If blackbirds are regular visitors to your garden, then there’s something very important you need to do this winter, experts have explained.
It’s vital that you to put food out for them and report any issues you see, because of a new virus which is putting this native species under threat, The Express reports.
Unlike other birds like swallows and geese, blackbirds stay in the UK over winter rather than migrate, and so need to keep finding food in order to sustain themselves during the coldest time of the year.
Unfortunately, blackbirds are now under a new threat that means its even more important to take care of their needs in November, December and January – the appearance of a new virus.
The British Trust for Ornithology has issued a warning about the Usutu virus, a new mosquito-borne virus in the UK which can be fatal to the birds, and has already led to a decline in blackbird populations.
The blackbird is the most numerous breeding bird in the British Isles, with a population of around 6 million pairs. However, even a bird that has a large population can find itself decimated by a new illness.
Usutu virus was detected in wild Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) in Greater London in late summer 2020 and it was the first time USUV had been found in the UK. Owls have also shown increased levels of mortality from the virus, which can also infect mammals, including bats and humans.
The Trust said: “Blackbirds are a common bird in gardens across the UK, from rural areas to the hearts of cities. However, in recent years and particularly since 2020, birdwatchers have reported fewer birds being seen in their gardens, especially in London.
“This recent decline has been linked to the appearance of Usutu virus, a new mosquito-borne virus in the UK which is often fatal to blackbirds.
“It was first detected in the UK in London in the summer of 2020, and appears to have since started to spread further in southern Britain. It is prevalent on the near-Continent and its spread has been linked to climate change, which has benefited the mosquitoes which spread the virus.”
The Trust added that it wants to understand if the same decrease in blackbird populations recorded in London is happening in other parts of the UK too, including Scotland, and is appealing to people with gardens to take part in a survey to track blackbird numbers again when it reopens in 2025 – you can find out more here.
What to feed blackbirds
Blackbirds are soft-billed birds, meaning that they prefer soft foods like fruit, berries, sunflower hearts, and peanuts, according to the Woodland Trust. You can also offer them mealworms, flaked maize, uncooked oats, waxworms, or even dog food.
Blackbirds are too large to land on most standard bird feeders, so you should either scatter their food on the ground or use a bird table.
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