A REFUGE for London’s endangered sparrow being created in the East End. A Cockney Sparrow’ project is planned in Whitechapel to get families involved and plant grasses and flowers to attract protein-rich aphids, caterpillars and weevils that baby sparrows feed on

A REFUGE for London’s endangered cockney’ sparrow is soon to be created in the East End.

A Cockney Sparrow’ project is being set up on Whitechapel’s John Fisher housing estate to get families involved and plant grasses and flowers to attract protein-rich aphids, caterpillars and weevils that baby sparrows love to feed on.

The London Wildlife Trust is planning workshops with the Peabody Trust housing association on how to make rooting boxes to attract a range of species including bats, swifts and house martins as well as sparrows back to East London.

The trust is also looking for volunteers to be trained to record the birds and other wildlife they spot on the estate.

The Cockney Sparrow’ project kicks off with a fun day for residents on Sunday from 12 noon to 4pm with an organic barbecue, bush crafts sessions, free health checks, wildlife arts and a chance to see some bats. The once-common Sparrow declined in London by two-thirds in the 1990s.