Blackbirds in Britain are facing severe population declines due to the spread of the Usutu virus, first identified in South Africa and detected in the UK since 2020. This mosquito-borne virus has been linked to rising temperatures from climate change, facilitating its transmission. Recent surveys show that while blackbirds are thriving in northern England, they are declining markedly in places like London and the south-east. Researchers are encouraging public participation in surveys to help track and understand these changes better, particularly in how blackbirds interact with gardens.
Blackbird numbers have been noted to be decreasing in Greater London for some time. However, from 2020 they started declining more strongly, which coincided with the detection of Usutu virus, which can be fatal for these familiar birds.
This survey seeks to understand why this change is happening and if it is linked to the spread of Usutu by better understanding how blackbirds use our gardens.
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