4:13pm Wednesday 10th March 2010
A MAJOR survey of Hampshire house sparrow population begins next Monday.
Ornithological organisations and Hampshire County Council is behind the three-month study - aimed at reversing declines in the species and discovering where they thrive best.
Experts says te sparrow population has halved inthe ast 25 years. Across South-East England there has been a 65 per cent drop in house sparrow numbers, say ornithological groups.
Changes in farming practices and modern house building methods are being blamed for the sparrow’s decline Wildlife expert and TV presenter Chris Packham, chairman of the Hampshire Ornithological Society, said: “The House Sparrow is a great British bird, it would be terrible if we did nothing to stop its disappearance.”
Hampshire’s cabinet spokesman for the environment Mel Kendal, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Hampshire to do something very positive for our local wildlife which might help safeguard the future of a familiar visitor to our neighbourhoods.”
Any outdoor area can be a survey site – be it a garden, balcony, allotment, park, office, farm building or school grounds.
Sparrow watchers are asked to log sightings online at www.hants.gov.uk/housesparrow where there is also advice on how to encourage sparrows and other birds into gardens and other places.
County Council libraries, country parks and information points will be supplying and collecting survey forms for residents without access to the internet.
Everyone who submits a record stands the chance to receive a house sparrow hotel – a specially designed bird box that houses several families.
Don’t worry if you don’t see any sparrows as reports of non-sightings are just as important to the survey.
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