New Habitat for Munich’s Last Old Town Sparrows at Marienhof
Munich, March 20 – Just in time for World Sparrow Day, the approximately 20 house sparrows, considered the last of their kind in Munich’s Old Town, have been provided with a new, vital habitat at Marienhof, located directly behind the city hall. This crucial initiative, spearheaded by the State Association for Bird and Nature Conservation (LBV) in Munich and the city’s construction department (Gartenbau), aims to safeguard the dwindling population of these once common birds.
The House Sparrow: An Increasingly Endangered Species
Sylvia Weber, an expert in building-nesting birds at the LBV, highlighted the often-overlooked plight of the house sparrow. “What few people know: the sparrow is no longer an everyday bird, but a cause for concern. In Bavaria, it is listed on the Red List’s preliminary warning list, and in many places, house sparrows are continuously declining – especially here in our state capital!” she stated in an LBV press release.
For years, the Marienhof, once lined with hedges, became a major construction site due to the Second S-Bahn main line project. The sparrow colony had found refuge in a small, temporary hedge erected in concrete troughs by the construction department in 2017, following an LBV initiative. However, this hedge eventually thinned out and had to be removed.
Four New, Densely Planted Troughs Provide Shelter
Now, new support has arrived from the construction department. “Four large troughs, planted with densely growing shrubs, once again offer our Marienhof sparrows cover and habitat. An important measure to keep the lovable small population stable,” enthused Sylvia Weber.
Weber, who has been advocating for Munich’s sparrows for over 20 years, consistently emphasizes the critical need for hedges and shrubs as protective and retreat options for house sparrows: “Without a hedge, no sparrow.”
Challenges Facing Munich’s Sparrow Population
According to the LBV, the primary reasons for the continuous decline of house sparrows in Munich include the loss of nesting opportunities on modern or modernized buildings and a reduction in insect food, which is particularly vital during the chick-rearing period. Additionally, hedges and shrubs are increasingly disappearing from private gardens.
While urban green spaces and parks are being developed and maintained as naturally as possible, in line with the “Biodiversity Strategy Munich” and considering usage intensity, such habitats are rare in the Old Town. This makes the optimal promotion of existing colonies, like the one at Marienhof, even more crucial.
Comprehensive Conservation Efforts
Beyond the new sparrow hedge, the LBV has implemented additional measures. “In addition to the new sparrow hedge, we were able to install nesting aids on surrounding buildings, for example, at the Archbishop’s Ordinariate, and we feed them in a controlled manner with high-quality, sparrow-appropriate food,” explained Weber.
Sylvia Weber receives support from the circle of LBV sparrow friends, which includes city councilor and chairwoman of the Munich Animal Advisory Board, Ursula Harper. With a deep affection for sparrows, Harper played a significant role in initiating this action. “Thanks to the new hedge, another small but valuable step has been taken to sustainably support our last Old Town sparrows,” she remarked happily, adding, “The support from the construction department is particularly gratifying.”
Long-Term Care and Public Awareness
The particularly durable new troughs will be maintained and watered by the construction department’s horticulture division. Clearly visible stickers will inform the public about sparrows and the sparrow hedge, explaining why people should not feed the birds. Those interested in supporting sparrow projects can contact [email protected] for more information.
Source: abendzeitung-muenchen.de
