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House sparrow decline stabilises, figures show House sparrow decline stabilises, figures show
(35 minutes later)
The long-term decline in UK house sparrow numbers appears to have levelled off, new figures showed on Tuesday. The decline in UK house sparrow numbers appears to have levelled off, new figures showed on Tuesday.
Populations of house sparrows across the UK have fallen from around 12 million British pairs in the 1970s to between six and seven million pairs today, with a greater reduction in urban and rural areas compared with suburban ones. Populations of house sparrows across the UK have fallen from around 12 million British pairs in the 1970s to between 6 and 7million pairs today, with a greater reduction in urban and rural areas compared with suburban ones.
But the latest data from the British Trust for Ornithology's (BTO) Garden BirdWatch, a "citizen science" survey where birdwatchers and householders monitor gardens across the country each week throughout the year, suggests that the decline in gardens has stabilised since 2009.But the latest data from the British Trust for Ornithology's (BTO) Garden BirdWatch, a "citizen science" survey where birdwatchers and householders monitor gardens across the country each week throughout the year, suggests that the decline in gardens has stabilised since 2009.
A graph from the BTO shows that in 1995, the percentage of gardens reporting one or more house sparrow was about 80%. This fell steadily to 60% in 2009, and has remained at the same rate since.
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/>"It's too soon to say that they are increasing but the decline has definitely levelled off since 2009 and hopefully this means they'll start to increase again," said Clare Simm, BTO's Garden BirdWatch development officer. 		Figures from the trust show that in 1995, the percentage of gardens reporting one or more house sparrow was about 80%. This fell steadily to 60% in 2009, and has remained at the same rate since.
The house sparrow is a "red-listed" conservation species that has been in long-term decline, particularly in urban and suburban environments: greater London lost seven out of 10 sparrows between 1994 and 2001. And the downturn has not been equal across the UK, with greater loss in England than Scotland and Wales. "It's too soon to say that they are increasing but the decline has definitely levelled off since 2009 and hopefully this means they'll start to increase again," said Clare Simm, BTO's Garden BirdWatch development officer.
Experts believe there are a number of reasons for the decline – and why it may have slowed. The house sparrow is a "red-listed" conservation species that has been in long-term decline, particularly in urban and suburban environments: greater London lost 70% of its sparrows between 1994 and 2001. And the downturn has not been equal across the UK, with greater loss in England than Scotland and Wales.
House sparrow populations across Britain have been hit by a loss of nesting sites and food sources, particularly a lack of insects to feed their young. Experts believe there are a number of reasons for the decline – and why it may have slowed. House sparrow populations across Britain have been hit by a loss of nesting sites and food sources, particularly a lack of insects to feed their young.
In rural areas, changes in farming practices are thought to have affected house sparrows. But in urban and suburban areas the causes have been more complex, with everything from cats to air pollution and pesticides being blamed.In rural areas, changes in farming practices are thought to have affected house sparrows. But in urban and suburban areas the causes have been more complex, with everything from cats to air pollution and pesticides being blamed.
Simm said: "This complexity is also reflected in the factors that are driving the change in this delightful bird's fortunes. We are a nation of wildlife lovers and more people are now managing their gardens for wildlife, which will be benefitting our house sparrows. There is also a greater awareness of clean feeding stations and in reducing garden pesticide use. The combination of these factors could be helping the house sparrow to maintain its population." Simm said: "This complexity is also reflected in the factors that are driving the change in this delightful bird's fortunes. We are a nation of wildlife lovers and more people are now managing their gardens for wildlife, which will be benefitting our house sparrows.
But this news does not necessarily mean that house sparrows are out of danger, as the turning point has only occurred in the last few years, the BTO warned. "There is also a greater awareness of clean feeding stations and in reducing garden pesticide use. The combination of these factors could be helping the house sparrow to maintain its population."
But this does not necessarily mean that house sparrows are out of danger, as the turning point has only occurred in the last few years, the BTO warned.
The organisation has recommended five simple things gardeners can do to encourage house sparrows:The organisation has recommended five simple things gardeners can do to encourage house sparrows:
• Let an area of your garden go wild to encourage insects;• Let an area of your garden go wild to encourage insects;
• Plant species such as hawthorn and ivy which provide thick vegetation for sparrows to hide in;• Plant species such as hawthorn and ivy which provide thick vegetation for sparrows to hide in;
• Provide your birds with a home, using either a house sparrow terrace or a group of nest boxes (with 32mm entrance holes) near the eaves of your house;• Provide your birds with a home, using either a house sparrow terrace or a group of nest boxes (with 32mm entrance holes) near the eaves of your house;
• If you feed your birds, provide them with a suitable seed mix that includes large grains;• If you feed your birds, provide them with a suitable seed mix that includes large grains;
• Regularly clean your feeding stations to prevent disease.• Regularly clean your feeding stations to prevent disease.
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