As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Sunday 5 January 2014

Save our cockney sparrows, says CEMEX UK and RSPB

04 January 2014
When was the last time you saw a house sparrow? You know those small, noisy birds seen around our towns that love our rubbish. In London, the house sparrow population has decreased by nearly 70% in the last 20 years. CEMEX UK and the RSPB are working together to save the ‘cockney’ house sparrow. 

The staff on 12 CEMEX readymix concrete plants in London are helping the campaign by installing bird boxes on the sites and undertaking bird surveys to see how and if, sparrows use industrial sites. 

The nest boxes have just been erected to provide shelter and it is planned for grass and wild flower seeds to be planted in unused areas of the sites to provide food. 
According to the RSPB, who have been investigating the cause of the decline in numbers, it seems that lack of food is a major factor. The loss of wild flowers and grass areas in cities like London has resulted in less seeds and insects, two of the sparrow’s favourite foods. 

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