BirdWatch Ireland’s Garden Bird Survey begins, and enters its 15th year

BirdWatch Ireland’s Garden Bird Survey has begun, and it needs your support.  From Monday 1st December, and for the 13 weeks afterwards, we are calling on members of the public to report on the peak numbers of birds occurring in their gardens.

Olivia Crowe, BirdWatch Ireland’s Garden Bird Survey Co-ordinator, said, “We are expecting over 1,000 people to participate this winter, and for the first time ever we are pleased to provide our survey participants with the opportunity to enter their records online, making contributing your sightings easier than ever.  To take part, simply visit www.birdwatchireland.ie, click ‘Online Surveys’, register your details, and then tell us a bit about your garden and the types of bird food, if any, you are providing.  Then it gets even easier – all you need to do is record the highest number of each species you see in your garden in each week.  Many of you could do that from your kitchen window.  Of course, we still welcome records sent via paper forms too.”  These forms can be downloaded in PDF format, and participants can also call 01-2819878 to request a garden bird pack to be sent out by post.

Oran O’Sullivan, garden bird expert and BirdWatch Ireland CEO, said, “The popularity of the Garden Bird Survey has grown massively in recent years. Records received from the public have indicated to us that garden birds in Ireland have been faring well since the survey began in 1994/95.  We have watched Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit and Chaffinch fight for top spot on the ladder of most widespread birds, and have also seen enormous growth in the number of gardens supporting Collared Doves, Goldfinches and Bullfinches.   The observations have alerted us to many significant trends over the years, and we hope that as many people across Ireland as possible will participate.”

For more information, visit our Garden Bird Survey page.