COUNTDOWN 2002 - Cheshire region Biodiversity Programme

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

Date compiled - 2000
Date reviewed - 2001, 2002

Objective

Halt and reverse the current decline in numbers.

Current Status

The Tree Sparrow is a Red List Species on the list of Birds of Conservation Concern (RSPB, 1996), with a decline in the breeding population by >50% over the last 25 years. An estimated decline of 86% since 1965. The tree sparrow has declined more than any other farmland bird. The BTO Common Bird Census highlighted a decline in Tree Sparrow numbers between 1968 and 1991 of 85%, with a decrease in range by 20% over the same period. The UK Tree Sparrow population between 1988-1991 was estimated at 110,000 pairs.

The Biodiversity UK Steering Group have defined the Tree Sparrow as a Priority Species.
It is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 and the EC Birds Directive and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
There have been range contractions, noticeably in South-West England, Wales and Scotland.

Threats

• Loss of nesting sites due to:
  • Loss of hedgerows on lowland farms.
  • Neglect of pollarded trees, which are favourable nest sites.
  • Loss of small isolated woods on farmland.
  • Removal of dead trees from hedgerows, which provide good nesting sites.
• Loss of abundant food sources due to:
  • Loss of seed and insect food as a result of increased herbicide and pesticide usage.
  • Loss of winter stubble as a result of spring-sown to autumn-sown cereals.
  • Agricultural intensification and specialisation, especially the loss of mixed farming systems.
    

Current Action

• Farmland Bird Management Guidelines produced jointly by the RSPB, BTO and FWAG.
• BTO Common Bird Census and Breeding Bird Survey are carried out on an annual ongoing basis.
• BTO begin a 3 year Winter Survey of Farmland Birds in 1999/2000.
• BTO 3 year Crops for Wintering Birds Survey 1998-2001.
• RSPB begins a research project into the causes of the decline of the Tree Sparrow in the year 2000.
• Nest box schemes have been implemented in some areas.
• The MAFF Countryside Stewardship Scheme may benefit the Tree Sparrow through hedge planting, by providing grant aid for farmers encouraging environmentally sensitive management.
• The RSPB has worked closely with CAWOS and DEFRA to help identify key farmland bird areas in
  Cheshire, to help with targeting of the new arable options next year, and to help with delivery of the
  current CSS objective for tree sparrow and corn bunting in the county.
  

Action Required

• Provide nest boxes in areas of suitable habitat and areas with few suitable trees
• Encourage a reduction in excessive herbicide and pesticide use
• Encourage supplementary feeding in farmyards during the winter and the planting of sacrificial seed crops
• Encourage land managers/farmers to maintain hedgerows and cut on a rotational basis, retaining any dead trees
• Encourage the retention of field margins
  

Action Completed

• LBAP Action Group has been formed.
• Links to other farmland Bird BAPs through the generic farmland bird BAP
• Targeting agri - environment schemes at farmland bird hotspots in the region.
  

Actual LBAP Implementers

RSPB; BTO; CAWOS; CWT; FWAG; Cheshire County Council; PMH Natural History Services.

Other potential implementers

BASC; CLA; SECOS.

Contact

Roy Leigh
Phone: 01606 333296

References

HMSO (1995) : Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2: Action Plans, London.

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