Exploring Nature's Splendor: Irish Garden Bird Survey
Between December and February each year, BirdWatch Ireland calls upon members of the public to take part in the Irish Garden Bird Survey, keeping note of the highest number of each bird species visiting their garden every week.
It was our third year participating in BirdWatch Ireland’s Irish Garden Bird Survey at the Heritage Council’s hq. The citizen science programme is BirdWatch Ireland’s most popular survey, based on the weekly recording of bird species in gardens (not including those flying overhead), in a range of predesignated weeks over the winter months when food is at its shortest. The count does not seek to count all birds using the garden, but rather the highest number witnessed, so if 2 robins are seen for four days but 3 on another, 3 is the figure submitted for that week.
By counting nationally, across a range of habitats both urban and rural, a picture emerges of the general population of our most common garden bird species.
In our Áras gardens (we count both front & back gardens) we have a lovely mix of lawns, shrubbery, and mature trees, as well as buildings, structures, and now a small pond. During the survey we hope to attract a wide variety of species, luring them with the promise of high-energy food. We have two main feeders, baited with peanuts, but at times niger seed or sunflower hearts – different food types will attract different species, as a general rule.
We record our numbers on our Pavilion glass panels (in our canteen area), this makes for a visual and easy-to-use system of recording for staff and visitors.
In 2023/24 we recorded 27 species of bird, with not surprisingly House sparrow topping the list in terms of highest counts (10 being the highest), at the other end, for the week of the 8th of January, we had our only song thrush! Some species of note are, Blackcap, typically a spring/summer breeding species, but now noted as a winter resident species, thought to reflect climate change and warmer winters. Another notable species is our now nesting Common Raven, up to a decade ago, Ravens were considered to be present only locally and usually in the uplands, they are amongst our first breeders, timed traditionally to take advantage of the lambing season when after-birth and occasional dead lambs are available to feed hungry chicks.
As we reflect on these findings, we're reminded of the delicate balance of nature and the importance of preserving habitats like ours. So here's to another successful year of birdwatching, conservation, and community collaboration!
The results of the survey appear in BirdWatch Ireland's Wings magazine.
Read more about the Irish Garden Bird Survey on The BirdWatch Ireland website.
View our Results
