Former resident, not recorded since 1990.

Tree Sparrows in Britain have declined by 89% since the 1970’s and, have virtually disappeared as a breeding species in south east England, the reason for this decline is not fully understood. There have been other unexplained fluctuations in the past. Their population remained stable from the end of the nineteenth century until 1930 when a slow decline began that continued until about 1955. In the 1960s many areas were re-colonised, reaching a peak in the 1970s, when the present decline began. Habitat loss, especially the loss of hedgerows, changes in farming practices and the use of insecticides have been suggested as the cause of the decline.

 Mr S. Maples obtained a male at Fairlands Farm on 25 November 1907 and claimed that it was, “by no means a common bird here”. The following year, 1908, he reported that they were, “much more abundant than usual”. Foster (1914) stated that, “specimens had been noticed at Fairlands Farm and two birds had been obtained at different times.” In Hine (1934), Foster stated that Tree Sparrows, “are by no means uncommon in the district. Definite increase in winter.”  

The records from the 1960s are: One in a Raleigh Crescent Garden between 5 and 8 August 1965 and 30 at the Old Sewage Works, Roaring Meg on 12 February 1968.

In the 1970s and 1980s the records are: 50 at Box Wood on 16 February 1970 feeding on food put out for Pheasants; 30 at Box Wood on 26 March 1974; 12 at Fairlands Valley in January and March 1974; 43 at Nine Acre Spring (near what is now Cleveland Way, Great Ashby) on 24 November 1974, 20 at Fairlands Valley on 22 March 1975; 50 at Astonbury on 12 February 1977; 30 at Astonbury on 9 April 1977; 50 at Norton Green Tip in a mixed finch flock on 16 November 1977; at least 10 birds at Astonbury Wood on 5 March 1978; Astonbury 1979; 11 ringed in Box Wood 1979; Astonbury Wood 1980.

They were confirmed as breeding in seven of Stevenage’s tetrads in the 1973 Breeding Atlas and from one in the 1992 Atlas.

At Watery Grove the Common Bird Census recorded them holding a single territory in 1973, and as being present in the 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1981 breeding seasons. 

The most recent records are of one in a Windsor Close garden in 1988, and proven breeding at Aston in 1990.