I'm counting on the Birds ... from News Four - the Sandymount, Irishtown & Ringsend community newspaper on IWeBS by Gay Flavin. On a bleak dismal Saturday morning, I found myself tagging along with two members of Bird Watch Ireland, Brian Gormley and John Palmer as they did their winter count on Sandymount Strand. Their counting area stretched from the old baths down to Poolbeg. Further south their colleagues covered the Booterstown area. Looking around, my first thought was that there were no birds at all. But when I looked through Brian and John's telescopes the whole strand seemed to jump into 3D with groups of birds feeding and flying in all directions. This is just a tiny portion of the count which is carried out all over Ireland - a snapshot of Poolbeg, Sandymount Strand and Booterstown on the 9th November 2002. Gay Flavin newsfourscs@eircom.net Oystercatcher Redshank Curlew Dunlin Bar-tailed Godwit Sanderling Grey Plover Turnstone Brent Geeese 4469 309 17 1034 80 44 2 13 251 Shelduck Merganser Cormorant Heron Black-headed Gull Herring Gull G. Black-backed Gull L. Black-backed Gull Common Gull 7 6 2 2 306 13 12 6 148 Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) is the principle tool for monitoring wintering waterfowl populations and their wetlands in Ireland. The survey, comprising monthly co-ordinated site counts by professionals and amateurs over the September to April season, is increasingly recognised as a flagship monitoring project. The data collected is now sufficient to enable rigorous estimation of population size. This will act as an important baseline. With the existing data over ten years, starting from 1994, the latest statistical methods can be used to determine trends in population and distribution. Thirdly, the assessment of the importance of individual wetlands gains credibility with monitoring over time. This is invaluable for site protection at a local level and statutory designation. Also, it is only through this continual monitoring that we will be in a position to identify negative trends at an early stage and to take steps to reverse them. Trend analyses indicated that numbers of the majority of species have been in decline during the course of IWeBS. There were increases in just 8 species including Mute Swan, Gadwall, Oystercatcher and Bar-tailed Godwit. Against this, there were substantial declines in 14 species, including Grey Heron, Pintail, Coot and Knot. - Results to end 2001/02 season. John Palmer at an I-WeBS count on Sandymount Strand Baywatch ! Birding is a rewarding hobby, however many birders want to get more involved. One way of doing this is to join an I-WEBS count during the Winter months. The Irish Wetlands Bird Survey (I-WEBS) is a joint scheme of BirdWatch Ireland, National Parks & Wildlife of Duchas The Heritage Service and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. It's a monthly survey of waterbirds (waders, ducks, geese etc.) around Ireland during the non-breeding season from September to March. A mix of professional and amateur observers undertake the counts on appointed dates and at designated sites around Ireland, both inland and coastal. Count data is collated and analysed in the I-WEBS Report published annually. The survey's objectives are to monitor numbers and distribution of waterbird populations and to ascertain long term trends. This in turn provides valuable information. Instead of saying "Redshanks don't seem as common around here as they were a few years ago" hard data from the survey can be provided to back up what would otherwise be mere perception. South Dublin Branch has an important role in the I-WEBS survey and counts along Sandymount Strand between West Pier, Dun Laoghaire and Poolbeg. Usually two groups of branch volunteers (and Paul Jago counting the West Pier to Seapoint) count a couple of hours before high tide, no matter what the weather. One group lead by Brian Gormley tackles the Poolbeg half of the strand, while another group led by Michael Ryan takes on the other half up to Blackrock. Count data can be interesting. For example, on 13th January, Michael Ryan's team counted almost 3,000 Knot and 364 Bar-Tailed Godwits among many other birds. Brian Gormley's team reported 778 Oystercatchers and a total of 21 species counted. As well as helping to provide survey data, getting out with the South Dublin I-WEBS count team has definitely improved my fieldcraft and ID skills. Out on the count you get repeated views of a range of birds in various plumages, light and weather conditions. Experienced birders will tell you that the trick in identifying scarcer birds is all about knowing the ordinary birds extremely well and developing good observation skills. More observers are needed for the South Dublin counts for I-WEBS. So if you have a scope and fancy helping to provide valuable conservation data (while also advancing your birding skills), why not give it a try by contacting Michael Ryan (Ph 285-9752) - Niall Rooney