Latest news with #Blackbirds
New York Post
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Blue Jays vs. Orioles prediction: MLB picks, best bets for Wednesday
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. This pick is for the birds. The high-flying Bluebirds soar into Baltimore to take on broken-winged Blackbirds. How good has Toronto been? José Berríos has given up eight runs and 18 hits in his past 14 ²/₃ innings. And yet, Berríos has won his past two starts. It was earlier this season (March, then April to be exact) that Berríos let the Orioles score 10 runs in 10 innings. How bad has Baltimore been? If AL was a Derby, they would have two horses beat. The Chicago Blight Sox and the Homeless Athletics. José Berríos Getty Images The O's Dean Kremer tossed back-to-back gems (one run, 14 frames) but the Rockies scored five on Krispy Kremer in his last start. This pick is for the birds. Learn all you need to know about MLB Betting Play $50 on the Orioles. Fat numbers. The line on Brandon Pfaadt's night? Seven runs, 11 hits, three homers over 4 ²/₃ innings. Snakes were run over in the Motor City. Final 12-2. This fathead is down -403 cobrakais.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to put rice on bird tables this summer for this crucial reason
The next few months are vital for young birds as they leave the nest and take their first flights, but gardeners can help by providing food - and it needn't cost a fortune Gardeners across the UK are being encouraged to sprinkle cooked rice on their bird tables this summer to support struggling birds during the crucial fledgling season. The upcoming months are a pivotal period for British birds, as many species witness their offspring leaving the nest and venturing into the world as fledglings. With numerous bird species facing threats from habitat loss, a decline in food sources like insects, climate change, and pollution, garden enthusiasts are urged to lend a hand by providing sustenance, which will also benefit the young birds. Thankfully, aiding our feathered friends doesn't require splashing out on expensive bird seeds from garden centres. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has suggested that items such as pastry, cooked rice (emphasising it must be cooked, never raw), and breadcrumbs can be offered to birds occasionally, in addition to fruits like apples, pears, and various seeds and nuts. The RSPB recommended: "When buying bird food, try to get a good mix of seed, peanuts, suet and mealworms." They also added that "fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and Blackbirds." Moreover, the RSPB advised that "household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally." It's crucial to cook the rice first, as uncooked rice can cause digestive issues in birds, which is one of the reasons throwing rice at weddings fell out of popularity. So always use cooked rice, never raw. Gardeners also need to clean your bird table regularly and clean up any uneaten food, the Express reported. Whatever you leave out, be sure to clear away any uneaten food at the end of the day, and clean any bird table regularly. This is because the RSPB recently pulled flat bird tables from sale while it investigates the possible spread of disease it says could be caused by flat tables, due to food being left out exposed to the elements. It recommends cleaning bird tables, as well as nesting boxes, regularly and removing any uneaten food. By simply doing this simple task, gardeners will ensure birds receive enough nutrients to survive in the upcoming months and colder seasons as they leave their nests. It doesn't cost a fortune, nor does it require any extra time or effort on top of other gardening tasks - just make sure that it remains clean at all times.
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Householders urged to sprinkle rice on bird tables this summer
There is a vitally important reason gardeners should follow the expert advice. Householders are being advised to sprinkle rice on their bird tables this summer to help out during a very important season. Over the next few months, several young birds across Britain will be learning to fly the nest to make their own way into the world during the fledging stage. Fledging is the stage in a flying animal's life between hatching or birth and becoming capable of flight. During this time of the year, bird species are at risk of dying due to a reduction in food. This happens due to climate change and pollution as well as a drop in insect numbers. To help with the difficult period, gardeners are being urged to do what they can to help birds out by providing food for them, which in turn will help young birds too, according to the Express. Thankfully, you don't need to buy posh bird seeds from garden centres or pay through the nose to help wildlife out. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says that pastry, cooked rice (it must be cooked, never raw!) and breadcrumbs can all be used to feed birds occasionally, alongside other items like apples, pears, and seeds and nuts. The RSPB says: "When buying bird food, try to get a good mix of seed, peanuts, suet and mealworms. "Fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and Blackbirds. "Household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Of course. it's important to cook the rice first, as uncooked rice can cause digestive issues in birds, which is one of the reasons throwing rice at weddings fell out of popularity. So always use cooked rice, never raw. Whatever you leave out, be sure to clear away any uneaten food at the end of the day, and clean any bird table regularly. This is because the RSPB recently pulled flat bird tables from sale while it investigates the possible spread of disease it says could be caused by flat tables, due to food being left out exposed to the elements. It recommends cleaning bird tables, as well as nesting boxes, regularly and removing any uneaten food. Experts warn that certain feeder designs, especially flat surfaces, could be harmful to birds due to the disease Tricomonosis, which particularly affects Greenfinches and Chaffinches. Bird specialist Lucy Taylor said: "This is because the disease Tricomonosis – which especially affects Greenfinches and Chaffinches – can more easily be transmitted when an infected bird drops food onto the flat surface, which another bird then picks up."
