They used to be everywhere, chirping from gutters and hedges. So where have all the sparrows gone?

The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is holding an event which investigates possible reasons for the decline in sparrow numbers and what we can all do to help them.

Steve Micklewright from Avon Wildlife Trust will talk about the ecology of these little birds at the talk, which will be held on Tuesday, March 9 at Bristol Zoo Gardens.

Steve Micklewright explains: "The cheeky, chirpy house sparrow used to be one of our most common birds, but numbers have dwindled so much they are now a species of conservation concern. We are keen to find out why numbers are dropping and where they are hanging out - but we need the public’s help. So, we’re asking everyone to take part in the online survey we’re running at www.wildsparrows.org.uk and let us know about any house sparrows they see.”

House sparrows have been identified as a species requiring special attention in the Bristol Biodiversity Action Plan. The wild sparrow survey has been organised by Avon Wildlife Trust with the support of the Avon Gorge and Down Wildlife Project, Bristol City Council and Bristol Naturalists’ Society. It is part of the Trust's People and Wildlife project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

For more details, including guidance on how to identify sparrows and join the sparrow survey, see www.wildsparrows.org.uk or contact Avon Wildlife Trust on 0117 917 7270

‘Where have all the sparrows gone?’ will be held at Bristol Zoo Gardens on Tuesday, March 9, from 7pm to 8pm (£3 per person). The venue is accessible to wheelchair users. Hearing loop in place. To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 903 0609 or email mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk

Ends

For press enquiries please contact:
Mandy Leivers, Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project, T: 0117 903 0609, Email: mleivers [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk or
Lucy Parkinson, Bristol Zoo Gardens Press Office, T: 0117 974 7309, Email: lparkinson [at] bristolzoo [dot] org [dot] uk

Notes to editors

• The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is a partnership of Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol City Council, Natural England, the Downs Committee, the University of Bristol and the Society of Merchant Venturers.
• World sparrow day on March 20, 2010
• The Project is also working with the National Trust which manages part of Leigh Woods on the North Somerset side of the Gorge.
• The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is working to secure the outstanding wildlife interest of the Bristol side of the Avon Gorge and Clifton and Durdham Downs and to raise awareness and understanding of this unique location and its importance for people and wildlife.
• Details of other Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events can be found at www.avongorge.org.uk

Bristol Zoo Gardens

• Bristol Zoo Gardens is an education and conservation charity and relies on the income from visitors to support its work.
• Throughout 2010 Bristol Zoo will be running a series of events to highlight the importance of conserving the world’s biodiversity, as part of the international Year of Biodiversity. For more information visit the Zoo website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/about/conservation/campaigns/iyob
• To find out more about the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity visit the website at www.biodiversityislife.net
• Bristol Zoo is open from 9am every day except Christmas Day.
• The Zoo is involved with more than 100 co-ordinated breeding programmes for threatened wildlife species.
• It employs 140 full and part-time staff to care for the animals and run a successful visitor attraction to support its conservation and education work.
• Bristol Zoo Gardens supports – through finance and skill sharing - over 12 projects in the UK and abroad that conserve and protect some of the world’s most endangered species.
• Bristol Zoo Gardens is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA represents more than 90 member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.