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| Sparrow numbers 'plummet by 68%' | Sparrow numbers 'plummet by 68%' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The population of house sparrows in Britain has fallen by 68% in the past three decades, according to the RSPB. | The population of house sparrows in Britain has fallen by 68% in the past three decades, according to the RSPB. |
| A report by the charity said the paving over of front gardens and removal of trees had caused a big decline in insects that the birds eat. | A report by the charity said the paving over of front gardens and removal of trees had caused a big decline in insects that the birds eat. |
| It suggests sparrows are now disappearing altogether from cities such as London, Bristol and Edinburgh. | It suggests sparrows are now disappearing altogether from cities such as London, Bristol and Edinburgh. |
| Dr Will Peach, from the RSPB, said many gardens had become "no-go areas for once-common British birds". | Dr Will Peach, from the RSPB, said many gardens had become "no-go areas for once-common British birds". |
| Starving chicks | Starving chicks |
| Scientists from the RSPB joined forces with De Montfort University and Natural England to investigate the decline of the house sparrow. | Scientists from the RSPB joined forces with De Montfort University and Natural England to investigate the decline of the house sparrow. |
| They studied numbers in Leicester over a three-year period and found that they fell by more than two thirds. | They studied numbers in Leicester over a three-year period and found that they fell by more than two thirds. |
| Dr Peach said every pair of house sparrows must raise at least five chicks a year to maintain the population, but many were starving to death in their nests or were too weak to live long after fledging. | Dr Peach said every pair of house sparrows must raise at least five chicks a year to maintain the population, but many were starving to death in their nests or were too weak to live long after fledging. |
| The study did find that chick survival was higher in areas where insects, such as aphids, were more abundant. [Gardeners can help by] being lazy, doing nothing and allowing the garden to be a little bit scruffy Dr Will Peach, RSPB | The study did find that chick survival was higher in areas where insects, such as aphids, were more abundant. [Gardeners can help by] being lazy, doing nothing and allowing the garden to be a little bit scruffy Dr Will Peach, RSPB |
| Dr Peach said: "Peanuts and seeds are great for birds for most of the year, but sparrows need insects in summer - and lots of them - to feed their hungry young. | Dr Peach said: "Peanuts and seeds are great for birds for most of the year, but sparrows need insects in summer - and lots of them - to feed their hungry young. |
| "Honeysuckle, wild roses, hawthorn or fruit trees are perfect for insects and therefore house sparrows. | "Honeysuckle, wild roses, hawthorn or fruit trees are perfect for insects and therefore house sparrows. |
| "The trend towards paving of front gardens and laying decking in the back, and the popularity of ornamental plants from other parts of the world, has made many gardens no-go areas for once common British birds." | "The trend towards paving of front gardens and laying decking in the back, and the popularity of ornamental plants from other parts of the world, has made many gardens no-go areas for once common British birds." |
| He said gardeners could help sparrows by "being lazy, doing nothing and allowing the garden to be a little bit scruffy". | He said gardeners could help sparrows by "being lazy, doing nothing and allowing the garden to be a little bit scruffy". |
| Urban birder David Lindo on how to attract sparrows to gardens | |
| The study, published in the journal Animal Conservation, concluded that the decline in house sparrows in Britain began in the mid-1980s. | The study, published in the journal Animal Conservation, concluded that the decline in house sparrows in Britain began in the mid-1980s. |
| In London, numbers fell by 60% between 1994 and 2004. | In London, numbers fell by 60% between 1994 and 2004. |
| The house sparrow has been added to the list of species identified by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as in need of greater protection. | The house sparrow has been added to the list of species identified by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as in need of greater protection. |