Blackbirds under threat from new virus carried by mosquitoes

WITH so much bad news out there relating to nature and the environment, it can be tempting to shy away and focus on the positives especially at this time of year, with wild flowers and colourful insects brightening our days, migrant and resident songbirds offering a wonderful natural backing track and an abundance of fledgling birds in our gardens, parks, hedgerows and nature reserves.

- By ERIN McDAID

However, for those of us that care about nature, there is a responsibility to keep up to date about new issues and threats especially when there's an opportunity to something positive to help. Whilst I consider myself reasonably up to date and well informed, I must admit that when our friends at BBC Radio Nottingham rang to speak to the Trust about a new virus affecting blackbirds - one of our most common and popular birds - I must admit that I was completely in the dark.

Following a brief update from the journalist I had to do some urgent research to find out more about a deadly virus called Usutu. The virus was first detected in London in 2020 and over the past five years appears to have spread across the south east.

In parallel with increased records of the disease, experts have recorded a worrying decline in blackbird numbers with numbers in Greater London declining by up to 40% - leading to real concerns that the virus may be having a significant impact.

Once blackbirds become infected with virus (USUV), they often become weak and lethargic, but many are found dead without having shown visible signs of illness.