Birdwatch: Britain's dry springs put beloved blackbird under threat
Few, if any, British garden birds are as well-known or well-loved as the blackbird. Yet a combination of warmer, drier springs and a mosquito-borne disease in the UK – both the result of the climate crisis – have put this member of the thrush family under threat.
Like many other common and familiar species, blackbirds evolved in woods and forests but then learned to take advantage of the plentiful food and suitable nesting sites in urban, suburban and rural gardens. They often feed on lawns, using their powerful bill to probe for earthworms and other invertebrates beneath the surface of the soil.
But the UK's warm, dry springs – 2025 was officially the sunniest since records began more than a century ago – force those creatures deeper underground and bake the soil hard, so that blackbirds cannot find the food they need for themselves and their growing chicks.
And, in a double whammy, since 2020 the Usutu virus, spread by mosquitoes from Africa via continental Europe, has been detected in blackbirds in south-east England, with London's population falling by 40% in five years.
If you want to help this charismatic bird, the British Trust for Ornithology is running a Blackbirds inGardens survey. Like so much of that organisation's fine work, this relies on ordinary people – citizen scientists – to provide the evidence and raw data scientists need to track the ups and downs of Britain's birds.
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Medical News Today
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- Medical News Today
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'Cycling/mixed-cycling was significantly associated with greater hippocampal volume. This matters because the hippocampus is central to memory formation and is among the first regions damaged in dementia. Retaining its structure may delay cognitive decline.' — Liangkai Chen, PhD 'Promoting cycling as daily transport — even mixed with other modes — could be a practical strategy to reduce dementia risk and preserve brain structure,' he continued. 'We plan to investigate dose-response relationships (e.g., cycling frequency/duration); examine how changes in active travel behavior over time impact brain health trajectories; and expand studies to diverse populations to address our cohort's limitations.' MNT spoke with Peter Gliebus, MD, director of cognitive and behavioral neurology at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, about the study. 'This study provides compelling evidence that active travel modes, particularly cycling, can significantly reduce the risk of dementia and improve brain health,' Gliebus said. 'It highlights the potential of simple, accessible lifestyle changes to make a meaningful impact on cognitive health, which is especially important for older adults.' 'It's fascinating that cycling seems to offer a cognitive edge over walking, even though both are beneficial,' Kamal Wagle, MD, geriatric specialist with Hackensack University Medical Center's Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health in New Jersey — who was not involved with this study — told MNT. 'While the exact mechanisms aren't fully understood, there are some plausible explanations supported by already existing research. Numerous studies have linked aerobic exercise to improved cognitive function and reduced dementia risk. This new study adds to that body of evidence and suggests that the type of aerobic exercise might matter.' — Kamal Wagle, MD MNT also spoke with Clifford Segil, DO, an adult neurologist in private practice in Santa Monica, CA, who is also on staff at Providence St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, about this research. 'An ounce of prevention is often worth more than a pound of treatment and we are still looking for any proven modification in middle age life which can decrease our risks of getting dementia or memory loss as we age,' Segil explained. 'Nothing has been proven to be clearly neuroprotective and we are still looking for lifestyle modifications which improve our brain health as we age.' We asked our experts for their top tips on the best way to start bicycling if they're not already: Start Small: Begin with short, flat rides to build confidence and stamina. Focus on building endurance and getting comfortable on the bike before increasing distance or intensity. 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Warm-Up and Cool-Down Properly: Before each ride, do some light stretching or warm-up exercises. After each ride, cool down with gentle stretching to improve flexibility and prevent muscle soreness. Before each ride, do some light stretching or warm-up exercises. After each ride, cool down with gentle stretching to improve flexibility and prevent muscle soreness. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after cycling, especially in warmer weather. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after cycling, especially in warmer weather. Socialize: Join a local cycling group or ride with friends to make it enjoyable and motivating. Join a local cycling group or ride with friends to make it enjoyable and motivating. Gentler Alternative to Joint Pain: Cycling is a low-impact exercise, minimizing stress on joints compared to walking, especially for older adults. 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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Swimming mole captured by Somerset photographer
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BBC News
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- BBC News
Huge ancient Roman wall paintings pieced together
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