"Geoff Mackenzie" wrote in message
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"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
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In article ,
Jim Lesurf wrote:
In article , Dave Plowman (News)
wrote:
In article , Iain Churches
wrote:
Sparrows used to be about the most common bird in this part of
London. Then all but disappeared perhaps 10 years ago. And
although
they've returned, in nowhere near the same numbers.

What happened to cause a reduction in their numbers?

I dunno. I've searched, but found no definitive answer. They seemed to
disappear near overnight.

I've hear mention of this a number of times. In general with people also
saying they don't know the cause.

I heard that it was the unexpected result of an ill-judged campaign by the
RSPB to preserve the sparrowhawk, but I have no idea if there is any truth
in this.


We are going down to the RSPB at Sandy in a while, if I can find someone
suitable I will ask about this. We get a sparrowhawk making fairly regular
appearances in the garden and its diet seems to be mainly collared doves! It
makes you feel bad about chucking food out - it's almost like you are making
the birds into bait!

Swimbo has just called out to say there was a woodpecker in the garden just
now; we do get a variety of birds here for a town garden, I hafta say!