Rare Birds Find a Home

AN endangered species of British bird has found a home in the Midlands thanks to a pioneering farming and conservation project. The rare tree sparrow has begun thriving at Lime Pits Farm, in Rushall, Walsall, along with reedbuntings and yellowhammers.

Walsall Council countryside officers have been working in partnership with the farmer, John Adams, for the past 12 years to show that a modern farm can be both productive and a have for wildlife.

Senior council countryside officer Dave Grundy said: “For a number of years we only had one nesting pair of tree sparrows. Then they disappeared altogether for three years.

“We thought they were locally extinct but earlier this year I spotted a new pair. Through the national Countryside Stewardship scheme we were then able to pay for the sowing of a wildbird seed mix. “This has now provideda source of winter food for up to 18 tree sparrows, plus a handful of reed buntings and yellowhammers.”

Mr Grundy said birds had been attracted by other operations, such as leaving stubble in one field over winter which had helped draw in buntings, finches, skylarks and woodcocks. Further information about Walsall’s modern farming and conservation projects is available by calling countryside services on 0121 360 9464