Guest guest Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 The decline of the house sparrow, one of Britain's best known birds, could be down to a lack of insects and spiders during the summer months, experts say. A De Montfort University team claims adult sparrows are struggling to find enough food to feed their chicks in the early stages of their lives. UK bird charity RSPB said measures that boosted insect numbers could also help arrest the sparrows' decline. This included growing deciduous trees and shrubs and cutting insecticide use. In August 2002, the house sparrow was added to the Red Data list of bird species of conservation concern because their decline had been more than 50% in the last 25 years. Between 1977 and 2000, house sparrow (Passer domesticus) numbers in the UK declined by 65%. Kate Vincent, of De Montfort University in Leicester, put up more than 600 nestboxes around the East Midlands city to study the birds' breeding success, chick condition, diet and feeding habits. Ms Vincent found that chicks were more likely to starve if their diet contained a high proportion of vegetable matter or ants, and less likely to starve if their diet contained a high proportion of spiders. More chicks were dying in the sparrows' second brood of the year, an observation that may help to explain the overall population decline. Because of the high chick mortality rate during winter, the species needs two or three broods every year to keep the population at least level. The De Montfort researcher found there was an 80% success rate in the first brood, but a 65% success rate in the second. " While we can't pinpoint one simple cause of sparrows' decline, food limitation during the breeding season does not have a negative impact on nestling survival rates, " Ms Vincent explained. She added that the combined effects of relatively high rates of chick starvation and low body masses at fledging (which influences survival after fledging) observed in suburban localities are large enough to result in rapid population declines. Thus far, there is no evidence that the birds' invertebrate prey have fallen in abundance in urban and suburban of Britain. Abundance of insect and spiders seems to affect survival (Image: Ray Kennedy and rspb-images.com) But Kate Vincent says it provides a plausible mechanism for the observed declines in populations of the birds. Dr Will Peach, senior biologist at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), said: " Dr Vincent's study has clearly demonstrated that a lack of insects in suburbia during summer prevents house sparrows rearing their young. " Although we are not sure about the exact causes of the population decline, any measures that boost insect numbers in gardens should help nesting sparrows. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 so, what is causing the lack of spiders over there? increased use of pesticides? lack of prey for the spiders? >heartwerk <jo.heartwork >Feb 14, 2006 11:52 PM > > Decline in Sparrows Due to Lack of Spiders! > >The decline of the house sparrow, one of Britain's best known birds, >could be down to a lack of insects and spiders during the summer >months, experts say. >A De Montfort University team claims adult sparrows are struggling to >find enough food to feed their chicks in the early stages of their >lives. > >UK bird charity RSPB said measures that boosted insect numbers could >also help arrest the sparrows' decline. > >This included growing deciduous trees and shrubs and cutting >insecticide use. > >In August 2002, the house sparrow was added to the Red Data list of >bird species of conservation concern because their decline had been >more than 50% in the last 25 years. > >Between 1977 and 2000, house sparrow (Passer domesticus) numbers in >the UK declined by 65%. > >Kate Vincent, of De Montfort University in Leicester, put up more >than 600 nestboxes around the East Midlands city to study the birds' >breeding success, chick condition, diet and feeding habits. > >Ms Vincent found that chicks were more likely to starve if their diet >contained a high proportion of vegetable matter or ants, and less >likely to starve if their diet contained a high proportion of >spiders. > >More chicks were dying in the sparrows' second brood of the year, an >observation that may help to explain the overall population decline. >Because of the high chick mortality rate during winter, the species >needs two or three broods every year to keep the population at least >level. The De Montfort researcher found there was an 80% success rate >in the first brood, but a 65% success rate in the second. > > " While we can't pinpoint one simple cause of sparrows' decline, food >limitation during the breeding season does not have a negative impact >on nestling survival rates, " Ms Vincent explained. > >She added that the combined effects of relatively high rates of chick >starvation and low body