Peterborough Bird Club annual report House Sparrow Passer domesticus | A | Common resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common resident breeder. A declining species nationally, which needs to be properly recorded to keep track of numbers locally. There seem to be strong populations at Farcet Fen and Deeping St James: 80 at Farcet Fen on 18 Jun (SPD), where 36 pairs bred in three colonies, 76 at Deeping St James on 27 Nov (WB), 70-80 at Orton Waterville (PSn) and 50 at Elton on 17 Aug (BHS). Elsewhere, this species was recorded at just 25 sites, so thought to go largely unrecorded.
2002	Common resident breeder. Another supposedly widespread but declining species for which we receive very few records; during 2002 reported from only 32 localities. Notable flocks included 50 at Flag Fen on 10 Sep (BHS) and 72 at Deeping St James on 2 Oct (WB).
2001	Common resident breeder. Another under-recorded species, but with concerns about the decline in the national population, perhaps observers should be more forthcoming with records so we can monitor the local situation more accurately. Counts of more than 10 as follows: Helpston 19 on 8 Jan (SPD); Eldernell 40 on 11 Jan; 50 0n 9 Dec (GRH); Newborough 45+ on 2 Feb (DB); Stilton 30 on a garden bird table on 2 Aug (JD); Newborough: 50 on 10 Aug (DB); Deeping St James 53 in a garden on 13 Dec (WB). 30-40 regularly throughout the year in one Orton Longueville garden (SPD). Four pairs bred at Dogsthorpe (DW).
2000	Common, but declining, resident. Despite the well-publicised decline of this species, reported records are consider to under-represent this once common resident in the PBC area. Notable counts included 27 dust-bathing at Folksworth on 9 Mar, 25+ at Stanground on 9 Aug, 66 in two flocks at Newborough on 1 Sep and 25 at Speechley Drove on 14 Sep.
1999	Common resident. No records received. Given the dramatic decline in numbers of this species, future records would be welcomed.
1998	Common resident. No significant records received. Several people commented that they were not seeing as many in their gardens as they used to, which would mirror national trends. Nene Washes: A scarce visitor to the reserve, with occasional singles coming out of Whittlesey to feed during the summer.
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