House Sparrows - Their Decline Explained and Current Status in Barnet - INTRODUCTIONPlease accept this work on house sparrows, explaining with the aid of over sixty photographs, my observations on how habitat loss is responsible for sparrow decline; and why the present situation will - despite research - get progressively worse, resulting in the continued loss of suburban house sparrows for years to come, until most are gone.
Until the real reason for the sparrows’ demise is fully understood and radical action is taken to protect them through appropriate alterations to planning and building regulations, nothing will change from the current position where researches are wasting time, effort and money at the expense of the future survival of our city house sparrows. House Sparrows - Their Decline Explained and Current Status in Barnet, is the result of several months work and years of observation. Read it, study it, and disagree with it if you have to, but it cannot be ignored. Nothing I’ve read or witnessed during this time has altered my original conclusions that adequate cover plays a crucial part in the life of sparrows in areas where they are allowed to nest - except how obstinate through unawareness many people are.
See a house sparrow emerge from a roof and fly into a hedge at some houses but not at others, because they have no access to the roof and there is no cover available, and it doesn’t need a genius to appreciate the reality of why sparrows are only around certain properties. Yet it does take intelligence to realise that habitat loss is the reason sparrows have suffered, and not some spurious as yet undiscovered cause. Habitat loss is not just a contributory factor. My essay is how I currently see the present state of house sparrows in Barnet, London and the rest of the UK’s urban and suburban districts where changes have occurred, removing cover and nesting places.
Being polite and respectful of other people’s work and opinions on sparrows is all very well, but does not benefit the bird while its habitat continues to be destroyed. No administration is preventing hedge removal or stopping roof space evictions, and there’s no financial help and advice offered for those who have sparrows. If I sound miffed, it’s because I am; frustrated with the lack of positive guidance available and the need for action to physically help sparrows. I’m sure the American passenger pigeon had concerned individuals who sat in committees saying: “...so that’s agreed then, we’ll wait for the research results before we do something practical...” and then the poor bird disappeared forever.
If only someone in the Media, known for their interest in birds would have the courage and independence of mind to understand and publicise the habitat loss - cause and effect problem, it could make all the difference. But many have links to bird organisations and are hardly likely to disagree with, or take their own line on house sparrow loss which differs from the all-pervading ‘we just don’t know yet’ stance of the large bird establishments - and so the status-quo continues. Surely no one could criticise organisations that care for birds? Well I do. Too little is being done.
My commentary is not meant to offend; it’s how I see sparrow matters from my position as a Londoner and bird enthusiast, who does not want to witness the eradication of house sparrows from my home city without making a fuss - especially while good intentioned people do little of worth to halt their passing. This article is being sent to many people involved with sparrows, so please turn the page and read. My printer does not do the pictures justice, but if you request this on disk, the sharpness & beauty of the sparrows is there to enjoy. Now read the Main Article Thank you, Donald Lyven |
