National Lottery Grant Boosts Efforts to Save Yorkshire Dales' Red List House Birds

Some of the UK's most familiar birds—house sparrows, house martins, starlings, and swifts—are in trouble. Once a common sight in towns and villages, these birds are now on the UK Red List for birds at risk, meaning their numbers have fallen dramatically. But there’s good news for these struggling species in the Yorkshire Dales, thanks to a major new conservation effort.

A £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been awarded to the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) to help protect and restore house bird populations in the region. The project, called "Building Homes for Dales House Birds", will focus on creating nesting sites and improving food sources, ensuring these birds have a place to thrive for generations to come.

Why are these birds disappearing?

For centuries, house birds have made their homes in nooks and crannies of buildings, particularly older ones with gaps in the brickwork or under eaves. But as more buildings are insulated and retrofitted to improve energy efficiency, many of these natural nesting spots are disappearing. Without somewhere safe to nest, these birds struggle to breed, and their numbers have plummeted.

At the same time, the insects they rely on for food are also in decline due to habitat loss and modern farming practices. With fewer places to live and less food to eat, it's no surprise that these once-common birds are now struggling to survive.

A community effort to protect wildlife

The new three-year project will be a team effort, bringing together local communities, conservation groups, and volunteers to take action. YDMT is partnering with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the RSPB to provide:

• Artificial nesting sites, such as bird boxes, to replace lost nesting spaces
• Improved feeding habitats, by encouraging gardens and green spaces that support insects
• Community events and training, to educate and involve people in bird conservation
• Citizen science projects, to monitor bird populations and help inform future conservation efforts

Voices from the project

Michael Devlin, CEO of YDMT, expressed excitement about the grant:

"We’re thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to protect these four iconic species, ensuring they remain a key part of the Yorkshire Dales landscape. We’re really looking forward to working with our communities, the RSPB, and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to help our wildlife."

Meanwhile, Mark Corner from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority highlighted the importance of the project:

"We’re fortunate that many villages and towns in the National Park still have good populations of house sparrows, starlings, house martins, and swifts. We want to keep it that way. These birds are an essential part of the National Park, just like curlews and lapwings, and they need our help."

Hilary McGuire from the RSPB echoed the sentiment, emphasising that simple changes in how we manage our buildings and gardens can make a huge difference:

"These birds share our towns, homes, and gardens. By providing nesting sites and managing our green spaces to attract insects, we can help them recover. With support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’re looking forward to getting more people involved in creating spaces where local wildlife can thrive."

A project for people and nature

This isn't just about helping birds—it’s about bringing people closer to nature. As part of the project, YDMT will be working with local residents in the Yorkshire Dales and reaching out to underrepresented groups in nearby towns and cities. Through volunteering, training sessions, and educational events, the goal is to create a lasting impact—not just for the birds, but for the people who live alongside them.

Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, sums it up:

"Protecting and conserving the amazing natural heritage and wildlife in the North of England is hugely important. Thanks to National Lottery players, we are able to support the ‘Building Homes for Dales House Birds’ project, which will connect people to these four species and play a vital role in preserving their populations across the Dales."

How you can help

Even if you don’t live in the Yorkshire Dales, there are simple things you can do to support house birds in your area:

• Put up bird boxes on your home or garden shed to provide safe nesting sites
• Leave gaps in fences so birds and other wildlife can move freely
• Plant wildflowers or keep a small pond to encourage insects for birds to feed on
• Join a citizen science project, like the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, to track bird populations
• Spread the word! The more people who know about the struggles these birds face, the more can be done to help them

With the right support, house sparrows, house martins, starlings, and swifts can make a comeback—and thanks to this new project, the Yorkshire Dales could remain one of the best places in the UK to see them for years to come.