Bird census - Wren is king of all birds

Latest Birdwatch Ireland figures suggest there are 62m birds in Ireland and, of 51 species, the wren — an dreoilín — is the most populous.

The census concludes that there are around 6m wrens in the country.

These figures suggest an abundance that may be misleading. As habitat destruction, especially ahead of the ending of milk quotas next year and Single Farm Payment obligations, continue to change the face of our countryside we should redouble our efforts to protect and provide the kind of habitat needed to sustain bird populations. Even the smallest gesture — like say planting shrubs that provide food through berries — can help protect a population under threat.