Why do they say theres a shortage of Sparrows in the UK?

Question

I've got loads in my back garden!!!

Answer 1

I dont think theres a shortage, but their numbers are depleting

Answer 2

Peace and respect to you my friend.

I believe it depends on where you live. I live in the countryside and I see year by year that flocks of birds are less abundant - though I'm no expert. We do have more and more cars and the birds fly into them and it makes me weep. All the creatures in the countryside are becoming less and I see many dead badgers and foxes more and more as time roles on as well. I own a cat, and he kills many birds and I can't stop him doing this. I even put bells on his collar, but he keeps slipping through his collars and losing them. I think birds are definately on the decline, it is very - very sad.

Answer 3

In some areas there is a shortage because gardens have added decking and patios to their back gardens and paved the front for parking so habitat in towns has been lost.  

In some areas you will not be allowed to concrete the front for parking as it also encourages flooding as the drainage is blocked.

Answer 4

There was a dearth of sparrows a few years ago, but they are increasing in numbers now.

Answer 5

There is a family nesting in my roof, and plenty of them

Answer 6

ok good for you.

Answer 7

House sparrows are declining in number across the country -- the RSPB has listed them as its highest-priority conservation level.   http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguid...

I'm really glad you've still got loads in your back garden: they must be able to find stuff to eat and places to roost and nest. One problem they face is that so many people's gardens are now paved or decked and tidied of every stray plant. They're more like outdoor living rooms than places for wildlife.

And sparrows tend to stay in the same area, within a mile of where they hatched, so once you lose sparrows from a district it's hard to reverse.

There are a couple of sparrow colonies in the hedges beside our local park, but the council comes and hacks the hedges back so often that I worry that they'll end up with nowhere to hide from the neighbourhood cats. =(

So YAY! for your garden full of cheerful chirrupping. =D

Answer 8

I remember as a kid 40 years ago they used to be everywhere- now they are sparse - we have had baby sparrows this year in the village though- and yellow wagtails.

The swallows have plummeted from 50-100   7 years ago to just 5-6 now.

Even the mallards have only had 7 babies instead of the usual 13 this year

Answer 9

Not all small birds are sparrows.

It may be a case of mistaken identity.