masses at fledging (which influences survival >after fledging) observed in suburban localities are large enough to >result in rapid population declines. > >Thus far, there is no evidence that the birds' invertebrate prey have >fallen in abundance in urban and suburban of Britain. > > >Abundance of insect and spiders seems to affect survival (Image: Ray >Kennedy and rspb-images.com) >But Kate Vincent says it provides a plausible mechanism for the >observed declines in populations of the birds. > >Dr Will Peach, senior biologist at the Royal Society for the >Protection of Birds (RSPB), said: " Dr Vincent's study has clearly >demonstrated that a lack of insects in suburbia during summer >prevents house sparrows rearing their young. > > " Although we are not sure about the exact causes of the population >decline, any measures that boost insect numbers in gardens should >help nesting sparrows. " > > > > > > > >To send an email to - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 I reckon pesticides mostly. I was interested in the bit about deciduous trees/bushes. We used to have a privet hedge and had loads of sparrows. When we changed it for an evergreen hedge we lost the sparrows and have never had them since - 20 years! Normal people do seem to use a lot of poisons. All the neighbours seem to use ant powder all round the outside of their houses - I guess that wouldn't help, and they use weed killers etc. We never seem to have a shortage of spiders in our house - I'm forever evicting them, but I reckon they come back in next time I open the door. Jo - " fraggle " <EBbrewpunx Wednesday, February 15, 2006 7:25 PM Re: Decline in Sparrows Due to Lack of Spiders! > so, what is causing the lack of spiders over there? increased use of pesticides? lack of prey for the spiders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 this is probably nothing to do with it. but in new york city, where I am originally from.. there are a million little sparrows. I believe that they were brought over from England a long time ago. It seems that they have adapted by being very clever and eating the crumbs that people toss on the streets. They are very cute. I used to feed em. however, I this summer, I found out that I was a criminal. you see mayor bloomberg passed a law that people are not suppose to feed birds in nyc. This was recent and I did not know this. some jerk actually passed by and said " lady you ain'tspossed to feed em " I told him to get a life. but my mom actually told me that he was right and that I might get a fine for this. that is sad. , fraggle <EBbrewpunx wrote: > > so, what is causing the lack of spiders over there? increased use of pesticides? lack of prey for the spiders? > > > >heartwerk <jo.heartwork > >Feb 14, 2006 11:52 PM > > > > Decline in Sparrows Due to Lack of Spiders! > > > >The decline of the house sparrow, one of Britain's best known birds, > >could be down to a lack of insects and spiders during the summer > >months, experts say. > >A De Montfort University team claims adult sparrows are struggling to > >find enough food to feed their chicks in the early stages of their > >lives. > > > >UK bird charity RSPB said measures that boosted insect numbers could > >also help arrest the sparrows' decline. > > > >This included growing deciduous trees and shrubs and cutting > >insecticide use. > > > >In August 2002, the house sparrow was added to the Red Data list of > >bird species of conservation concern because their decline had been > >more than 50% in the last 25 years. > > > >Between 1977 and 2000, house sparrow (Passer domesticus) numbers in > >the UK declined by 65%. > > > >Kate Vincent, of De Montfort University in Leicester, put up more > >than 600 nestboxes around the East Midlands city to study the birds' > >breeding success, chick condition, diet and feeding habits. > > > >Ms Vincent found that chicks were more likely to starve if their diet > >contained a high proportion of vegetable matter or ants, and less > >likely to starve if their diet contained a high proportion of > >spiders. > > > >More chicks were dying in the sparrows' second brood of the year, an > >observation that may help to explain the overall population decline. > >Because of the high chick mortality rate during winter, the species > >needs two or three broods every year to keep the population at least > >level. The De Montfort researcher found there was an 80% success rate > >in the first brood, but a 65% success rate in the second. > > > > " While we can't pinpoint one simple cause of sparrows' decline, food > >limitation during the breeding season does not have a negative impact > >on nestling survival rates, " Ms Vincent explained. > > > >She added that the combined effects of relatively high rates of chick > >starvation and low body masses at fledging (which influences survival > >after fledging) observed in suburban localities are large enough to > >result in rapid population declines. > > > >Thus far, there is no evidence that the birds' invertebrate prey have > >fallen in abundance in urban and suburban of Britain. > > > > > >Abundance of insect and spiders seems to affect survival (Image: Ray > >Kennedy and rspb-images.com) > >But Kate Vincent says it provides a plausible mechanism for the > >observed declines in populations of the birds. > > > >Dr Will Peach, senior biologist at the Royal Society for the > >Protection of Birds (RSPB), said: " Dr Vincent's study has clearly > >demonstrated that a lack of insects in suburbia during summer > >prevents house sparrows rearing their young. > > > > " Although we are not sure about the exact causes of the population > >decline, any measures that boost insect numbers in gardens should > >help nesting sparrows. " > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >To send an email to - > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 Hi Anouk This is sad. It is the same in London where they removed the pigeon food vendors from Traflagar Square, and now people are not allowed to feed the pigeons. What are the pigeons supposed to do. They have been fed there for generations of human life! The other thing that happens is that hawks are used to kill them off :-) I suspect it will happen even more with avian flu around - just another excuse. Jo , " Anouk Sickler " <zurumato wrote: > > this is probably nothing to do with it. > but in new york city, where I am originally from.. > there are a million little sparrows. > > I believe that they were brought over from England a long time ago. > It seems that they have adapted by being very clever and > eating the crumbs that people toss on the streets. > > They are very cute. > I used to feed em. > > however, I this summer, I found out that I was a criminal. > > you see mayor bloomberg passed a law that people are not suppose to > feed birds in nyc. > > This was recent and I did not know this. > some jerk actually passed by and said " lady you ain'tspossed to feed em " > I told him to get a life. but my mom actually told me that he was > right and that I might get a fine for this. > > that is sad. > > > > , fraggle <EBbrewpunx@> wrote: > > > > so, what is causing the lack of spiders over there? increased use of > pesticides? lack of prey for the spiders? > > > > > > >heartwerk <jo.heartwork@> > > >Feb 14, 2006 11:52 PM > > > > > > Decline in Sparrows Due to Lack of Spiders! > > > > > >The decline of the house sparrow, one of Britain's best known birds, > > >could be down to a lack of insects and spiders during the summer > > >months, experts say. > > >A De Montfort University team claims adult sparrows are struggling to > > >find enough food to feed their chicks in the early stages of their > > >lives. > > > > > >UK bird charity RSPB said measures that boosted insect numbers could > > >also help arrest the sparrows' decline. > > > > > >This included growing deciduous trees and shrubs and cutting > > >insecticide use. > > > > > >In August 2002, the house sparrow was added to the Red Data list of > > >bird species of conservation concern because their decline had been > > >more than 50% in the last 25 years. > > > > > >Between 1977 and 2000, house sparrow (Passer domesticus) numbers in > > >the UK declined by 65%. > > > > > >Kate Vincent, of De Montfort University in Leicester, put up more > > >than 600 nestboxes around the East Midlands city to study the birds' > > >breeding success, chick condition, diet and feeding habits. > > > > > >Ms Vincent found that chicks were more likely to starve if their diet > > >contained a high proportion of vegetable matter or ants, and less > > >likely to starve if their diet contained a high proportion of > > >spiders. > > > > > >More chicks were dying in the sparrows' second brood of the year, an > > >observation that may help to explain the overall population decline. > > >Because of the high chick mortality rate during winter, the species > > >needs two or three broods every year to keep the population at least > > >level. The De Montfort researcher found there was an 80% success rate > > >in the first brood, but a 65% success rate in the second. > > > > > > " While we can't pinpoint one simple cause of sparrows' decline, food > > >limitation during the breeding season does not have a negative impact > > >on nestling survival rates, " Ms Vincent explained. > > > > > >She added that the combined effects of relatively high rates of chick > > >starvation and low body masses at fledging (which influences survival > > >after fledging) observed in suburban localities are large enough to > > >result in rapid population declines. > > > > > >Thus far, there is no evidence that the birds' invertebrate prey have > > >fallen in abundance in urban and suburban of Britain. > > > > > > > > >Abundance of insect and spiders seems to affect survival (Image: Ray > > >Kennedy and