Tree Sparrows in Ireland
When the Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) is present in Ireland, when it nests, and which native Ireland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Ireland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–July
- Size
- 14 cm, 24 g
- Nest box
- 28 mm hole
When to expect tree sparrows in Ireland
The Tree Sparrow lives in Ireland all year round. Mild winters with little snow; Redwings and Fieldfares feed in hedges and fields.
Oceanic climate — mild, humid and consistently wet, especially in the west.
Nesting in Ireland
In Ireland the Tree Sparrow usually nests April–July. Nest site: tree hole or box. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days; chicks fledge after 15–18 days, and pairs raise 2–3 per year.
- Nest box: 28 mm hole. Put boxes up by February and clean them out between September and January.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Ireland plants for tree sparrows
Of the native plants we track for Ireland, these 4 provide food the Tree Sparrow uses:
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Feeding in the garden
Seeds; insects for chicks.
- Best foods: Seed mix, Millet.
- Feeders: Seed feeder, Open table.
- A farmland bird that responds well to boxes in loose colonies.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are tree sparrows in Ireland all year?
Yes — the Tree Sparrow is resident in Ireland all year.
When do tree sparrows nest in Ireland?
Typically April–July. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days, with 2–3 per year.
Which native plants help tree sparrows in Ireland?
Teasel, Common knapweed, Silver birch, Alder are native to Ireland and provide food or cover the Tree Sparrow uses.
What nest box does the Tree Sparrow use?
28 mm hole.
Tree Sparrows in other countries
Other garden birds in Ireland
Sources
- Tree Sparrow — RSPB bird guide
- Tree Sparrow — BTO BirdFacts
- Bird Atlas 2007–11 — BirdWatch Ireland / BTO
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.