to go under the eves alot but all null and void now?

yes bill without a shadow of a doubt, the work that had been carried out is the reason, same as when new houses , flats , buildings are built , the little fellows have nowhere to nest, roost so they have to move on, but if the council were to put sparrow terraces up chances are they will return in time, its a problem, and these sparrows need as much help as they can get rossy.

big bill · #8 (**permalink**) 24-01-2011, 05:21 PM

THanks guys for the replies much appreciated will contact council and see what the say,dony hold out much hope though they are an arrogant crowd.

The firm that was carrying out the work Connaught went into liquidation and still waiting for council to re-instate all the fencing that was takinh down and to finishing off sealing the external cladding with silicone this is all since last August /Sept they just dont give a Toss

But will try anyway