Sparrow Count: BDSF organizes birdwatching initiative

The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BDSF) is organizing a sparrow count today. The organization is calling on people to dedicate 10 minutes between 9:00 and 12:00 to observe and record the number of birds of this species they encounter in their yard, park, or other space. The information will help experts analyze the sparrow population, which serves as an indicator of the state of the urban environment.

The data is entered into an online platform on the website.

Various events will also be organized. At the Regional Center for Contemporary Arts "Toplotsentrala," games for children and various workshops are planned. Attendees will learn how to recognize different sparrow species, Elitsa Ivanova from BDSF told BTA. Some of the activities will also include making paper sparrow masks. The winners of the sparrow drawing competition are yet to be announced.

Sparrows inhabit our environment, and when there is a problem with them, we can see what is expected for humans as well, Ivanova commented. Lack of food is one of the challenges not only for sparrows but for birds as a whole, she pointed out. Urban noise and pollution are other problems noted by specialists. Therefore, preserving green spaces is also important, Ivanova emphasized.

BDSF data indicates that the house sparrow continues to be among the declining species – its population has decreased by about 50% since 2005. Five species of sparrows are found in Bulgaria. The most common and best-known in our daily lives is the house sparrow, while the tree sparrow, rock sparrow, Spanish sparrow, and Italian sparrow are found in villages and nature, the organization also stated.