Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

Associated Species Action Plans Brown hare Grey partridge Skylark Song thrush Associated Habitat action plans Arable fields Arable field margins and beetle banks Hedgerows Woodland

In Great Britain, the habitat favoured by the tree sparrow is mixed farmland with hedges and hedgerow trees, and also at times light woodland. Data accumulated from long-term census and survey work indicates that over the past 25 years this species has declined nationally by 87%. In 1965, the breeding population in Britain and Ireland was estimated to be about 900,000 pairs, falling to 130,000 - 140,000 pairs by 1989. This decline was the largest for any common bird species during these years. Research by West Midlands Bird Club appears to confirm this decline has also taken place in the West Midlands and that the decline in Birmingham and the Black Country may be even worse.

The recent decline of the tree sparrow as with other farmland seed-eaters, notably skylark, linnet, reed bunting and corn bunting, has coincided with an intensification in farming methods. This has meant, amongst other factors, the removal of hedgerows and hedgerow trees, which provide valuable feeding and breeding opportunities for this hole-nesting species. The change from spring-sown to autumn-sown crops has resulted in very little seed rich over-winter stubble being available for farmland birds to exploit.

Those mosaics of mixed farmland, that once offered a wide diversity of important feeding and nesting habitats, are being replaced by more specialized arable and livestock regimes. Another major factor considered to be causing the decline of the tree sparrow is the more widespread use of herbicides for controlling weeds on farmland. Also, increased use of pesticides has resulted in fewer invertebrates, which are typically fed to young. Other factors include habitat loss due to urban development and the fragmentation of population.

Agri-environmental schemes, such as Countryside Stewardship, Arable Area Payments Scheme and Set-aside and Spring-Sowing should favour tree sparrow breeding success.

3.1 Legal status

The tree sparrow is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the European Birds Directive.

3.2 Management, research and guidance

A National Action Plan has been produced for the tree sparrow and a number of nest box schemes are now in operation in certain areas. Within the Birmingham and Black Country region, a successful nest box scheme at Pedmore in Dudley produced 54 fledglings from 16 broods in 9 boxes during the 1997 breeding season - when the first 20 boxes were erected. Strictly comparable figures are not available for 1998 and 1999, but last year a further five boxes were erected and a total of 16 were used by tree sparrows. This year, a damaged box was removed, but at least 18 boxes were used by the species. This may be interpreted as a 100% increase in breeding population in two years, assuming that first, second and occasional third broods are all reared in the same nest box and not in another, previously unused box.

It is hoped to erect nest boxes in the Lutley area (where a small population of tree sparrows survives) this winter. Walsall Countryside Services will be targeting tree sparrows with the erection of 30 nest boxes on a local farmland site during 1999, in addition to a smaller scheme already in place. Walsall Countryside Services also have 17 Countryside Stewardship Schemes currently in operation. These schemes target the planting of new hedgerows and restoration of old hedgerows on farmland, in addition to providing winter stubble.

ACTION	Potential Deliverers		YEARS							Meets Objective No.
	Lead	Partner	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2011
5.1 Policy and legislation
Seek the inclusion of effective measures which protect tree sparrows and their habitats in UDPs and/ or other policy documents.	LAs	EN, WT	As UDPs and other policy documents are prepared							2
5.2 Site/species management and protection
Establish hedgerow tree planting schemes, ultimately to provide natural nesting sites, but also as replacement trees for nest boxes.	FWAG	LAs, LO, BTCV								2,3
Establish at least one nest box scheme within each population of tree sparrows	EN	RSPB, LO, LAs, LCG								2,3
5.3 Advisory
Produce management guidelines to landowners for the conservation of the tree sparrow in conjunction with other farmland birds	EN	LO, LAs, FWAG, RSPB								2,3,4
5.4 Future research and monitoring
Establish survey schemes to identify population changes and monitor conservation actions	EN	LCG, WT, ER, RSPB								1
5.5 Communications and publicity
Prepare and publish leaflet on the tree sparrow in Birmingham & the Black Country	LAs, WMBC	WT, LCG, RSPB, EN								4
5.6 Links to other action plans
Arable fields, arable field margins and beetle banks, hedgerows, woodland

This Biodiversity Action Plan will be implemented over 10 years with a first review after 5 years. A group will be set up to co-ordinate implementation and to report to the Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group. This group will meet at a minimum on a yearly basis.

Review will be carried out in conjunction with related Habitat and Species Action Plans as appropriate and will consist of measuring achievement of targets. The group will, with the support of the Steering Group, develop and implement appropriate monitoring methods, which will inform the review process.

The Action Plan will be revised and updated in the light of review results and any relevant changes in circumstances and / or additional information which becomes available during the review period.

In line with national guidance, the Steering Group will report to the UK Biodiversity Steering Group.

Biodiversity Action Plan for Birmingham and the Black Country © 2000

Printing of this publication for educational purposes is permitted, provided that copies are not made or distributed for commercial gain, and the title of the publication and its date appear. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires specific permission from the Steering Group.