Species Action Plan

House Sparrow
The house sparrow, once more cockney than the cockneys, is now a rarity in
London (Tony Blair, 2000)
I call these my chickens, and Im obliged to come every day to feed
them, said a paralytic-looking white-haired old man in the shabbiest
clothes, one evening as I stood there; then taking some fragments of
stale bread from his pockets, he began feeding the sparrows, and while
doing so, he chuckled with delight, and looked round from time to time
to see if others were enjoying the spectacle. (WH Hudson, 1898)
Aims
Raise awareness of the need for biodiversit conservation b focussin! attention
on the decline in the house sparrow and its i"portance as a cultural e"ble"#
$stablish the cause(s) of decline in the population of house sparrows and, if
possible, underta%e "easures to reverse the decline#
Introduction
&ntil about ten ears a!o, the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) was one of the
co""onest birds in 'ondon and was one of the "ost nu"erous and re!ular visitors to
!arden bird tables# (he )*oc%ne sparrer+ has alwas been a fir" favourite with
'ondoners, reflectin! its livel social behaviour and relativel ta"e nature# ,n Hudson+s
da, sparrows had been present b the thousand in the par%s of central 'ondon#
However, on 1- Septe"ber .---, a 'ondon /atural Histor Societ )0ird Wal%+ around
Hde Par% and 1ensin!ton 2ardens failed to find a sin!le one#
The house sparrows distribution is related to the pattern of human settlement. As a native species
it etends from !orth Africa, throu"hout #urope and $entral Asia and northwards beyond the
Arctic $ircle. %t has also become established in a number of other countries as a result of
introduction by man.
&ouse sparrows have traditionally ta'en bread and scraps from "arden bird tables as well as the
seeds of "rasses and flowers in par's and "ardens, brownfield sites or road and railside land.
(hen feedin" youn", insects such as aphids and caterpillars are a more important part of its diet.
The birds nest mainly in buildin"s ) in roofs, crac's and crevices ) or amon"st creepers on walls
and sometimes in dense shrubbery or trees. *nder "ood conditions, sparrows can raise up to five
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broods per year, althou"h two or three is more typical.
The house sparrow is "enerally re"arded as sedentary, althou"h some local movements occur. %n
rural areas, the birds traditionally move off to the cornfields after the end of the breedin" season.
+easonal chan"es in ,ondon indicate similar dispersal, probably in search of autumn seed (Ba'er
-./0).
Current Status
There is much evidence that this once abundant bird has declined dramatically in recent years )
as outlined below. %t is now common 'nowled"e that house sparrows have disappeared, or
become far less common, in many places where they were formerly abundant. This applies both
in the centre of ,ondon and many of the suburbs, as well as some of the surroundin" towns and
indeed a number of cities in other parts of the country such as Bristol and #dinbur"h. 1or many
years, the house sparrow received rather little attention from the scientific community. %t seemed
to be so common that its survival could be ta'en for "ranted. 2ery few observers have maintained
records over a lon" time scale, and these have usually been as part of more "eneral bird
monitorin" pro"rammes. +ome of this data is now provin" invaluable in tracin" the species
decline.
The issue has attracted media attention and fre3uent in3uiries from the "eneral public. 4n -
5ecember -..0 a 3uestion was put in the &ouse of ,ords Whether there has been a reduction in
the numbers of sparrows in London; if so, to what is this reduction attributed? The %ndependent
(-6.6.00) offered a 76,000 reward to anyone who could solve the mystery of the disappearin"
house sparrow.
3.2.1 Surveys based on London or other cities
A series of late autumn bird counts has been carried out in 8ensin"ton 9ardens, datin" bac' to
the -.20s (!icholson -..6). %n -.26, 2,:0; birds were recorded, but by -.</ the count had
fallen to //6= this first decline has been attributed to the withdrawal of horse>drawn traffic,
with its associated "rain supply. 1or the net 20>;0 years, the records su""est a continuin"
althou"h less clear>cut decline, but then a far sharper decline from 6<< birds in -.06 to ?ust
/- in -..6, indicatin" a fall of around /6@ at some time between -.06 and -..6. Aust /
birds were recorded in the 4ctober 2000 autumn bird count.
