RYEDALE farmers are being asked to add their support to a campaign to boost the tree sparrow population.

Ryedale District Council has a supply of tree sparrow boxes which are available free-of-charge to local farmers who have this bird on their land. This project is part of the Ryedale Biodiversity Action Plan - a new initiative to conserve threatened wildlife in the district.

Tree sparrows are the rural cousins of the familiar house sparrow. They are seed-eating songbirds which usually nest in holes in old hedgerow trees. Numbers have dwindled by nearly 90pc since the 1970s and the species has disappeared from some counties. However, Ryedale remains an important stronghold, with breeding populations in around 15 parishes, both around farmsteads and on the outskirts of villages.

Martin Hammond, conservation officer for Ryedale District Council, explained why tree sparrows are in decline: "Firstly modern farming methods mean that weed seeds and waste grain are much less plentiful on farmland than they once were. Secondly, old hedgerow trees are often in short supply, partly due to the effects of Dutch elm disease in the 1970s.

Mr Hammond added: A lack of nest sites can be a major problem for tree sparrows. They are sociable birds which nest in small colonies but suitable natural sites are often in short supply. One simple measure is to put up suitable bird boxes."

For more information please contact Mr Hammond on (01653) 600666 (ext 333).

Updated: 09:06 Thursday, January 10, 2002