Surrey Wildlife Trust - House sparrows
Above: The humble house sparrow is now on the Government’s ‘at risk’ register (Photo by David Cary)
Stop and think for a moment; when was the last time you saw a house sparrow? It is surprisingly easy for us in our busy lives not to see changes in the natural world around us, and, sadly, these wonderfully plucky birds are yet another British species now at risk. In Surrey alone, the RSPB Garden Watch has shown that numbers recorded since 1991 have halved, following noted declines in the 70s and 80s.
The tragedy, of course, is that house sparrows are so very intricately linked with man and his activities; no suitable buildings and no nearby food supply – no house sparrows. But why, particularly in Surrey, have things become so tough for sparrows? There is no simple answer to this but rather a complex web of reasons not fully understood.
For a start, changes in building design and materials (such as plastic fascia boards replacing wooden ones) and our compulsion to tidy up have greatly reduced possible nest sites. Unlike most other “common” birds, house sparrows are totally dependant on man-made structures for nest sites.
Unusually, they have also evolved to tolerate and thrive on nesting close to each other. In fact, house sparrows like to do everything as a boisterous noisy gang! Feeding, bathing and roosting are nearly always done as a chattering group. Hence, where they do still occur, we can be given the false impression that they are still numerous whilst forgetting it may be some miles before we encounter any more.
Changes in agricultural practices and the reduction in the growing of cereals throughout Surrey in particular have also greatly reduced readily available food. Winter stubble near farms or the urban fringe is now hardly ever seen in the county. Plus, lack of mobility, compared say to starlings, has further handicapped sparrows. They need their food and nest sites to be very close together.
On a more historic note, it is speculated that the past decline in urban house sparrows may be partly due to the cessation of horse transport. No urban stables has meant a consequent removal of a major food source (hay and the seeds it contains) – both pre horse consumption and post!
Please don’t blame the decline on the usual suspects. Sparrowhawks do not feed exclusively on sparrows! And magpies, while they still remain a threat to eggs and young sparrows in the nest, have great difficulty in getting through small gaps if the nest is under the eaves of a roof.
So now we know a bit about the reasons behind the sparrow’s decline, what can we do to help? Well, firstly, if you have them near, simply look after them. If house sparrows nest on or in your property then consider any building improvements carefully. Can you leave them access to a nest site? If not, can you provide another? If you see house sparrows in your garden, perhaps you could consider providing a communal nest box?
House sparrows are an unappreciated joy. In many ways, their gregarious behaviour and constant chatter mimics that of us humans they depend on.
On a final note, I would like to share some of my 40 years worth of experience. As a ten-year-old, I discovered that house sparrows definitely prefer to rip up yellow crocuses in preference to purple or white ones. You have been warned!
For your informationSurrey Wildlife Trust, School Lane, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0JN.
Tel: 01483 795440
Website:
www.surreywildlifetrust.orgEmail:
info@surreywt.org.uk