The breeding bird survey Ireland is an annual survey that monitors bird populations and tracks changes in the distribution and abundance of breeding birds across the country. The survey is carried out by volunteer birdwatchers who walk a 1km transect route through their local countryside, recording the birds they see and hear at 50 randomly selected points along the route.
When did the breeding bird survey start in Ireland?
The breeding bird survey in Ireland began in 1998 and is coordinated by BirdWatch Ireland. It was established to provide data on population trends for common and widespread breeding bird species, filling a gap in long-term monitoring of Ireland’s bird populations. Prior to the breeding bird survey, trend data was only available for certain indicator species from other surveys.
The methods used in the Irish breeding bird survey are based on the Common Bird Census approach developed in the UK in the 1960s. This allows comparison of results between the two countries. The breeding bird survey was introduced in Ireland after a successful pilot study confirmed it could work well here.
How does the breeding bird survey work?
The breeding bird survey aims to monitor population trends in over 120 bird species across Ireland. It relies on volunteer birdwatchers to carry out surveys of breeding birds in their local area.
Participants must first select a 1km survey route through countryside habitat like farmland, woodland, scrub, wetland, or upland areas. The route is then walked twice each year during the breeding season – once in late April/early May and again in late May/early June.
When walking the route, the observer records all birds seen or heard at 50 set stopping points spaced 20 metres apart. Birds are counted within a 100m radius for 4 minutes per point. The counts from each visit are submitted to BirdWatch Ireland and combined to give a total for the route.
Key features of the breeding bird survey methodology:
- 1km route walked twice per breeding season
- Recording birds at 50 set stopping points on each visit
- Four minute count duration per stopping point
- 100m radius survey area around each point
- Surveys carried out in late April/May and late May/June
By standardising the methods, data can be compared year-on-year both within routes and at a national level. The consistent approach allows robust monitoring of bird population changes.
What bird trends have been recorded by the breeding bird survey?
The breeding bird survey has tracked both increases and declines in breeding bird numbers over the past 25 years in Ireland:
Bird species showing declines:
- House sparrow – declined by 96% between 1998-2016
- Starling – declined by 82% between 1998-2016
- Skylark – declined by 48% between 1998-2015
- Lapwing – declined by 45% between 1998-2015
- Curlew – declined by 96% between 1998-2015
- Meadow pipit – declined by 33% between 1998-2015
Bird species showing increases:
- Buzzard – increased by 167% between 1998–2015
- Little egret – increased by 334% between 1998–2015
- Coot – increased by 92% between 1998-2015
- Collared dove – increased by 22% between 1998-2015
- Goldfinch – increased by 88% between 1998-2015
These highlight some substantial population changes, both positive and negative, that have occurred among Ireland’s avifauna since the survey began in 1998.
Table showing sample breeding bird survey population trends 1998-2015:
Species | % change 1998-2015 |
---|---|
House sparrow | -96% |
Starling | -82% |
Lapwing | -45% |
Buzzard | +167% |
Collared dove | +22% |
Goldfinch | +88% |
What are the aims of the breeding bird survey?
The main aims of the breeding bird survey in Ireland are:
- To monitor annual and long-term population trends for common and widespread breeding bird species
- To determine changes in the distribution and range of breeding birds across Ireland
- To identify species that may be declining or increasing significantly
- To provide data to inform conservation action for threatened birds
- To involve volunteer birdwatchers in nationwide monitoring
- To complement other bird monitoring schemes such as the Countryside Bird Survey and the Rare Breeding Birds Scheme
The data gathered by volunteer surveyors makes an important contribution to research and conservation. Output from the breeding bird survey is used to produce indicators of biodiversity health and to report on progress towards national and European biodiversity targets.
How are breeding bird survey results used?
The results from the annual breeding bird survey provide valuable information on bird populations that are used in the following ways:
- Informing conservation policy and action – identifying threatened species allows appropriate conservation responses to be developed via action plans or agri-environment measures for example.
- Assessing conservation successes – monitoring recovering species like raptors or reintroduced species confirms effectiveness of conservation work.
