Record number of breeding tree sparrows at WWT Martin Mere
WWT Martin Mere experienced record numbers of breeding tree sparrows this year, with 83 breeding pairs, an increase of 25% from 2010.
Tree Sparrows were once common in the area but between 1970 and 2006, it is believed that numbers had dropped by a massive 93%. Martin Mere undertakes a tree sparrow ringing programme to monitor the numbers of the birds. We believe a minimum of 415 Tree Sparrows would have fledged from Martin Mere this year and for the first time we have used specific colour rings so that we can identify the young as being born here at the Centre in the future.
Centre Manager, Andy Wooldridge, said: “We believe that this season has been so successful because of an increase in food available for the birds. Tree sparrows like to nest near water and they feed their young on insects for the protein. Changes in weather with short spells of rain and increased humidity have resulted in an abundance of insects for them to feed on.”
Tree Sparrows do tend to stay local all through the year and they can easily be viewed at Martin Mere and Mere Sands Wood.
