The RSPB is urging anyone who can spot sparrows in their garden to take action this winter to help them before the spring returns.
House sparrows are ‘in trouble’, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says. The UK house sparrow population has been cut in half, and even in the past year, the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch registered a worrying 12.6% fewer house sparrows in gardens in England than in 2024.
That’s why anyone who gets house sparrows where they live is being urged to do something to help them this year.
The RSPB says: House Sparrows are in trouble – the UK population has halved for reasons that we don’t fully understand. However, there are things you can do to help. Putting up a nestbox on your house walls is a great way to start”
The RSPB says you can buy a ready made birdbox, or make one yourself using the guide on its website.
The best place to put one is under the eaves of your roof, or high up on a wall. It says: “Ideally, it will be under the eaves of your house or high on a wall. Make sure you have the homeowner’s permission before putting up a nestbox.
“The box will need to be at least 3m (10 feet) from the ground, facing north or east to avoid it getting too hot or wet. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight and don’t put it over a doorway or well-used path.”
It also recommends using thick, quality wood to stop it from warping or getting too cold or hot, and to make sure you get it ready now, in autumn or winter, so that it’s set up for the return of spring.
The RSPB adds: “The thickness is important to insulate the box from cold and heat and to stop the box warping). You can use exterior-quality plywood (for a light box) or, for something more sturdy, hardwoods (such as oak and beech) or soft wood (such as pine, but this will deteriorate more quickly). Buy timber approved by the Forest Stewardship Council – look for the FSC logo.
“Sparrows will start house hunting in spring. There is never a guarantee they’ll move in, but if you’re lucky you should see the males proudly chirping from nearby, or even from the roof of the box. Sparrows are sensitive to disturbance at the nest and are protected by law. So watch and enjoy from a distance. You may be lucky to see them raising several broods in there across the season.”
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