"David Looser" wrote in message
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"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
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In article ,
Iain Churches wrote:
As I keep on saying, they disappeared near totally in a very short
time round here after being by far the most numerous bird species. Far
more common in an urban garden etc than even pigeons. Farming
practices don't change that quickly - nor are there any near here.

The number of cats has probably not increased that
dramatically either. So what can be the reason?

My guess would be something like a virus. But I'm surprised it was never
confirmed. Almost like some form of conspiracy.


A conspiracy! wow, why would there be a "conspiracy" to hide the true
cause of the decline of sparrows?

But your initial argument, that a rapid decline cannot be caused by a
relatively slow change in farming practices doesn't really stand up.
Populations can crash when the increasing stresses just tip the species
into the point where it cannot maintain it's population level.


I think in bird terms the last two or three decades of the development of
farming practices are probably quite quick but the thing is that if birds
can't find a food supply they won't raise young.