These noisy, sociable birds that nest in colonies are a familiar sight to most people and regularly top the Big Garden Birdwatch results. However, populations in the UK dropped sharply, by about 70%, between 1977 and 2008. In more recent years whilst the population in England has continued to decline, there has been recorded increases in Scotland and Wales but not to numbers that were around in the 1970’s. House Sparrows are on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List.
Photos: Chris Gomersall and Andy Hay for rspb-images.com
Illustration: Mike Langman for rspb-images.com
Action Needed
We need more and better nature-friendly farm funding to empower farmers and crofters to do more for nature. Planting and maintaining hedgerows, creating and managing seed and insect-rich habitats and reducing pesticide use can all help. RSPB is calling for more of the Scottish government agricultural budget to be focused on nature-friendly farming supporting more farmers and crofters to manage their land positively for wildlife.
We also need to encourage and support people and local authorities in urban areas to garden for wildlife, for example by planting native deciduous shrubs, reducing pesticide use and leaving some areas of long grass or wildflowers to provide better insect habitat. We work closely with community groups in cities such as Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh to make more urban spaces for nature.
Threats
House Sparrows are suffering from habitat loss, including the loss of safe nesting sites, in our cities and the countryside, and from fewer insects to eat and to feed to their nestlings.
MSP Nature Champion
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