The apparent preference of nesting House Sparrows for paved areas, and the relatively low distances of sparrow nests from roads are likely to reflect the fact that buildings with gardens are often closely associated with roads and paving, rather than a preference for a habitat type with no obvious benefit in terms of nesting and foraging opportunities. Paved areas and housing are intercorrelated habitat types in urban areas (Shaw, 2009), and paved areas are therefore probably difficult to avoid for nesting birds. Busy roads, and the consequent air and noise pollution they create may however reduce the likelihood of successful nesting attempts close to these areas, and there is some evidence to suggest this may be the case (Summers-Smith 2003; Vincent, 2005). This may also explain why paved areas were less preferred in the most urban sites in this study, as pollution and traffic disruption may be highest in these areas.