More traffic, a loss of green spaces and the paving over of city gardens are being blamed for the birds’ numbers falling by 68% in 15 years.

The RSPB has warned that sparrows may disappear altogether if sanctuaries are not built in the city.
The scheme, which will cost £170,000, is being funded by the SITA Trust, which raises money through taxes on rubbish sent to landfill.

RSPB representative Tim Webb said patches of wild grass and flowers in parks would attract insects, which in turn will draw sparrows to feed.

“In Greater London sparrow numbers are down 68% on what they were in 1994, and there are some parts of central London where you don't see them at all any more,” he said.

The wild patches will be created in parks including Hampstead Heath, Tooting Common, Primrose Hill and Leyton Marshes.
Other sites involved in the three-year project include Green Park, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens.

The scheme will be supported by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, City of London, the Royal Parks Agency, Wandsworth Borough Council, Islington Council and Southwark Council.

 

You can help at home in your garden whether you live in london or anywhere else in the country by creating the environment for insects, the sparrows favorite food for their chicks.

 

It dosen't mean a complete garden re-design. You can leave a section of your garden to overgrown, or it  can be as simple as buying a bird feeder from your local garden centre and keeping it stocked with mixed bird seed all year round. The seed will suppliment the diet if their is a shotage of insects.

 

If you want to grow plants and shrubs for sparrows plant climbers such as honeysuckle and ivy, the flowers attract insects and sparrows can roost in the foliage, wild roses not only bring a summer scent to the garden they also attract insects.