SPARROWS are disappearing from the Worcestershire countryside at an alarming rate.

What was once one of the commonest garden birds is now unbelievably becoming a rarity even in urban areas which have been a traditional stronghold.

Estimates by the British Trust for Ornithology suggest that there are about six to seven million pairs of house sparrows across the country, compared with about 12 million in the 1970s.

It would appear that this decline has been caused by several different factors.

In rural areas the key problem would appear to be the lack of winter food caused by more efficient harvesting and storage of cereal grain, an important food source for house sparrows.

In urban areas the causes of decline seem to be more complex but include reduced food availability because of cleaner streets, the lack of available nest sites and pollution.

Steve Bloomfield, sites and species officer of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, said: "It is extremely worrying to think that what was once a widespread garden bird has undergone such a dramatic decline. I strongly urge people to take part in the BTO house sparrow survey."

Survey forms are available from the BTO on 01842 750050.