06/01: 2009: Latest RSPB sparrow project
Islington's Laycock Street Park is part of a new London-wide research project looking to restore the Capital's failing house sparrow population. Numbers of this common garden bird have fallen 68% in London over the past 15 years. Other Islington sites involved in the project include Paradise Park and Whittington Park.
RSPB research suggests that a lack of food may be responsible so a major new three-year project has been launched to test the theory. It will involved growing different types of grass in discrete areas of parks, like Laycock Street. The idea is that the grass will provide food for birds and other wildlife in the form of seeds and insects. Islington Borough Council is one of seven partners involved in helping the RSPB unravel the mystery of our vanishing house sparrows.
To find out more about the Heritage Lottery funded project, or what you can do the help save house sparrows, contact the RSPB London team on 020 7808 1260 or email them at london@rspb.org.uk There is also an article in our Library page.
(Dr John Mallord, research scientist, at Laycock St, with a sparrow, photo credit Leo Hornack, and sparrow having its leg measured at Laycock St, photo credit RSPB)
You can also help monitor the changing UK bird population by taking part in the 30th annual Big Garden Birdwatch over the weekend of 24/25 January. Participants record the highest number of each species of bird seen in their garden at any one time over the course of one hour and send the results, good or bad, to the RSPB for analysis. A free recording sheet and full details are available from www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.
RSPB research suggests that a lack of food may be responsible so a major new three-year project has been launched to test the theory. It will involved growing different types of grass in discrete areas of parks, like Laycock Street. The idea is that the grass will provide food for birds and other wildlife in the form of seeds and insects. Islington Borough Council is one of seven partners involved in helping the RSPB unravel the mystery of our vanishing house sparrows.
To find out more about the Heritage Lottery funded project, or what you can do the help save house sparrows, contact the RSPB London team on 020 7808 1260 or email them at london@rspb.org.uk There is also an article in our Library page.
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(Dr John Mallord, research scientist, at Laycock St, with a sparrow, photo credit Leo Hornack, and sparrow having its leg measured at Laycock St, photo credit RSPB)
You can also help monitor the changing UK bird population by taking part in the 30th annual Big Garden Birdwatch over the weekend of 24/25 January. Participants record the highest number of each species of bird seen in their garden at any one time over the course of one hour and send the results, good or bad, to the RSPB for analysis. A free recording sheet and full details are available from www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.
