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RSPB London House Sparrow Project - Request for Information

from Iain (IBoulton@lambeth.gov.uk)

RSPB London House Sparrow Project - Request for Information

A request for information with a positive biodiversity flavour.

Chris Osman, who works for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), is working on the RSPB London House Sparrow Project, investigating the causes of the decline in house sparrow numbers in the capital. I act as - get this - the "sparrow champion" for Lambeth. Such privilege. The house sparrow is also a priority species for the London Biodiversity Action Plan, and the Lambeth Community Strategy Environment Group has also proposed a House Sparrow Species Action Plan for the Lambeth Biodiversity Action Plan, which I'm now drafting up.

Chris and RSPB's research biologist Nancy Ockendon are currently looking for suitable house sparrow colonies in London for their study, and have identified a few that they can use; however they we are still some way short of the total they'd need.

Chris has asked me if I know of any house sparrow colonies in Lambeth that we could tell him about. Chris is keen to hear urban or suburban sites - including parks, open spaces and allotment sites, which are frequented throughout the year, but particularly the breeding season, by 10 or more sparrows.

Ideally house sparrows will be nesting at or nearby the site, but the main thing is that local residents or groups will be willing to assist with regular maintenance of a food supply where applicable, and occasional access to Chris and Nancy for monitoring purposes. Chris has asked me to put feelers out for such sites, and names of any of sites and any helpful residents or site users. Obviously we can give access to Chris and Nancy to the Borough's parks and greenspaces, but I do want you as local residents or interested parties to be fully involved in this from the beginning. You probably have as much information - if not more - about sparrows than I do in many locations, so your expertise would be priceless.

If I can supply Chris with suitable sites and contact details he will initially arrange a meeting with the potential helper(s) and assess the suitability of the site and its house sparrow colony. Obviously I'd be involved wherever I can, and I'd come to any meetings and site visits. I am only too happy to pass on Chris's email address to you, and I'm sure he'd be happy to acknowledge you in all findings and reports.

This information will be of incredible value for the Lambeth BAP and the House Sparrow Species Action Plan, and help us to protect and promote this important little bird. I do see quite a few house sparrows when I'm out and about in Lambeth on parks and open spaces so I'm sure we can quickly add to the database!

Chris and Nancy are working on the hypothesis that the sparrows' main problem is a lack of food during the critical nestling stage during the breeding season, so they'll be operating 3 different feeding regimes within sample colonies. At some, they'll provide a high protein diet (probably meal worms) during the breeding season; other colonies will have year-round seed; and the rest will receive no supplementary food (or rather nothing more than is already being provided). Monitoring the number of birds at each colony over the 3 years of the study should hopefully highlight any population change.

Your assistance will be very much appreciated, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards
Iain

Dr Iain Boulton
Environmental Education Officer
Lambeth Parks

4th Floor Blue Star House
234-244 Stockwell Road
London SW9 9SP

Tel: 020 7926 6209
Fax: 020 7926 6201
Email: IBoulton@lambeth.gov.uk

(posted 7082 days ago)

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