Weekly counts of Birds visiting our Garden have been kept since October 1989. At present, the results are passed on a quarterly basis to the British Trust for Ornithology Garden BirdWatch Survey. Initially the survey was a joint effort with the Irish Wildbird Conservancy, but to day it is administered solely by the BTO with sponsorship from CJ Wildbird Foods Ltd.

The garden under study covers an area of circa 0.5 acres (2400 sq. yards) or 0.2 hectares. It is located in the rural townland of Carrickrobin, Kilkerley, 6 miles from the town of Dundalk, County Louth. Before the creation of the garden the area was in tillage, however lawns and extensive shrub and flower beds have been planted in the 12 years the garden has been cultivated. Trees include Birch, Beech, Oak, Holly, Eucalyptus, Whitebeam, Rowan, Thuja, Prunus and many more. Given the relative youth of the garden and the fact that tree planting has been spread over many years, the trees are still quite young. Shrubs have been planted with a view to providing food and cover for birds. Hawthorn hedging accounts for 50% of the garden boundary, the remainder being Thuja Occidentalis (25%), original mixed ditch (10%) and Dry-stone wall (15%).

Feeding (in the form of Peanuts, Oatmeal, Mixed seed, and Fruit) takes place usually from October to March. This of course is weather dependent. A late Spring has often led to feeding through April. Water is provided all year round.