Counting Ireland's beloved garden robins

Last year, the Irish Garden Survey organised by BirdWatch Ireland, involved 1,600 households, who kept note of each bird species visiting their gardens during a 13-week period between December and February

Irish folklore is filled with many stories about the friendly, inquisitive and territorial bird.

MANY of the Christmas cards that are now being dropped into letter boxes countrywide have images of the red-breasted Robin, a revered little bird in Irish folklore.

Over two million pairs breed countrywide every year in habitats that range from trees and hedges to cracks in walls, and even tree stumps, boxes and garments hanging in garden sheds.