The Herts Bird Club is the lead partner for the Hertfordshire Tree Sparrow Action Plan and for over a decade we have been monitoring the nest box populations at Coursers Farm and Tyttenhanger Farm – the only known breeding colonies in the county.
 The 2009 breeding season was the best ever with 79 young fledged from 25 nests – the highest number we have ever recorded. Tree sparrows are multi-brooded, so it is always difficult to know how many pairs are involved, but there were 12 simultaneous nesting attempts which gives a minimum figure.
With such high numbers fledging in 2009 we are hopeful of an increase in numbers in 2010 and, ever optimistic, we plan to increase the numbers of boxes over the winter to accommodate them.
Follow the link here to read a copy of the full report.
 The Tree Sparrow project is only possible because of the efforts of a team of volunteers: Ken Smith, Jim Terry, Peter Delaloye, who monitor the nest boxes; and Steve Blake, Daphne Deane, Alan Gardiner and Rupert Pyrah who look after the supplementary feeding during the winter months. We also wish to thank the staff at Willows Farm for their help and co-operation. Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK has provided financial support for the project and willingly accommodated the needs of the tree sparrows in their site operations at Tyttenhanger sand and gravel quarry.
In the winter, tree sparrows can be seen from the public footpaths around Tyttenhanger Farm. |
