CHIRPY FRIEND DISAPPEARING

by Dansk 6 Replies latest jw friends

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  Dansk

  This is sad news but, thankfully, I still have them in my garden

  Dansk

  Last Updated: Thursday, 10 July, 2003, 14:55 GMT 15:55 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Sparrows leave the cities Picture courtesy Steve Knell There are huge variations in sparrow numbers across the UK In detail The population of sparrows is falling in UK cities with numbers thought to have halved in the past 25 years, a new survey reveals. The study, conducted in gardens across the country, found Lincoln had the highest proportion of sparrows while London had the lowest. About 250,000 households across the UK took part in the survey conducted by The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). They counted the number of sparrows in their gardens between 3 May and 11 May, during the bird's breeding season. The population is thought to have slumped to between six and seven million pairs since a high of 12 million in the early 1970s League table The survey found an average of 7.3 sparrows were seen at homes where food was provided year-round, but the average fell to only 3.8 at homes where food was not provided. In Lincoln, there were 9.41 sparrows per garden compared to 4.53 in London, bottom of the RSPB's league table. Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Liverpool also recorded low numbers. If you do have house sparrows we urge you to look after them Richard Bashford RSPB Richard Bashford, RSPB house sparrow survey co-ordinator, said: "This survey gives us a better idea of where house sparrows are in the UK. In turn this should help us to identify the factors behind the decline." The survey was carried out by the RSPB after reports a few years ago that numbers were falling. This prompted the RSPB to organise a pilot survey in London in 2002 which showed a large decline in the "cockney sparrow". Mystery decline However, studies over the past 25 years have shown the bird's population has more than halved. The results of this latest survey will be used to help piece together the reasons behind the decline of house sparrows, but to also offer guidance to people wanting to help them. 1950s UK house sparrow population estimated at 9.5 million pairs Increased to 12 million by early 1970s, then declined Population crashed during the 1990s and now stands at six to seven million pairs Now red listed as a species of high conservation concern > Mr Bashford said: "Now that we've established the pattern of house sparrow distribution, we want to look in more detail at what factors are responsible for the variations. "Once you've lost house sparrows it's not easy to encourage them back as we know they tend to stay within a mile or so of where they hatched. "However, they are thought to have three basic requirements to keep populations healthy: nesting sites, adult food, which is a year round supply of seeds, and chick food, consisting of a range of small insects. "So if you do have house sparrows we urge you to look after them." The RSPB has a simple three point plan to help house sparrows: Put up nest boxes. Many new houses and home improvements have restricted the number of suitable nooks and crannies for house sparrows to nest in Feed sparrows throughout the year and supply clean water. They feed mainly on seeds, especially cereal grain, but also seeds of grasses, polygonums, mouse-ear and chickweed Leave wild, weedy or shrubby areas in the garden that provide a natural seed source and supply of small insects
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  mouthy

  Oh that is a sorry event- Lovely to hear the birds each day!!!
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  acsot

  That's really sad; I had no idea, seeing as how many sparrows are in my backyard. I have a small fir tree in the back yard that's like Sparrow Spa - a bit of bird seed every few days and they come from all over the neighbourhood!
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  Shutterbug

  We have a bird feeder which stands some 8 feet off of the ground and attracts several different typel of birds including sparrows. We started noticing that some types of birds were eating the grains of food that fell to the ground from the feeder, so now we scatter feed on the ground and, at times, that area seems to be covered up with sparrows. We also get Doves and bluejays feeding on the ground.

  Thanks for the tips, going to get some bird houses and some type of bird bath for the little critters. Bug
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  Nathan Natas

  It has been confirmed that West Nile virus has been found in dead birds in the Pacific Northwest - we may find many of our feathered friends do not survive the summer. It is sad, but this is part of the tao of evolution on planet earth. Some birds, of course, will survive, and their genes will be passed into the future, just as the essence of some adaptable dinosaurs gave us the songbirds of today.

  Some years ago I made a little discovery that just amazed me. Health food stores sell "psyllium seed" as a natural laxative. I wondered what the psyllium plant looked like, so I bought an ounce of the seeds and planted them in a window box on the balcony of my apartment. A short while after the sprouts emerged, a flotilla of sparrows arrived to take advantage of this "salad bar," and they were nearly frantic in their enthusiam to devour the entire crop of psyllium. It was very entertaining to watch, and I didn't mind at all that I had to sweep up all the dirt that the birdies has moved from the windowbox to all over the balcony. I can't begrudge a bird being true to his bird-nature.
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  Undecided

  I have bunches of birds in my yard. Blue Jays, Cardinals, Robbins, Wrens, Black birds, Mocking Birds, Wood Peckers, several varieties of those small pretty Finches. It's interesting to listen to the many songs they sing. I don't like washing the crap off my car though, but it's worth the trouble.

  Ken P.
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  RAYZORBLADE

  You know Dansk, the irony is, the common house sparrow, introduced in North America 100s of years ago, sure has a solid footing here. I'm sure they number in the 10s of millions. You can add in Pigeons and Starlings, which were introduced to North America by Europeans.

  We do have our own indigenous sparrow species (savannah sparrows, chipping sparrows, etc.) that live in both North and South America.

  There's no doubt, even here in the Great Lakes region of North America, that some of our most beloved songbirds have declined in numbers, which you know, breaks my heart.

  On a positive note, there are organizations here in Canada, I know for sure in the U.S.A., that strive to protect and assist native species on an on-going basis: nesting boxes, protective places for birds (out of harms way of cats and other animals) and protecting areas that are sensitive to the survival of these species (too numerous to name).

  Every morning, lucky me, I hear my favourite male cardinal. He sings his little heart out, occasionally giving Baby (my parakeet) something to mimic. I hear all sorts of birds, and once in awhile, I'll get a real treat and see orioles, goldfinches, buntings, mourning doves and of course, the saucy blue jay.

  I have to admit, I do have a weakness for birds. I do have my favourites of course, and I tolerate sea gulls and exotic species: starlings, pigeons and sparrows.

  Yes, I'm sure in the U.K. it would be cause for concern, as the species you mention Dansk are indeed native to your country. I don't blame you.

  Maybe, and hopefully, it's just a low cycle of reproduction in the species.

  Let's hope for the best.