BirdWatch Ireland is calling on people across Westmeath to get involved in Ireland’s most popular and longest-running citizen science survey as the countdown to the 35th Irish Garden Bird Survey begins.
The survey asks people to spend a short amount of time each week watching their garden birds and recording what they see. By gathering information from members of the public about the birds visiting gardens and other outdoor spaces such as balconies and schoolyards, BirdWatch Ireland can get a better understanding of how bird populations are faring in Westmeath, and in Ireland as a whole. Up to 2,000 households in Ireland take part annually and this year, BirdWatch Ireland is hoping to get even more people on board.
The survey, which runs through the winter months until the end of February, is now in its 35th consecutive year. While there is some consistency in terms of what species are most common, cold winter weather, autumn food supplies, and the success of the summer breeding season just gone all play a part in what birds arrive in Irish gardens at this time of year.
Last year, the robin came out on top again in Irish gardens, having been seen in 99% of gardens. In addition to robin and blackbird, blue tits and magpies both occurred in over 90% of Irish gardens, while great tit, chaffinch, house sparrow and goldfinch were in over 80% of gardens.
Many of the national trends were reflected within the county last winter, with robin the most widespread species in Westmeath gardens. Blackbird is the second most common species in most counties, though in Westmeath they fell to fourth, behind both blue tit and chaffinch.
Elsewhere in the top 10, both starling and house sparrow were higher ranked in Westmeath than they are nationally, but great tit was lower. Pied wagtail was the eighth most common species in Westmeath despite ranking 19th nationally, following a common trend across many counties with large rural areas. Jackdaw, collared dove and rook were ranked higher in Westmeath than other counties, whereas wren, dunnock, coal tit and woodpigeon all featured further down the list than they do elsewhere.
A total of 39 species were recorded in Westmeath last winter, including single gardens with herring gull, redwing and stonechat.
There are undoubtedly plenty more species out there in gardens across the county and BirdWatch Ireland is keen for more nature lovers from Westmeath to take part in the survey this year to ensure the county and its birds are well-represented at national level.
Though the winter weather was mostly mild last year, there were a few short spells of snow which drove birds into gardens nationwide in higher numbers. The first species affected by this are often the birds in the thrush family, including the resident song thrush and mistle thrush, migrant redwing from Iceland and fieldfare from Scandinavia.
Participating in the Irish Garden Bird Survey each winter is a simple and effective way of contributing to a crucial body of data that will help to guide conservation, while also increasing your bird knowledge. The survey is open to individuals, families, schools and even local community groups including Tidy Towns, Active Age and Scouts.
For more information on how to take part, visit birdwatchireland.ie
