News
Tree sparrows thrive in west Suffolk but it’s a different story on the coast
12th January 2010
Due to agricultural intensification many of our farmland birds have suffered disastrous declines over the last three decades and the tree sparrow is no exception; numbers have crashed to only 3% of the 1970s population.
Lack of food - grass and wildflower seed and some cereal grains found in winter stubbles – decrease in hedgerows and a massive reduction of nesting sites are to blame. Other farmland birds such as turtle dove, grey partridge, yellow wagtail, corn bunting and lapwing have suffered similar declines.
Recent work completed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust as part of English Nature’s Countdown 2010 Project show today’s tree sparrow distribution to be in clusters mostly in the west of the county around Mildenhall, Lackford/Ampton, Debenham and Kessingland.
“There were also two small tree sparrow breeding populations at Sizewell and Sudbourne on the Suffolk coast but during 2009 no nesting took place for the first time in decades which was very disappointing,” says Steve Piotrowski who is heading the project.
The tree sparrow population has done better in the west due to dedicated efforts of conservationist and volunteers who have been monitoring the existing populations. On the strength of the results landowners have been advised on the implementation of conservation measures such as the erection of nest boxes, habitat management and the provision of an all year round food supply. Consequently flocks of 300 birds are not unusual.
“Our efforts will now focus on the east of the county. We will be approaching landowners on the Suffolk coast to discuss providing wild bird seed strips, nest boxes, habitat management for which they can be paid as part of the Environmental Stewardship scheme – currently the uptake of Entry Level and Higher Level Stewardship is lower here than anywhere else in the county.”
Seed strips and supplementary feeding has been implemented at the Trust’s Lackford reserve near Bury St Edmunds with impressive results - tree sparrow numbers have increased dramatically and it is hoped they will breed there this season.
For more information please contact SWT’s Steve Piotrowski on 01986 893311.
Notes to editors
Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus
Often overlooked when House Sparrows are present, but easy to separate with good views. Slightly smaller size, neater, more colourful appearance.
Chestnut cap, white cheeks and black ‘ear’ spot are diagnostic.
Both the sexes and young birds are similar.
