As we sit on the precipice of Spring nature is beginning to stir. Although it very much feels like us humans in the UK are still in Winter’s grip (a pretty weak and warm grip truth be told these days) with named storms every weekend and unnamed (it seems) in between. The daylight is getting longer, but interesting things to write about are still asleep. Then this morning a blackbird sang.
What: Blackbird Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758
When: 18th February 2020
Where: Outside my house, Poynton, Cheshire, UK.
Who saw it? Me (heard it, although I’ve seen a non-singing one subsequently)
How did I record it? On eBird.
Is it bigger than a blackbird? It is a blackbird.
What is it? A very familiar garden bird in the UK and the rest of Europe and much of Asia. The males give the species their English name as they are coal black with a bright yellow bill and yellow ring around its eye. The females are dark brown in colour with sometimes a slight spotty appearance. At this time of year the males begin to sing and it is the true sound of spring and summer, they stop singing in about July time along with most other song birds. A fluting melodic noise which is so iconic. The Beatles once had one singing on a song (Blackbird, obviously…).
A fact I have learned about this species: It is known as “Druid Dhubh” in Scottish Gaelic. Dhubh is pronounced as dove I’m guessing?
Is it charismatic in my opinion? Yes definitely. The easiest decision I’ve made for this section! The song, the looks, the fact they hop around in gardens, they nest in your hedge, or your shed, or wherever they fancy really. I once heard a blackbird which almost sounded like it was singing a cover of “Peaches” by the Stranglers. Definitely, 100%, charismatic.
A Species a Day 