Tottenham Marshes, Leyton Marshes and the Middlesex Filterbeds are three of the 21 sites in London where sparrows are to be encouraged.

The attempt to restore London’s declining sparrow population is being made by the RSPB.

Working in partnership with six local authorities and organisations, a £170,000 SITA Trust funding will allow the Society to see whether long grass, wildflower meadows or arable flowers provide the food-rich habitats that  sparrows require. 

It is suggested that the new habitats will bring a host of other benefits for urban wildlife by attracting and supporting butterflies, bees, grasshoppers and other garden birds like tits and finches.  

This is good news for the River Lea. Sparrows are seen on the Thames Path near the Oxo Tower.

See pages 102 and 112.