NestWatch 2025 - Nesting strategies

Under the Irish Wildlife Act, it is illegal to cut, burn, or otherwise destroy vegetation—including hedgerows—during the bird nesting season, which runs from March 1st to August 31st. This crucial measure is in place to protect nesting birds from disturbance and the destruction of their breeding habitats.

Over 450 bird species have been recorded in Ireland. While not all of these birds breed here—many are seasonal migrants or wind-blown visitors—the country provides a rich variety of habitats for those that do. From natural features like cliffs and woodlands to man-made structures such as nest boxes and buildings, Ireland offers countless nesting opportunities.

Each bird species has specific requirements when choosing a nesting site, and what suits one may be completely unsuitable for another.

As part of NestWatch 2025, Mooney Goes Wild brings you closer than ever before to the secretive nesting lives of three fascinating Irish bird species: the Sand Martin, the Blue Tit, and the Chough.

NestWatch 2025: Sand Martins (Gabhlán Gainimh)

Live stream courtesy of BirdWatch Ireland – Harper's Island Wetlands Nature Reserve

Sand Martins nest colonially, digging horizontal tunnels into vertical sand or earth banks, often near rivers or quarries. Each tunnel leads to a small nesting chamber, where the female lays a clutch of 4–5 white eggs. The soft, sandy substrate is essential for their burrowing, making them vulnerable to habitat destruction from erosion or development.

NestWatch 2025: Blue Tits (Meantán gorm)

Live stream courtesy of Derek Mooney

A familiar and colourful resident of gardens and woodlands, the Blue Tit prefers to nest in cavities—most often in tree holes, crevices in walls, or artificial nest boxes. They line their nests with moss, feathers, and hair, and may lay large clutches of 8–12 eggs. The abundance of insects and caterpillars in spring helps them feed their growing chicks. Their adaptability to artificial nest sites makes them a frequent subject of garden wildlife cameras.

Update

The Blue Tit has laid 8 eggs.

The female Blue Tit laid her 8th egg on Tuesday, 22nd April. Blue Tits typically lay one egg a day and only start incubating once the last egg is laid, so we can guess she laid her first egg on Monday, 14th April. I can't be 100% sure since I only spotted the eggs on Sunday. She managed to keep them tucked away and hidden under a blanket of feathers. Pretty clever, right?

Once all the eggs are laid, she’ll start incubating them, which takes around 12 to 14 days. During this time, she’ll keep them nice and warm, while the male helps out by bringing her food. After they hatch, the chicks will stay in the nest for about 18 to 21 days before they’re ready to fledge—that’s when they leave the nest and start exploring the world outside. It’s such a fascinating process to watch, with the parents putting in so much effort to care for their little ones

May 6th Update

The eggs hatched between 04.00 and 09.00 on Monday May 5th - thirteen days after the last egg was laid.

NestWatch 2025: Choughs (Cág cosdearg)

Live stream courtesy of the National Parks and Wildlife Service – Glengarriff Nature Reserve

The Chough is a striking crow with a glossy black body and bright red bill and legs, typically found along Ireland's rugged western coast. They nest in remote coastal caves, cliffs, and sometimes abandoned buildings. Nests are built from twigs and lined with wool or grass. Choughs are sensitive to human disturbance and rely on open coastal pastures for feeding, making them particularly vulnerable to changes in habitat.

Main image: A lovely group of Sand Martins in their nest taken by John Fox courtesy of BirdWatch Ireland.