Skip navigation

Tree sparrow BAP report

Tree sparrow perching on old farm building
Following RSPB advocacy, the tree sparrow was accepted as a target species in the Higher Level Scheme in England

What are we trying to achieve?

The Government agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. The targets for this plan were revised in 2006 and are as follows:

  • In the long term, see a sustained recovery in numbers so that the BBS index is at least 50% higher than 1996 levels by 2008.
  • Expand the range from that of 1996, as measured by the frequency in random BBS squares, by 2008
  • In England, ensure the Breeding Birds Survey (BBS) index is no longer showing a negative trend by 2010 and is at least at 100% of the 2003 level by 2015. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales ensure the population is at 100% of the 2010 baseline by 2015. Immediate priority for these countries will be to establish the baseline population by 2010
  • In England and Wales, maintain the percentage of occupied BBS squares at the 2003 level. In Northern Ireland and Scotland, maintain the percentage of occupied BBS (i.e. 1 km) squares at 2010 levels by 2015. The immediate priority in NI and Scotland will be to establish the baseline

What is the RSPB doing to help?

The RSPB is making a substantial contribution to the UK BAP for tree sparrow and other farmland birds through research, advocacy and advisory work. Following RSPB advocacy, the tree sparrow was accepted as a target species in the Higher Level Scheme in England.

A detailed research study, focusing on tree sparrows breeding around Rutland Water in the East Midlands of England, ran from 2001-2004. This was co-funded by English Nature (now incorporated within Natural England) and Anglian Water with support from the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, and additional sponsorship from CJ WildBird Foods. The study investigated the factors limiting the population and identified conservation measures to allow population recovery.

In 2004, we identified three localities – Wessex, north-west England and Lothian/Borders – for a targeted package of measures to aid recovery. Landowners in target areas are being encouraged to provide supplementary food, and are being supplied with nestboxes in order to allow expansion of colonies. (Moved to acknowledgements)

In 2006 we:

  • Continued the tree sparrow recovery initiatives at the three localities. Preliminary results suggest that tree sparrows are taking advantage of the supplementary food and nestboxes provided
  • Continued a Defra-funded study on agri-environment prescriptions to ‘wet-up’ farmland to benefit tree sparrows and other farmland birds
  • Started a research project in Northern Ireland to determine what factors determined the spread of tree sparrows away from existing colonies around the shore of Lough Neagh

Summary of progress

Population indices for farmland birds are based on long-term monitoring schemes, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) funded Common Birds Census (CBC), for which 2000 was the final year, and its successor, the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Although the BBS index for 1994-2005 increased by a statistically significant 23%, it is too early to judge whether this is a true reversal of the long-term decline as evidenced by the CBC/BBS trend of a 93% decline between 1970 and 2003. We are a still some way from achieving the BAP targets, despite their revision.

The research study found, through the experimental provision of nest boxes and winter seed food, that locally recruiting birds have a strong preference to nest close to wetland edge habitats, relative to open farmland. The importance of an abundance and diversity of invertebrates for chick food was demonstrated through studying foraging behaviour of adults and by identifying the contents of chick droppings. The young are fed a large amount of aquatic invertebrates. The adults breeding adjacent to wetland foraged mainly in marginal habitats such as willows, sedge, shingle and wet grassland and appear to switch between prey types depending on availability. Productivity was high and sufficient to provide a source population. The importance of winter seed food availability is likely to operate on a larger scale as birds are more mobile in winter. In landscapes without adequate winter food resources, tree sparrows are unlikely to persist.

Severn Trent employees and volunteers have helped to provide over 400 nestboxes and 4 tonnes of seed to support a population of 500 birds, many living in isolated colonies which are dependent on the provision of seed. Advice has been given to the farming community and general public, encouraging regular feeding and the planting of seed-rich habitat strips.

Agricultural intensification has reduced the numbers of many invertebrate groups and it is possible that large areas of UK farmland no longer provide the seasonal variety and numbers of invertebrates required for tree sparrows to produce enough young to maintain their numbers. There is a need for conservation measures to provide resources at appropriate scales to ensure population recovery. A number of the generic prescriptions within some of the agri-environment schemes may benefit tree sparrows but, with the exception of Entry Level Stewardship in England, they are unlikely to be available on a wide enough scale. The tree sparrow is a target species in the Higher Tier Scheme in England. A package of measures should be promoted in target areas to aid tree sparrow recovery in key localities.

Has our work been effective?

It is hard to gauge the direct effects of advocacy and advisory work on bird numbers but the indications are that our work has been effective in raising awareness of the decline in farmland birds such as the tree sparrow, both among farmers and politicians. Through our research work, we have a good understanding of an effective management package for recovery and this should be deployed through the Entry and Higher Level Schemes in England.

The uptake of the Volunteer & Farmer Alliance project is very encouraging and should produce tangible results in the future. It is too early to expect a positive biological outcome for this species but the RSPB has been enormously influential in laying the foundations for recovery through diagnostic research, advocacy and advice.

What do we plan to do next?

  • Continue to press government departments to ensure that farmland birds are effectively targeted through agri-environment schemes
  • Continue efforts at UK and EU level to ensure that rural development funding and, in particular, agri-environment funding is increased, not decreased
  • Continue the targeted recovery projects, and monitor them so that the ability to increase numbers through targeted initiatives can be assessed
  • Promote a package of measures, in particular supplementary feeding and the provision of nest-boxes, as widely as possible among the public in tree sparrow areas. Apply these measures on relevant RSPB nature reserves
  • Use the RSPB’s Volunteer & Farmer Alliance project to identify farms with tree sparrows, and encourage farmers to apply for entry to relevant agri-environment schemes and manage their land appropriately
  • Continue research project on ‘wetting up’ farmland and promote positive results as management options for inclusion in agri-environment schemes
  • Assess how tree sparrows respond to agri-environment prescriptions within full evaluation of HLS delivery
  • Continue research on what governs colonisation of new areas by tree sparrows in Northern Ireland 

What are the constraints to fully achieving the targets?

  • Lack of widespread prescriptive management due to funding constraints on agri-environment schemes

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Natural England for its financial support towards the north-west England initiative, part of Action for Birds in England, a conservation partnership between NE and the RSPB.

The research project in Northern Ireland has been funded by the Lough Neagh Partnership; a funding body which draws down European money for project work within the Lough Neagh Wetlands and the seven local councils that surround the Lough. The RSPB and The Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI) were partners in this project.

Last modified: 04 September 2007