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Anyone with blackbirds in their garden asked to take action
The Usutu virus has spread through blackbirds in southern England, with the British Trust for Ornithology asking people to sign up to a survey in a bid to save the bird population The lethal Usutu virus—a mosquito-spread disease that's been targeting Blackbirds in southern England—has sparked serious concerns among wildlife experts. First identified on UK soil in 2020, the virus has spread to as far west as Dorset and has reached Cambridgeshire up north. Hailing from Southern Africa, Usutu arrived in Europe three decades ago and has since caused several significant mortality episodes amongst Blackbird populations, according to Bird Guides. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is now urging people with gardens hosting blackbirds to participate in a special survey. The survey aims to assess the full impact of the crisis and offer much-needed aid. While the risk to humans remains minimal – with no cases documented in Britain – the consequences for our feathered friends are drastic. Reports suggest that the Blackbird numbers in Greater London have nosedived by up to 40% after Usutu took hold following the 2020 heatwave. Dr Arran Folly of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has sounded the alarm about Usutu's swift advance and enduring occurrence, hinting it could be a harbinger of other mosquito-borne diseases making their way to the UK. "It gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK," he warned, reports Devon Live. Attributed to climate change, expansions in mosquito populations are being driven by rising temperatures, longer summers, and more intense rainfall – creating perfect breeding grounds for the insects and their pathogens to thrive in new areas. In collaboration with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), APHA researchers are set to investigate Usutu's impact on Britain's birds. At the same time, the BTO is calling on the public to help monitor the situation by reporting any sightings of Blackbirds. "Blackbirds are currently nesting and are a common sight in gardens and parks. With public help, we can better track population trends and the virus's impact," said a spokesperson from the BTO. Despite Blackbird numbers holding steady in rural and northern regions, the unpredictable nature of the virus calls for continuous monitoring. The combined efforts of APHA and BTO are crucial for gathering essential data to shape conservation tactics and prepare for future emerging diseases. The BTO commented: "We are trying to better understand the extent and spread of Usutu virus and what the potential impacts of the virus might be on Blackbirds. In particular, as Blackbird numbers were already decreasing in London, a large urban area, we want to know if anything similar is happening in other urban areas, or whether these changes are specific to the capital, and how this compares to smaller urban and more rural areas." How will Blackbirds in Gardens survey help? The BTO is conducting a survey to delve into the potential for disease transmission among Blackbirds in gardens, focusing on their congregation patterns. The organisation explained that this research will shed light on how Blackbird populations utilise various garden types and their breeding success across different urbanisation levels. The BTO highlighted the significance of the study in light of emerging diseases, stating: "Although largely harmless to humans, this is the first time in modern history that a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis (a disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans) has emerged in wild animal hosts in the UK but, with changing climates, more may occur in the future." They further elaborated on the broader context of the research, noting: "Using Usutu virus and Blackbirds as a case study, this survey is part of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, a wider partnership project funded by the UKRI and Defra to understand the emergence and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the UK more generally which are expected to increase with climate change." Additionally, the BTO outlined the objectives of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, including: "The project will improve understanding of how these viruses emerge in new environments, enhance surveillance of diseases in wild birds in the UK and develop an early warning system for disease outbreaks." The survey is set to run until September 2025. How to sign up to the survey You can sign up for Blackbirds in Gardens online. You will need a My BTO account to sign up. If you don't already have one, you can create a free account.
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Anyone who has blackbirds in gardens urged to take 'immediate' action
A public appeal has been launched to protect the blackbird population following reports of a deadly virus decimating the animals People who have blackbirds in their gardens have been urged to take "immediate" action following reports that large numbers of the animals have fallen victim to a lethal virus. The Usutu virus, a mosquito-borne disease originally from southern Africa, was first detected in the UK in 2020 and has been affecting the blackbird population in southern England, with cases reaching as far north as Cambridgeshire. The virus, which made its way into Europe 30 years ago and was responsible for many blackbird deaths there, was also linked to a 40 per cent plunge in the blackbird population in Greater London, according to Bird Guides. Usutu is said to cause minimal risk to humans. The alarming rate of death has sparked concern among conservationists, with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) urging people with gardens and blackbirds to participate in a special survey to determine the scale of the impact and provide necessary assistance. Dr Arran Folly, a senior research scientist at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), has voiced concerns about the persistent nature of the virus, warning that it could be a precursor to other mosquito-transmitted diseases arriving in the UK. He warned: "It gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK." Attributed to climate change, mosquito populations are expanding due to rising temperatures, longer summers, and more intense rainfall – creating ideal conditions for both the insects and their pathogens to thrive in previously inhospitable areas. As well as the public appeal to help monitor and report any blackbird sightings, researchers from the BTO and APHA are joining forces to investigate the effects of the Usutu virus on native bird species, reports Devon Live. A BTO spokesman said: "Blackbirds are currently nesting and are a common sight in gardens and parks. With public help, we can better track population trends and the virus's impact." While blackbird numbers remain stable in rural and northern regions, the unpredictable nature of the virus calls for continuous observation. The combined efforts of APHA and BTO are crucial for gathering essential data to shape conservation tactics and prepare for potential future diseases. The BTO added: "We are trying to better understand the extent and spread of Usutu virus and what the potential impacts of the virus might be on Blackbirds. In particular, as Blackbird numbers were already decreasing in London, a large urban area, we want to know if anything similar is happening in other urban areas, or whether these changes are specific to the capital, and how this compares to smaller urban and more rural areas." How will Blackbirds in Gardens help? The BTO is conducting a survey to gain insight into the potential for disease transmission by blackbirds in gardens. The study aims to determine how the number of birds gathering together in gardens affects the transmission of diseases. Furthermore, it will examine how blackbirds utilise different types of gardens and their success in raising young, particularly in varying levels of urbanisation, from rural to urban gardens. According to the BTO: "Although largely harmless to humans, this is the first time in modern history that a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis (a disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans) has emerged in wild animal hosts in the UK but, with changing climates, more may occur in the future." The survey is part of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, a broader partnership project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The project aims to understand the emergence and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the UK, which are expected to increase with climate change. The BTO stated: "The project will improve understanding of how these viruses emerge in new environments, enhance surveillance of diseases in wild birds in the UK and develop an early warning system for disease outbreaks." In order to take part in the survey, you will need to create a 'My BTO' account, which you can do so by clicking here and selecting 'Register'. Once that's done, click here to go to the survey.
