Who’s who in pecking order

RESULTS of last winter’s BirdWatch Ireland Garden Birds Survey have been published.

Almost 1,000 people kept an eye out for the birds visiting their gardens and sent their records to the survey coordinator. The methodology used is standardised, so comparisons can be made year-on-year, giving an indication of trends in numbers. There are interesting findings.

Writing in Wings magazine, Oran O’Sullivan notes last winter’s temperatures were above normal and rainfall levels were below average, at least in the southern half of the country. The three preceding winters had been very severe and birds suffered accordingly. Songbirds, however, recover quickly from disasters. They produce lots of chicks, most of which die in a normal year. However, following a cold winter, adult numbers are down, competition for resources is reduced and more youngsters survive.