A survey of house sparrows in "ardens has been carried out by &elen Ba'er of the ,ondon
!atural &istory +ociety since -..6, based upon wee'ly counts. The "eneral trend is for a
decrease in floc' siBe, fewer "ardens with ten or more fled"lin"s and an increase in the
number of "ardens where no fled"lin"s or indeed no sparrows at all have been seen. (Ba'er,
publication epected 200<)
A recent study at (imbledon Car' in south>west ,ondon by 5ave 5awson, based on D+tandard
(al' methodolo"y, has documented a .6@ decline in house sparrows since -./.
(5awson, unpublished).
A decline of almost ./@ has been observed in suburban 9las"ow, from <.. birdsEha in -.6. to
less than 0.- per ha in -..0 (+ummers>+mith -...). A recent lac' of lar"e fora"in" floc's
on ripenin" "rain fields in late summer has been noted.
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3.2.2. Evidence from national surveys
The BT4 9arden Bird 1eedin" +urvey shows that the avera"e number of house sparrows fell by
about 60@ between -.0/ and -..; in Britain. Thou"h this is a substantial decrease, it is
considerably smaller than the decline observed in 8ensin"ton 9ardens, (imbledon Car'
and suburban 9las"ow.
The F+CB (ildlife #plorers Bi" 9arden Birdwatch, which re3uires children to report on birds
in their "arden each year in Aanuary, shows a 60@ decline in house sparrow numbers
between-.0., when the survey be"an, and 2000.
The !ational Breedin" Birds +urvey shows a statistically si"nificant decline of 0@ between -..<
and 2002 in Britain. (ithin ,ondon, the BB+ decline has been more substantial, with a fall
of about 00@ between -..<>2002. This is the hi"hest decline for any #n"lish Fe"ion.
(hen the survey be"an in -..< the house sparrow was the most numerous species in the
,ondon samples. By -... it had been overta'en by feral roc' dove, wood pi"eon,
blac'bird, carrion crow and starlin". &owever, the data up to 2000 would seem to indicate
that there were still some poc'ets with hi"h numbers, especially in northeast ,ondon.
By 2002, statistics from the $ommon Birds $ensus and Breedin" Bird +urvey show that over 26
years the decline in the *8 population had reached over :0@ and the species was placed on
the Fed ,ist of +pecies of $onservation $oncern.
&ouse sparrow declines have been recorded from many other countries in (estern #urope,
includin" +candinavia, !etherlands, Bel"ium, 9ermany and Austria, althou"h "ood
numbers are still reported by casual observers visitin" Caris and some other parts of 1rance.
Specific Factors Affectin the Species
A number of factors have been put forward to account for the observed chan"es in the sparrow
population. +ome of the factors outlined below could have si"nificant impacts in particular
localities and it is possible that they are actin" in combination. Fesearch is needed to try to
identify the most important factors ) only then will it be possible to put in place any effective
remedial measures. %t is always possible that some as yet unidentified factor is also involved.
Factors relatin to food supply
Reduction in insect food supply for the young: A study in &ambur" has blamed a lac' of
aphids in early sprin" for a lac' of breedin" success in house sparrows in that city.
(Gitsch'e et al., 2000). A decline in the availability of invertebrates (such as aphids) for
feedin" youn" is also su""ested as a ma?or factor in house sparrow decline by +ummers>
+mith (-...).
Impact of lead-free petrol on aphids: There is a theory that lead free petrol mi"ht contain
chemicals which reduce the supply of aphids (+ummers>+mith, 2000).
Changes in agricultural practice: These may affect the ,ondon house sparrow population
especially in late summerEautumn, when birds leave their nestin" territories in residential
areas and move off in seed>feedin" floc's. !o doubt some ,ondon birds disperse into the
surroundin" countryside. At this time, chan"es in a"ricultural practice such as the switch to
autumn sowin" of cereals and lac' of stubble as autumn and winter feedin" habitat may
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have some impact. Additionally, if the ,ondon population has traditionally been au"mented
from time to time by surplus birds from nearby rural populations, a fall in breedin" success
in rural populations could reduce the number of immi"rants into ,ondon.
Reduction in seed supply in autumn: %n both central ,ondon and the suburbs, there has been a
mar'ed reduction in brownfield land in recent decades, as it is developed more 3uic'ly.