rspb-images.com) > > >But Kate Vincent says it provides a plausible mechanism for the > > >observed declines in populations of the birds. > > > > > >Dr Will Peach, senior biologist at the Royal Society for the > > >Protection of Birds (RSPB), said: " Dr Vincent's study has clearly > > >demonstrated that a lack of insects in suburbia during summer > > >prevents house sparrows rearing their young. > > > > > > " Although we are not sure about the exact causes of the population > > >decline, any measures that boost insect numbers in gardens should > > >help nesting sparrows. " > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >To send an email to - > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 pidgeons are classed as vermin in many european cities............like its thier fault that they have been encouraged to breed and feed over the last decades...... I like watching huge flocks of starlings circling in the sky early in the morning, kinda spooky too! The Valley Vegan.............Anouk Sickler <zurumato wrote: this is probably nothing to do with it.but in new york city, where I am originally from..there are a million little sparrows. I believe that they were brought over from England a long time ago.It seems that they have adapted by being very clever and eating the crumbs that people toss on the streets. They are very cute. I used to feed em.however, I this summer, I found out that I was a criminal.you see mayor bloomberg passed a law that people are not suppose to feed birds in nyc.This was recent and I did not know this. some jerk actually passed by and said "lady you ain'tspossed to feed em"I told him to get a life. but my mom actually told me that he wasright and that I might get a fine for this. that is sad. , fraggle wrote:>> so, what is causing the lack of spiders over there? increased use ofpesticides? lack of prey for the spiders? > > > >heartwerk > >Feb 14, 2006 11:52 PM> > > > Decline in Sparrows Due to Lack of Spiders!> >> >The decline of the house sparrow, one of Britain's best known birds, > >could be down to a lack of insects and spiders during the summer > >months, experts say. > >A De Montfort University team claims adult sparrows are struggling to > >find enough food to feed their chicks in the early stages of their > >lives. > >> >UK bird charity RSPB said measures that boosted insect numbers could > >also help arrest the sparrows' decline. > >> >This included growing deciduous trees and shrubs and cutting > >insecticide use. > >> >In August 2002, the house sparrow was added to the Red Data list of > >bird species of conservation concern because their decline had been > >more than 50% in the last 25 years. > >> >Between 1977 and 2000, house sparrow (Passer domesticus) numbers in > >the UK declined by 65%. > >> >Kate Vincent, of De Montfort University in Leicester, put up more > >than 600 nestboxes around the East Midlands city to study the birds' > >breeding success, chick condition, diet and feeding habits. > >> >Ms Vincent found that chicks were more likely to starve if their diet > >contained a high proportion of vegetable matter or ants, and less > >likely to starve if their diet contained a high proportion of > >spiders. > >> >More chicks were dying in the sparrows' second brood of the year, an > >observation that may help to explain the overall population decline. > >Because of the high chick mortality rate during winter, the species > >needs two or three broods every year to keep the population at least > >level. The De Montfort researcher found there was an 80% success rate > >in the first brood, but a 65% success rate in the second. > >> >"While we can't pinpoint one simple cause of sparrows' decline, food > >limitation during the breeding season does not have a negative impact > >on nestling survival rates," Ms Vincent explained. > >> >She added that the combined effects of relatively high rates of chick > >starvation and low body masses at fledging (which influences survival > >after fledging) observed in suburban localities are large enough to > >result in rapid population declines. > >> >Thus far, there is no evidence that the birds' invertebrate prey have > >fallen in abundance in urban and suburban of Britain. > >> > > >Abundance of insect and spiders seems to affect survival (Image: Ray > >Kennedy and rspb-images.com) > >But Kate Vincent says it provides a plausible mechanism for the > >observed declines in populations of the birds. > >> >Dr Will Peach, senior biologist at the Royal Society for the > >Protection of Birds (RSPB), said: "Dr Vincent's study has clearly > >demonstrated that a lack of insects in suburbia during summer > >prevents house sparrows rearing their young. > >> >"Although we are not sure about the exact causes of the population > >decline, any measures that boost insect numbers in gardens should > >help nesting sparrows." > >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >To send an email to - > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 hi anouk i now its uery hard to fight on an on but i now lots of my freinds who go out bout 5,6 am to feed them in london stottheartwerk <jo.heartwork wrote: Hi AnoukThis is sad. It is the same in London where they removed the pigeon food vendors from Traflagar Square, and now people are not allowed to feed the pigeons. What are the pigeons supposed to do. They have been fed there for generations of human life! The other thing that happens is that hawks are used to kill them off :-)I suspect it will happen even more with avian flu around - just another excuse.Jo , "Anouk Sickler" <zurumato wrote:>> this is probably nothing to do with it.