Immortalised in nursery rhyme and even by the Beatles, the Blackbird has been named Surrey’s most-loved songster by Surrey Wildlife members and supporters. Closely pipping its garden rival the Robin with 27% votes to 32%, the Blackbird also triumphed over the Nightjar, Skylark, Song Thrush, Wren…and wildcard contender the Fox.

Heard at its most strident from March to July in parks, gardens, hedgerows and woodlands across Britain, the Blackbird’s song comprises around a dozen short melodic phrases which vary from one individual to another.  Box sexes sing, primarily to attract mates and proclaim territory, but the female’s oratory tends be to quieter and less complex.  Indeed, males with the strongest and most varied voices seem to be most successful in the mating game, so the song perhaps denotes both strength and cleverness!

While still a common bird, the Blackbird is far from immune to the effects of a rapidly-changing world.  This bird loves plenty of cover and thrives in abundant cover, and requires a healthy range of fruit, berry and invertebrate food, so it’s no surprise that changes in agricultural practices, ever-neater and more boring gardens and the effects of pesticides, disease and pollution have taken a sad toll on overall numbers, with the population estimated by the BTO to have dropped by some 20 per cent between 1963 and 2023. Most recently, the mosquito-borne Usutu virus has severely diminished populations in some areas, including Greater London.

How best to help? Back our Hope for Habitats fundraiser – all part of our drive to Save Surrey’s Nature. From 2-9 December all donations will be doubled with the Big Give! Find out more.