!redation
Another theory relates to the recent increase in sparrowhaw' and ma"pie numbers. A sin"le
species of predator is normally only li'ely to act as a ma?or factor in population control of a "iven
prey species if it is a broad>based predator, able to turn to other food supplies as a favoured prey
species declines in response to predation pressure. Another si"nificant predator is the domestic
cat, and its numbers are of course not limited in the same way by natural population re"ulation.
&owever, no evidence of a si"nificant increase in the domestic cat population has been
forthcomin".
"isease
5eclines on this scale have, in some other species, been attributed to disease. A virus or
Salmonella infection has been su""ested. A form of Salmonella has been found on bird tables.
Chanes relatin to availability of nest sites
$han"es in roof desi"n may be an issue in some areas of older housin" under"oin" renovation, as
modern roof repairs may prevent access to the roof space for birds. &owever, a decline has also
been noted in areas where roof replacement is less widespread.
%n addition to re>construction, roofs are often sub?ect to pesticide treatment. (hilst it is
reco"nised that certain pesticides are harmful to bats, no such issue has been reco"nised for birds.
!est control
Althou"h the house sparrow is still reco"nised as a pest species in some 3uarters and may be
controlled le"ally (see below), there is not thou"ht to be an appreciable amount of control
underta'en in ,ondon at present.
Current Action
#.1 Leal status
The house sparrow is still classified as a pest species in relation to the (ildlife H $ountryside
Act (-./-, as amended). %t was ori"inally listed as a bird that may be controlled at any time of
year, but is now covered by le"islation that provides for an annually reviewed "eneral licence to
control a specified list of pest species, with the land owners consent (+tatutory %nstrument no
;0-0 -..2).
#.2 $echanisms taretin the species
These current actions are ongoing. They need to be supported and continued in addition to the new action
listed under Section 7.
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#.2.1 Survey and research
A number of on>"oin" surveys have been summarised above under section ;.
%n the sprin" and summer of 2000, the F+CB ran a survey on &ouse sparrow nestin" behaviour
amon"st its (ildlife #plorers (youth section), which investi"ated the relationship between
nestin" fre3uency and the a"e of houses, plus the location of nest sites and use of nest boes.
,ondon (ildlife Trusts "arden survey for 2000E- includes data on &ouse sparrows.
The 5#TF commissioned an in depth study to investi"ate evidence from a wide ran"e of eistin"
datasets. This report has now been published ($ric' et al., 2002).
4n 20
th
1ebruary 200< the 5epartment of the #nvironment, 1ood and Fural Affairs (5#1FA)
or"anised a conference at $ity &all on to brin" all the researchers to"ether. A consensus seems to
be emer"in" that poor survival lin'ed to lac' of food is the main factor affectin" house sparrows
in farmin" areas. &owever, the causes in urban areas remain less clear ) it may be we are seein"
the results of an interaction between a number of the factors noted in section < above. F+CB has
recently appointed a research officer to underta'e detailed scientific studies in ,ondon.
#.2.2. Suested public action
The 5epartment for #nvironment, 1ood and Fural Affairs has published a leaflet outlinin" ways
in which the public can try to help the house sparrow.
%b&ectives' Actions and (arets
Gost of these actions are specific to this species. &owever, there are other, broader actions that apply "enerically to a
number of habitats and species. These are located in a separate D9eneric Action section which should be read in
con?unction with this document. There are "eneric actions for +ite Gana"ement, &abitat Crotection, +pecies
Crotection, #colo"ical Gonitorin", Biolo"ical Fecords, $ommunications and 1undin".
Please note that the partners identified in the tables are those that have been involved in the process of forming the
plan. t is not an e!clusive list and new partners are both welcomed and needed. "he leads identified are responsible
for co#ordinating the actions $ but are not necessaril% implementers.
Objective 1 To understand the key factor(s) affecting the
population and distribution of house sparrows in London through
contributing to fundaental scientific research
Target! To have the results of scientifically valid research to
e"plain the decline by #$1$
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%ction
Target
&ate
Lead Other 'artners
1#1 *ollate e6istin! research infor"ation of
the status of house sparrows and possible
causes of decline, with e"phasis on urban
areas
7n!oin! 2'A RSP0, '/HS, 0(7
1#. *ontribute to the wider debate re!ardin!