- Contributing to bird atlases – breeding distribution data feeds into periodic bird atlases like the New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland.
- Evaluating environmental impacts – provides baseline data to examine potential effects from agriculture, afforestation, climate change etc.
- Ecological research – ornithologists utilize the long-term dataset for studies into bird populations and environmental influences.
The breeding bird indices and population trends derived from the survey provide key biodiversity indicators. At a European level, these form part of State of the European Birds reports from BirdLife International for example.
What can long-term breeding bird survey data show?
Sustained long-term monitoring through the breeding bird survey builds up powerful datasets that can reveal various ecological patterns and trends over time. Analyzing survey results over many years can highlight:
- Population changes – the magnitude and direction of changes in bird numbers, increases or declines.
- Range shifts – changes in distribution as species colonize new areas or disappear from former ranges.
- Habitat associations – how bird community composition varies between habitats.
- Drivers of change – correlations between population trends and climate, habitat, pollution etc.
- Effectiveness of interventions – recovery of species in response to conservation action for example.
With over 20 years of annual data collected, Ireland’s breeding bird survey provides a significant resource to better understand bird populations. Continued monitoring will further strengthen this research value into the future.
How has the breeding bird survey developed over time?
There have been a few changes to the breeding bird survey in Ireland over its history since 1998:
- The number of survey routes increased from 128 in 1998 to 548 by 2000.
- Survey squares were expanded to include more routes in Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim and Cavan from 2003.
- The survey period was extended to run from late April to late June from 2015.
- The Bird Atlas 2007-11 project provided additional survey data from over 40,000 points.
However, the core field methodology has remained unchanged to ensure continuity and comparability of data over time. The consistent long-term approach provides greater statistical power to detect genuine population trends.
Information technology developments have allowed easier digital transfer of bird data and automation of analysis. Web tools like the Trends and Indices for Monitoring data portal provide interactive access to explore breeding bird survey trends.
What are the challenges involved in the breeding bird survey?
Operating an extensive nationwide annual survey across the Republic of Ireland poses a variety of logistical challenges:
- Recruiting and retaining skilled volunteer surveyors – sufficient coverage depends on participation of knowledgeable birdwatchers.
- Access issues – gaining permission for routes across private farmland or reaching remote terrain.
- Habitat change – routes may be altered by forestry, urbanisation or agricultural reclamation.
- Ensuring data quality – fieldworker training, validation of unusual records etc.
- Data analysis – producing robust population trends from survey data requires significant statistical expertise.
- Funding continuity – long-term monitoring requires ongoing financial support.
BirdWatch Ireland have successfully coordinated the breeding bird survey since 1998 by addressing each of these challenges through the dedication of staff, volunteers and supporters.
How can I take part in the breeding bird survey?
The breeding bird survey depends on the efforts of volunteer birdwatchers across Ireland. Participants do not need to be expert birders but should be able to identify common species by sight and sound.
Taking part involves:
- Selecting a 1km route through suitable countryside habitat
- Contacting landowners to gain access permission for the route
- Carrying out two survey visits between April and June
- Submitting results online or by post to BirdWatch Ireland
- Surveying the same route annually
New volunteers are always welcome as more routes are needed to fill gaps in coverage across Ireland. BirdWatch Ireland provides full training and guidance to new participants.
By volunteering for the breeding bird survey, people can contribute to a long-running citizen science project that monitors the health of bird populations. Taking part is suitable for all ability levels and a great way to improve bird identification skills.
Conclusion
The breeding bird survey in Ireland provides a vital source of data on the changing fortunes of bird species breeding in the country. Since 1998, the standardized annual monitoring carried out by volunteers has highlighted dramatic population declines as well as increases.
The survey continues to track the ups and downs of Ireland’s birds, informing efforts to halt declines and target conservation action where needed. With over 20 years of data collected, the breeding bird survey allows robust analysis of avian trends and assessment of environmental impacts.
Continued long-term monitoring is key to guide policymakers and researchers in safeguarding populations. Public participation will ensure the future success of the breeding bird survey as an integral scheme revealing the state of Ireland’s birds.