BIRDWATCH IRELAND.

The Irish Garden Bird Survey is BirdWatch Ireland’s most popular citizen science survey, with around two thousand gardens taking part each year. 

WHATS INVOLVED ?

Between December and February each year, we ask members of the public to keep note of the highest number of each bird species visiting their garden every week.  We also ask for information on the size of the garden being surveyed, the kinds of food, if any, being offered to the birds, and so on.  Taking part is fun, easy and an ideal way to get to know your garden birds better; it also makes an ideal school project.

WHY DO WE COUNT GARDEN BIRDS ?

As the Irish countryside changes, gardens are becoming increasingly important havens for many species, and it is vital for us to know how their populations are faring.  The Irish Garden Bird Survey does this not only by giving us a good idea of how our garden birds themselves are doing, but also an indication of how the environment is faring in general.

There’s no need to register beforehand. You can send us your garden bird records online, by email or by post, and we publish the results of the survey each year in the winter edition of Wings – our membership magazine.