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Sparrow Clubs
Description
NameSparrow Clubs
DescriptionAs few as 100 house sparrows (Passer domesticus) were liberated in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1866 and 1871.
Breeding success was high – probably due to abundant food, lack of competition, a benign climate and few predators (stoats, cats and other introduced pests had not yet become widespread).
From the 1880s, the large population of sparrows were becoming a nuisance to farmers and orchardists, raiding fields and fruit trees. Until predators grew in number, they were unable to be contolled, although poisons such as phosphorous and strychnine were used.
Sparrow Clubs were set up across the country, modelled on those set up in Britain from the 1850s, setting out poisoned grain. They levied a subscription to members which was used to pay participating children and adults for every dozen of sparrow eggs and/or heads received.
Sparrow Clubs were established across Selwyn, in locations including Prebbleton and Brookside, while gun clubs, such as the one in Ellesmere, included a 'Sparrow Sweep' as part of their regular fixtures.Start Date1880s
DescriptionAs few as 100 house sparrows (Passer domesticus) were liberated in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1866 and 1871.Breeding success was high – probably due to abundant food, lack of competition, a benign climate and few predators (stoats, cats and other introduced pests had not yet become widespread).
From the 1880s, the large population of sparrows were becoming a nuisance to farmers and orchardists, raiding fields and fruit trees. Until predators grew in number, they were unable to be contolled, although poisons such as phosphorous and strychnine were used.
Sparrow Clubs were set up across the country, modelled on those set up in Britain from the 1850s, setting out poisoned grain. They levied a subscription to members which was used to pay participating children and adults for every dozen of sparrow eggs and/or heads received.
Sparrow Clubs were established across Selwyn, in locations including Prebbleton and Brookside, while gun clubs, such as the one in Ellesmere, included a 'Sparrow Sweep' as part of their regular fixtures.
Start Date1880sSparrow Clubs. Selwyn Stories, accessed 19/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5562