Garden Birds

Initiated 2024

In our 2024 Community Biodiversity Action Plan, we proposed supporting Swifts and Bats by creating nesting boxes. We'd also like to discover what other flying species we host in our neighbourhood.

According to Birdwatch Ireland, there are 450 bird species on our island. If your garden contains their favourite foods or if you put up bird feeders throughout the year they'll soon bring colour and entertainment while removing some pests from your garden.

To help you Merlin is a free smartphone app that bird watchers find extremely useful for identifying birds by their calls. https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

The Birdwatch Ireland survey is open to everyone.

The Irish Garden Bird Survey, conducted by BirdWatch Ireland, is a popular citizen science survey that monitors garden birds. We'd like you to join in and count the highest number of each bird species visiting your garden weekly. Also you can provide information about your garden and bird feeding practices.

The survey helps understand garden bird populations and the overall environment, and anyone can participate without registration.

BirdWatch Ireland publishes the survey results annually in their membership magazine, Wings.

Who’s in your backyard?

Use our handy checklist to identify our local wildlife. Each link provides a deep dive into the species’ habits and history. Remember: in the animal kingdom, the boys usually wear the bright colors, while the girls opt for clever camouflage!

Small Birds

Attract a variety of species by offering a selection of seeds such as niger, sunflower hearts and peanuts in hanging feeders where they will have a good vantage point away from predators.