Munich, Bavaria, Germany – The once-common sight of sparrows pecking crumbs from café tables is now a rarity in Munich’s Altstadt. According to Oliver Wittig, a dedicated volunteer with the State Association for Bird Protection (LBV) for 20 years and a member of the ÖDP party, the last sparrow colony in the city center disappeared years ago. Wittig, who participates in annual bird counts, states, ‘There are no sparrows left within the Altstadtring.’ He attributes the disappearance of the last colony to the construction work for the S-Bahn on Marienhof, which eliminated their former feeding grounds and nesting sites in surrounding buildings.
Habitat Loss, Not Expulsion: The Root Cause of Decline
Wittig emphasizes that sparrows were not actively driven out but rather lost their vital habitat. Years ago, the LBV identified Munich as the German city with the lowest sparrow population. The decline is not isolated to Munich; sparrow numbers are dwindling across Europe. In Bavaria, the sparrow is even on the pre-warning list of endangered species, indicating strict protection measures are in place.
Key Factors Contributing to the Sparrow’s Disappearance:
- Extreme Sealing of Surfaces: Wittig points to the extensive paving and lack of green spaces, particularly in central Munich, as a major issue.
- Lack of Nesting Sites: Sparrows are ‘building breeders,’ nesting in roofs and facade crevices. Renovations often seal these vital spaces.
- Absence of Sand Baths: Sparrows require sand baths to remove parasites, but suitable construction sites and unkempt areas are scarce.
- Over-Manicured Green Spaces: Gardens and parks are often too ‘clean,’ with lawns mowed frequently, eliminating dandelions and other seed-bearing plants that sparrows feed on.
ÖDP Proposes Solutions for a Sparrow-Friendly Munich
Tobias Ruff, head of the ÖDP, has put forward several proposals to make Munich more hospitable to sparrows. He advocates for financial subsidies for homeowners to plant native hedges and install nesting bricks. These hollow bricks, placed under roofs, provide ideal nesting spots for sparrows. The ÖDP estimates the cost of such a program to be minimal, approximately 30 euros per nesting module.
Furthermore, the ÖDP is requesting that the city designate and develop areas in districts like Moosach, Au, or Westend specifically for sparrows. These areas would feature wildflower meadows, hedges, and water sources to create thriving habitats. The party also calls for schools and daycare centers across Munich to be gradually equipped with nesting sites. Ruff stresses, ‘The sparrow urgently needs our help to recover its population. That’s why we want to take the sparrows under our wing.’
The plight of Munich’s sparrows highlights a broader environmental concern regarding urban development and its impact on biodiversity. The proposed measures by the ÖDP aim to integrate ecological considerations into urban planning, fostering a more balanced coexistence between the city’s inhabitants and its natural wildlife.
Source: https://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/muenchen/muenchen-fuehrt-traurige-liste-an-davon-gibt-es-in-keiner-deutschen-stadt-weniger-art-1092414
