Ok, while this might strike most of you as a good thing - I have just returned from a ten day trip to London, where a walk through St. James Park (one of my new favorite places) and Green Park revealed some unexpected ecological management.
A friend and I were walking the park, enjoying an unexpectedly sunny afternoon and we came upon a grassy area that had been roped off by park managers. Of course, the environmental educator in me had to stop to read the small laminated sign at the edge to find out more. The area (and several others like it in City parks) are being managed to encourage the return of the English Sparrow, a bird that once populated London and the UK by enormous flocks. In the 1970's the sparrow population began to decline, possibly due to decrease in food source, nest sites, and an increase in predation by magpies and squirrels. These social birds, (that we commonly find in our bluebird boxes, home improvement stores, and fast food parking lots) are colonial nesters - and it is not uncommon for people to put up "sparrow flats" to provide additional nesting sites for these birds in decline.
Just after finishing the 24 hour Bird A Thon event (where even the U.S. pest, the House Sparrow counts toward team totals), it was an interesting shift in perspective to see first hand the difference an ocean can make in conservation perspective and species appreciation.
For more information about the English Sparrow, check out: http://www.britishbirdlovers.co.uk/articles/the-decline-of-the-house-sparrow.html
It's interesting that we find what are normally common species in decline. This adds to the whole issue of the environment and its protection. I like it that you are informing and educating people on such issues, keep up the good work.
Posted by: Paul | 10/30/2010 at 03:23 PM