The Irish Garden Bird Survey 2017/18 is now finished!

Despite what last weeks weather might have you believe, winter is coming to an end! Birds are starting to sing and pair up, and some are even nest-building (though they had other priorities last week...). Perhaps the biggest indicator that the winter is nearly over is that the Irish Garden Bird Survey is now finished for another year!

Don't forget to send your garden bird counts to us as soon as possible!!

Singing Robin - usually the most common bird in Irish gardens. Photo by B. Burke

This years Irish Garden Bird Survey started on the 4th of December, running for 13 weeks and finishing up yesterday. Hundreds of you have taken part, and many of you were treated to some interesting additions to your species list as a result of the snow last week - many people reported Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Snipe, Redwing, Fieldfares and even Lapwing as newcomers to their garden on friday and saturday. It's been great to hear about these unusual visitors, and we very much look forward to analysing all of the data in due course to really paint a picture as to how this winter has been compared to the years before.

With that in mind - please send in your garden data as soon as possible!! Regular participants will know that there are three ways to send in your data:

1) Through our online system at the link here:

 http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/?tabid=91

2) Post in your form to us at: 

'Irish Garden Bird Survey, 

Unit 20, Block D, 

Bullford Business Campus, 

Kilcoole, Greystones, Co. Wicklow '

3) Or scan your recording sheets, including the one with your address etc, and email it to us at: 

gardenbirds@birdwatchireland.ie

If you've lost your recording sheet, or don't want to damage your copy of Wings, you can download a copy of the form here: *Garden Bird Survey Form 2017/18*

Blue Tit - One of the most numerous species in Irish Gardens. Photo by B. Burke

The more eagle-eyed among you will notice the donation slip at the bottom of your form. We receive no funding to run the Irish Garden Bird Survey, to prepare the forms and the articles, to enter the data and to analyse the results, but we know it's a survey that is hugely important to the Irish public in general. With that in mind, please consider enclosing a donation with your garden bird survey form - however small. Your donation will help ensure we can continue to run the Irish Garden Bird Survey into the future. You can also make a donation over the phone - phone: 353 (0)1 2819878

We need your donations to help us to keep the Irish Garden Bird Survey going each year.

Male Blackbird - common in gardens during winter, and now thinking about pairing up for the breeding season! Photo by B. Burke

It was really heartwarming to hear of the genuine concern everyone had for birds and wildlife in the midst of Storm Emma and 'the Beast from the East' last week, and the lengths people went to to keep their garden birds fed. Please do remember that BirdWatch Ireland are fighting on behalf of Irish birds and wildlife throughout the year, and we can only do that with the support of our members.

If you're not a member already, please do consider joining us and adding your voice to support Irish birds and biodiversity. As part of your membership you'll receive our 'Wings' magazine, garden bird posters and leaflets, and loads more goodies.

Mothers Day is coming up, and a BirdWatch Ireland membership would make an ideal gift that keeps giving throughout the year!

BirdWatch Ireland members receive four copies of our 'Wings' magazine throughout the year, as well as loads of other goodies when you join! 

Irish Garden Birds - Gregarious Greenfinches

We hope you and your garden birds and making it through this very cold spell of weather. If you have any questions, we have prepared some information on looking after your garden birds during cold weather on our website at this link. And if you have any worries, feel free to ask us questions via our facebook page.

Remember that our birds and wildlife face many challenges all year round, and by becoming a member of BirdWatch Ireland you can help us stick up for them and ensure their protection and conservation for future generations.

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Species Profile: Greenfinch

As Gaeilge: Glasán darach

Irish Garden Bird Survey Ranking 2016/2017: 15th

Conservation Status: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population is regarded as Secure by BirdLife International. Has been impacted by outbreaks of Trichomoniasis recently, with declines in northern and western Europe in the last 12 years.

Greenfinch. Photo by D. Dillon

Did You Know?

1. Since 2005, Greenfinches in Ireland and the UK have been increasingly impacted by the Trichomonas  parasite. It causes disease in the back of the throat and mouth, which prevents the bird from feeding. Affected birds often appear fluffed up and lethargic, and the disease seems to be almost always fatal. See here for more info.
2. If you see a Greenfinch, or other species, that looks sick you should take in your feeders for a week or so, and clean them thoroughly with a mild bleach solution. See here for more info.
3. The increasing popularity of garden feeding has been credited with an expansion in their range further north in Scandinavia.
4. Back in Victorian times they were widely trapped and kept in captivity, along with other finch species.
5. Other local names for Greenfinch inlcude Green Linnet and Green Grosbeak.
6. Historically they would have been a bird of woodland and forest edges, but in recent decades they've expanded to take advantage of food and habitat in hedgerows, towns and gardens.

How long do they live?

Greenfinches generally live for about two years. The oldest recorded Greenfinch in Ireland or the UK was 12 years and 9 months old!

What do they feed on?

Their big bill is an indicator that Greenfinches like large seeds. Where available they enjoy Rosehips, Yew and Hawthown, as well as Bramble. So if you're doing up your garden this spring, keep these species in mind! They will also enjoy sunflower seeds, and to a lesser extent peanuts, when provided in garden feeders.

Greenfinch. Photo by F. Mullan

Irish Garden Bird Survey Trends:

Greenfinch numbers tend to fluctuate quite a lot in recent years, and a lot of this is likely down to the spread of Trichomoniasis. As numbers increase in one year, the disease spreads more easily, and more birds get infected and die as a result. Their highest ranking was 5th place in 1999/2000, and they were in 6th place in several years up to 2005/06, but it was around then that Trichomoniasis reared its ugly head and numbers have suffered ever since.

Average number of Greenfinch per garden during the Irish Garden Bird Survey.

Movements and Migration:

As you can see from the map below, there is some movement of Greenfinch each year. Birds from Norway escape the cold and move down into the UK and Ireland, whilst some Irish and UK birds will head for France and the continent. Most of the Greenfinch that breed here don't move very far though!

Locations where Greenfinches from Ireland and the UK were caught elsewhere in Europe. See https://blx1.bto.org/ring/countyrec/resultsall/rec16490all.htm

How can I help Greenfinches?

Greenfinches regularly visit gardens during the winter, and will enjoy sunflower seeds, whether in hanging feeders or scattered on the ground. They will also eat from peanut feeders. Remember to keep an eye out for sick Greenfinches (or other finch species) and it's good practice to give your feeders a good cleaning every week or two to minimise the risk of disease transmission.

See here for full details on how best to clean your birdfeeders.

Greenfinches feeding. Photo by D. Owens