%e issues which should be investi!ated in
research pro8ects
7n!oin! 2'A
RSP0, 'W(, '/HS,
0(7
1#3 $stablish lin%s with other relevant
research pro8ects and house sparrow
surves in 'ondon
7n!oin! 2'A
RSP0, '/HS, 'As,
0(7
1#9 Support research into house sparrows in
'ondon, in liaison with national research
pro8ects, includin! fund raisin! and
contributin! local %nowled!e
.-1- 2'A
RSP0, 'W(, '/HS,
'As
1#4 Review pro!ress and outco"e of other
research pro8ects on house sparrow decline
and draw on the results of this review to
revise the proposed actions if necessar
Annuall 2'A
RSP0,'/HS,'W(,
0(7
Objective # To involve people in London and raise awareness of
house sparrows
Target ! (oission) coplete and evaluate survey by the end of
#$$*
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%ction
Target
&ate
Lead Other 'artners
.#1 :raw up a proposal for surve of house
sparrow population and distribution in
'ondon involvin! public participation
Achieve
d .--1
2'A 'W(, '/HS, 'A
.#. *o""ission surve to clarif the li%el
factors affectin! house sparrows in 'ondon,
evaluate and publicise results
Surve
Achieve
d .--.,
Report
publishe
d .--3
RSP0
2'A, 'W(, '/HS,
'As
.#3 Analse surve data to clarif the li%el
factors affectin! house sparrows in 'ondon
.--9 2'A
.#9 Publish the results of the public surve
in an appropriate 8ournal
.--4 2'A RSP0, 'W(
.#4 Pro"ote the involve"ent of the public in
constructin! a lar!e nu"ber of sparrow nest
bo6es in 'ondon throu!h establishin!
)sparrow cha"pions+ in 'ondon borou!hs
7n!oin! RSP0 'As, '00;
.#< =aintain the public interest in house
sparrow decline throu!h appropriate public
activities
.--4 'W(
RSP0, RPA, 'As,
'/HS, '0P 2ardens
HAP
)elevant Action !lans
London !lans
Crivate 9ardens= (asteland= Car's, Amenity 9rasslands and $ity +3uares= 1armland Audit.
*ational !lans
$ereal 1ield Gar"ins= Ancient andEor +pecies Fich &ed"erows= *rban &abitat +tatement.
+ey )eferences
$ric', &.I.C., Fobinson, F.A., Appleton, 9.1., $lar', !.A. and Fic'ard, A.5. 2002. nvestigation into the causes of
the decline of starlings and house sparrows in &reat 'ritain. BT4 research report no 2.0.
5#1FA, with F+CB and BT4. 200<. (ouse sparrows in &reat 'ritain. ,eaflet published by the 5epartment of the
#nvironment, 1ood and Fural Affairs 200<.
&eid?, $A (-./6). )omparative ecolog% of the (ouse Sparrow, Passer domesticus, in rural, suburban and urban
situations. Thesis, 2ri?i *niversiteit te Amsterdam.
,ondon Biodiversity Cartnership, 2002. (here have all the sparrows "oneJ +urvey report 2002. (Croduced by
F+CB).
Gitsch'e, A., Fath?e, &. H Baumun", +. (2000). (ouse sparrows in (amburg* population, habitat choice and
threats. &ambur" +tate 4rnitholo"ical Crotection +tation. &ambur"er Avifauna Beitr. ;0.
+ummers>+mith, A.5 (-...). )urrent status of the (ouse Sparrow in 'ritain. British (ildlife, -0K ;/->;/:.
+ummers>+mith, A5 (2000). "he ndependent --
th
+eptember 2000.
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Abbreviations
0(7 > 0ritish (rust for 7rnitholo!
2'A > 2reater 'ondon Authorit
'A > 'ocal Authorities
'00; > 'ondon 0orou!hs 0iodiversit ;oru"
'W( > 'ondon Wildlife (rust
'/HS > 'ondon /atural Histor Societ
RSP0 > Roal Societ for the Protection of birds
Contact
(he Lead for this species is the ,reater London Authority.
+an Hewlett
'olicy and 'artnerships &irectorate
,L%) (ity Hall
The -ueen.s /alk
London S01 #%%
Tel $#$ 123* 4*#2
0ail jan5hewlett6london5gov5uk
/eb www5london5gov5uk
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