Citizen science finds key garden features could help sparrows - Essex Wildlife Trust

Essex Wildlife Trust survey results reveal how we can support this declining species.

Essex Wildlife Trust announces the results of the House Sparrow Project, a citizen science initiative that saw hundreds of people in Essex surveying their gardens for house sparrows in early spring.

House sparrow populations have declined by 69% in England since the 1970s and have been listed as a Red List species of conservation concern. The reasons for this are not fully understood, and factors such as food availability, habitat loss and reduced nesting sites are all thought to have an impact.

Thanks to keen citizen scientists in Essex, the House Sparrow Project has provided key insights into how we can support house sparrow populations at home.

Gardens that had ponds, bird feeders, less artificial grass and less decking/paving in favour of more natural habitat, had higher numbers of house sparrows.

The study also investigated breeding sparrows, which were more likely to be observed at properties providing nest boxes. The Trust’s results showed that nest boxes with 31-35mm entrance holes are more effective, but only when multiple boxes are arranged together in clusters.