Sometime ago, there was a flurry of activity aimed at creating a conducive urban environment for the house sparrows. Their dwindling numbers in urbanscape had brought about the concern. Then, there was a palpable lull in efforts to woo these birds to urban areas. Now, there seems to be a revival of interest in the passerine bird.
Madras Naturalists’ Society is now preparing for a census of the bird. It is going to carry out the census with the support of Chennai residents.
They will be provided with a survey form, where they could record the location as well as the date and time when they sighted a sparrow. They are expected to register the number of sparrows they have spotted and other significant factors relating to the sighting.
Residents can access this form at https://goo.gl/forms/
The four-month sparrow count will be formally launched on March 25 at Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar (from 6.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.).
The census ends on July 31.
The MNS’ honorary secretary G. Vijay Kumar, says “The answers to the questions in the form are crucial, if plans are to be devised on how to bring back the bird. Based on the information we receive, we will create an atlas for sparrows. It will also help us recreate habitats for the bird. Claims made by residents will be verified by members of the Society by visiting the specified location.”
The office of Madras Naturalists’ Society is located at No: 8, Janaki Avenue, Abhirampuram. For more details, call G. Vijay Kumar at 044 – 2499 5833 / 98400 90875
On the occasion, Janani Foundation, a centre involved in the conservation of sparrows, will conduct a drawing competition on the theme “Save The Sparrow” for children below 12 years of age.
Participants will be taught how to make a feeding container for sparrows.
For more details, call D. Chinnaraj at 99626 05496 or R. Balaji at 98842 21646. Janani Foundation is located at No: 79, South West Boag Road in T. Nagar.
