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!