Note that you can enter your data week-by-week if that's how you'd like to do it. Simply click 'submit' on the final page, and you'll get an email with a link to click to come back in future weeks and enter more counts. If you don't get that email, contact gardenbirds@birdwatchireland.ie 

 

If you're having problems with the online survey form, you can download a PDF to print here and email it to gardenbirds@birdwatchireland.ie when the survey finishes, or hold off and enter your counts all at once when the survey ends.

 

**Please keep a paper copy of your counts in case of any IT problems**

Thanks for taking part! 

Tips on counting your garden birds

 

• Each week note the highest number of each bird species that you see at any one time when looking at your garden. And then start over again the following week!

 

• So, if you see two Blue Tits in the morning and three in the evening, then your number ‘to beat’ for the rest of the week is three. Never sum your counts between days or from different times of the day.

 

• Count birds that come into your garden, even if they don't feed on the food you put out for them. Don’t count birds that are in neighbouring fields or flying overhead though (except birds of prey seen hunting).

 

• If you’re not sure of a new species, look it up in a bird book or get in touch with us to help identify it!

 

• The survey runs for 13 weeks in total - try and do as many weeks as you can, but it's ok if you miss a few.

 

• See our website here for more details about taking part. If you still have a question email Brian at gardenbirds@birdwatchireland.ie
   

Irish Garden Bird Survey Recording Form 

Click here to visit our website for more information about Ireland's garden birds.

 

And if you're having trouble identifying a bird in your garden, email: gardenbirds@birdwatchireland.ie

Please submit completed form not later than 31st of March 2025

If you have any questions about completing this form you can reach out  to gardenbirds@birdwatchireland.ie 

 

 

Have you seen a sick bird?

We also want to gather data on any sick birds you might see in your garden. We are particularly focusing on finch species that are increasingly suffering from trichomoniasis (details here). 

Affected birds appear slow and lethargic and have difficulty swallowing, often with bits of food stuck to their bill. If you see a sick bird with these symptoms in your garden, please let us know the species, date(s) and how many via the form below.

It's important to clean your feeders regularly, whether you see sick birds or not! See our website here for more information about sick birds in your garden and what you can do to minimise the risk.