Surveys

There are a number of Surveys you could become involved in. They are a great way to making your birding count. Below are details of some surveys, click on the relevant logo to find out more.

Spring Alive

Especially good for younger birds. Records details of the first heard or seen of three birds that arrive in the Spring – Swallow, Cuckoo and Swift. The survey collects information on these three species, along with Stork and Bee-Eater, from across Europe and creates an overview of when the birds arrive across the continent.

Garden Bird Survey

great survey that you can do without having to leave the house. Between December and February each year you keep note of the highest number of each bird species visiting their garden every week.  Information is also collected on the size of the garden being surveyed, the kinds of food, if any, being offered to the birds, and so on.  Taking part is fun, easy and an ideal way to get to know your garden birds better; it also makes an ideal school project.

Countryside Bird Survey

For the more experienced birder. During the breeding season, counters record all birds seen and heard during two early morning walks in pre-assigned 1km grid squares. As many birds are detected first by sound (and often not seen) it is helpful to be able to identify birds by song and call as well as sight. Survey squares occur in a broad range of habitats across every county, from upland blanket bog to lowland farmland and woodland.

Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS)

Again for more experienced birds, recording waterbirds at wetland sites across the country during the winter ‘non-breeding’ season (September to March). The type of wetlands surveyed range from wet grasslands to large complex estuaries that hold thousands of birds, and everything in between.

Bird Track

BirdTrack is a free and convenient way of storing your bird records online. BirdTrack lets you keep up to date with what others are seeing, view the latest trends, and contribute your data to BTO science.