House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is indeed a special bird that was common decades ago. They were considered a good-will bird, so boxes, pots with holes were kept inviting them to nest near our houses. Sparrows were a common scene in most the public places like markets or railway stations. But this bird once commonly recorded started to disappear without our knowledge. Now Sparrows are gone from many places they were once common or their numbers have reduced. This decline of sparrows has been recorded from different parts of the world puzzling the Ornithologists.
The decline of Sparrow under our radar has also highlighted the importance of keeping an eye even on common species. To highlight these facts and promote sparrow conservation, the 20th March has been declared as World Sparrows Day (WSD) by a group of Environmental Organizations around the world. The theme this year is given as “Rise for the Sparrows” urging the public to have a look at these birds once common in their vicinity.
The World Sparrow’s Day has been initiated by the Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France) and numerous other national and international organisations across the world according to Wikipidea. Their website http://www.worldsparrowday.org mentions the theme ‘Rise for the Sparrow’ is aimed at empowering and inspiring citizens, corporate and educational institution to actively get involved in sparrow conservation, monitoring and creating awareness with regard to the conservation of house sparrow and other common birds. They aim to reach out to people across the the world to empower them with simple solutions which will not involve a lot of time and resources but at the same time will have a significant impact on sparrow conservation.
Elephants or Leopard could be more threatened, but we can do very little to protect them. But here is an opportunity to study and help a bird that is being declined in our presence. Following is World Sparrow Day organizers mentioned on ways you can help the Sparrows..
Male House Sparrow (c) Wikipedia
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE (Extract from http://www.worldsparrowday.org)
Every creature has a significant role to play in the web of life. Just as the little house sparrow is a major indicator of the health of our environment, each of us can help in various ways to protect the house sparrow. We need to come forward to help the bird by raising awareness on the issue. We also need to start house sparrow habitat conservation drives by providing water and food regularly, by switching back to organic gardening, planting more hedges and putting up nest boxes dedicated to house sparrows.
CHIRP FOR THE HOUSE SPARROW!
Do you identify with the problem the house sparrow faces? Share with us ways you came up with to help the bird.
Would you like to help but can’t think of a way to reach out? Look up our ideas. Which group do you identify with? There’s an idea for everyone!
The lonesome one some sparrow :
If you are an individual and would prefer to celebrate World Sparrow Day by yourself or with a small group, you could resolve to set out a sparrow feeder filled with grain and a fresh bowl of water every day beginning March (?) 2011, at the same time and the same place. House sparrows love seeds and kitchen scraps. They feed their young insects with aphids and caterpillars. Most birds need to drink water at least twice a day, throughout the year. Sparrows, which are seed eaters, need more water since the seeds are dry. Put out a shallow dish of clean water in a shady place. Make sure the water is changed regularly, otherwise, the birds can fall ill.
Gather information :
on the problem and address a group of people to raise awareness.
Cosy twosome :
Sparrows are known to be extremely loyal to their partners. Just like you! Celebrate their commitment to each other with your loved one. One reason why there are fewer house sparrows is modern construction. House sparrows love to tuck into crevices but glass and concrete constructions leave little space for them. You can order nest boxes made of recycled wood from us or put up your own.
The happy, chirpy family :
Go for a picnic. Remember to take some grain. Set them out near a thicket, some distance from you, and watch for sparrows and other small birds. Teach children the importance of birds and how we must give them space. Make sure you leave the picnic spot as clean as you found it except for the crumbs and grain you left for your feathered friends.
A school of sparrows :
Are you a member of your school Ecology Club? Celebrate WSD with a presentation on why we need the house sparrow, the dangers it is facing and how each of you can help. Put up feeders and nesting boxes.
Prof Sparrow :
College eco clubs can twitter away. Organise an awareness campaign with posters and audio visual information in a public place that draws the most footfalls and eyeballs, like the entrance lobby of your college. Put up feeders and nesting boxes.
Sparrow community :
There is a lot more you can do in your neighbourhood, office or institution! Request the local municipal authorities to permit you to plant hedges in the park. Don’t allow the hedges to be landscaped, since that is dangerous to birds, small animals and insects. Place grain bowls regularly at one place in the park or on the window sill, but make sure the feeding birds are safe from dogs, cats and human footfalls.
E-savvy sparrow :
Are you adept at social networking? Place our link and all the others that deal with the house sparrow on your account so that all your friends get to know about the threat to the doughty little bird.
Tags: Citizen Science
Window to Nature 
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