Wildlife

Wild Tree Sparrow Farmland Decline and Conservation

Tree sparrows have declined by 97% since 1970 - among the most dramatic farmland bird declines in Britain. Their welfare recovery is a key target of agri-environment schemes.

Key Facts

Tree sparrows declined from 6.7 million pairs in 1970 to under 200,000 by 2008
Nest boxes combined with supplementary feeding and weed-rich habitat supports recovery
They need seed and invertebrates - a combination increasingly scarce on modern farms
RSPB's Aren't Birds Brilliant project combines nest boxes and habitat management

Welfare Considerations

Tree sparrow welfare requires integrated management: nest boxes for breeding, invertebrate-rich areas for chick rearing, and seed-rich stubble and weedy margins for winter feeding. Single-measure interventions are insufficient.

What You Can Do

Install tree sparrow nest boxes in rural gardens and farmland
Support agri-environment schemes delivering integrated habitat for tree sparrows
Submit tree sparrow sightings to RSPB and BTO surveys to track recovery