The Usutu virus, a mosquito-borne disease originally from South Africa, is severely affecting blackbird populations in London, resulting in a 40% decline since 2018. The British Trust for Ornithology reports the virus has spread to East Anglia and Dorset, raising concerns about blackbird numbers in southwest England. Ecologists recommend gardening adaptations, such as covering water butts and fostering wildlife-friendly gardens, to help mitigate the virus's impact. The study intends to assess whether these population decreases are local to London or reflect broader trends across urban and rural areas.
The Usutu virus has continued to impact numbers of UK blackbirds since it was first identified here five years ago.
Alarmingly, the number of blackbirds in London has fallen by around 40 per cent since 2018, partially due to the virus.
British ecologists have suggested that UK gardeners could help across the country by making minor adjustments to their gardens.
Blackbirds are much more likely to survive if they live in more established and greener gardens with ponds.
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