Q&A YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Q

We have read numerous reports in recent years about the decline of

House Sparrow, and living in Central London I hadn’t seen any for several years before this year. We live on the top floor of a five-storey apartment block near the City of London, with two largish terraces facing north and south.

As a result of hanging RSPB-approved fat-filled half-coconuts on the south-facing terrace – which also has thick shrubs in tubs, providing some cover – we have recently been treated to small flocks of House Sparrows, sometimes a dozen at a time, feeding on them. Their antics, as they squabble and peck at the fat, often hanging upside down three or four to a coconut, are hilarious and it is a great pleasure to watch them.

Has there been some sort of recovery in this species? And is there any reason why these birds have suddenly appeared, replacing various types of tit in previous years? Only the occasional European Robin seems to interrupt their dominance. Carl Gardner, via email

A

Michelle Reeve, the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch Survey Manager, replies: The British Trust for Ornithology has excellent data on London’s House Sparrows collected from our ongoing Garden BirdWatch survey. It depends somewhat on the timescale, but largely, the answer is no. The species actually been declining in the capital. For example, around 40% fewer London gardens have reported seeing House Sparrows over the last 25 years. According to more recent GBW data, House Sparrow has remained relatively stable in gardens since 2012.

The birds were quite likely attracted to Carl’s terrace as a result of the food he has been providing, which sounds like a new addition!”