> but in new york city, where I am originally from..> there are a million little sparrows. > > I believe that they were brought over from England a long time ago.> It seems that they have adapted by being very clever and > eating the crumbs that people toss on the streets. > > They are very cute. > I used to feed em.> > however, I this summer, I found out that I was a criminal.> > you see mayor bloomberg passed a law that people are not suppose to > feed birds in nyc.> > This was recent and I did not know this. > some jerk actually passed by and said "lady you ain'tspossed to feed em"> I told him to get a life. but my mom actually told me that he was> right and that I might get a fine for this. > > that is sad. > > > > , fraggle <EBbrewpunx@> wrote:> >> > so, what is causing the lack of spiders over there? increased use of> pesticides? lack of prey for the spiders? > > > > > > >heartwerk <jo.heartwork@>> > >Feb 14, 2006 11:52 PM> > > > > > Decline in Sparrows Due to Lack of Spiders!> > >> > >The decline of the house sparrow, one of Britain's best known birds, > > >could be down to a lack of insects and spiders during the summer > > >months, experts say. > > >A De Montfort University team claims adult sparrows are struggling to > > >find enough food to feed their chicks in the early stages of their > > >lives. > > >> > >UK bird charity RSPB said measures that boosted insect numbers could > > >also help arrest the sparrows' decline. > > >> > >This included growing deciduous trees and shrubs and cutting > > >insecticide use. > > >> > >In August 2002, the house sparrow was added to the Red Data list of > > >bird species of conservation concern because their decline had been > > >more than 50% in the last 25 years. > > >> > >Between 1977 and 2000, house sparrow (Passer domesticus) numbers in > > >the UK declined by 65%. > > >> > >Kate Vincent, of De Montfort University in Leicester, put up more > > >than 600 nestboxes around the East Midlands city to study the birds' > > >breeding success, chick condition, diet and feeding habits. > > >> > >Ms Vincent found that chicks were more likely to starve if their diet > > >contained a high proportion of vegetable matter or ants, and less > > >likely to starve if their diet contained a high proportion of > > >spiders. > > >> > >More chicks were dying in the sparrows' second brood of the year, an > > >observation that may help to explain the overall population decline. > > >Because of the high chick mortality rate during winter, the species > > >needs two or three broods every year to keep the population at least > > >level. The De Montfort researcher found there was an 80% success rate > > >in the first brood, but a 65% success rate in the second. > > >> > >"While we can't pinpoint one simple cause of sparrows' decline, food > > >limitation during the breeding season does not have a negative impact > > >on nestling survival rates," Ms Vincent explained. > > >> > >She added that the combined effects of relatively high rates of chick > > >starvation and low body masses at fledging (which influences survival > > >after fledging) observed in suburban localities are large enough to > > >result in rapid population declines. > > >> > >Thus far, there is no evidence that the birds' invertebrate prey have > > >fallen in abundance in urban and suburban of Britain. > > >> > > > > >Abundance of insect and spiders seems to affect survival (Image: Ray > > >Kennedy and rspb-images.com) > > >But Kate Vincent says it provides a plausible mechanism for the > > >observed declines in populations of the birds. > > >> > >Dr Will Peach, senior biologist at the Royal Society for the > > >Protection of Birds (RSPB), said: "Dr Vincent's study has clearly > > >demonstrated that a lack of insects in suburbia during summer > > >prevents house sparrows rearing their young. > > >> > >"Although we are not sure about the exact causes of the population > > >decline, any measures that boost insect numbers in gardens should > > >help nesting sparrows." > > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >To send an email to - > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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