Blackbird detectives – turning research into action

The ‘Blackbird Detectives’ scheme brings together researchers, schools and local communities to better understand how climate change is affecting one of the UK's most recognisable garden birds. By encouraging people to become 'Blackbird Detectives', the initiative is turning everyday wildlife observations into valuable research that will help shape future conservation efforts across the region.

Led by Anna Smith, a PhD researcher in the School of Biosciences, in collaboration with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the ‘Blackbird Detectives’ project combines scientific research with citizen science to better understand how climate change and human activity is affecting Eurasian Blackbirds (Turdus merula) in the UK. With schools now closed for the summer holidays, families are being encouraged to head outdoors and become Blackbird Detectives looking for nests in their own gardens, parks and green spaces.

The project explores how factors such as temperature, rainfall and extreme climate events, affect the survival rate and breeding success of Blackbird nests. By combining national datasets with observations from local residents, schools and volunteers, the initiative aims to understand how wildlife is adapting to changing urban environments, helping to inform future conservation efforts and protect biodiversity across the city.

With Blackbirds being highly sensitive to environmental changes - as they build open nests that are exposed to weather and disturbance - their breeding success helps researchers to understand the impact that extreme weather events have on urban birds in comparison to their rural counterparts.

Anna Smith, PhD researcher in the School of Biosciences, said: “Blackbirds are a species we see every day, but we don’t yet fully understand how well they’re coping with the environments we’re creating. By combining scientific research with help from the public, we can start to build a clearer picture of how climate change and urban life are affecting wildlife and what we can do to support it.”

The scheme encourages residents in communities across Birmingham and Coventry to note down Blackbird nests, eggs and chicks, in their local gardens, parks and open spaces, during the Blackbird breeding season, which runs from March through to August. For suitable nests within the study area, there is also the opportunity to take part in additional monitoring using small sensors to measure temperature, sound and activity around the nest.

The findings are then uploaded into the BTO’s Nesting Neighbours Database, with step-by-step instructions available for individuals to follow. The data insights are used to directly inform scientific research, helping to protect urban wildlife for generations to come.

While the project predominately focuses on Blackbirds, the findings are also beneficial in understanding avian behaviours of other open-cup nesting species, that share similar habitats.

The project also works with local schools to engage young people in wildlife research, delivering curriculum-backed outdoor workshops to pupils. Some school sessions are delivered in collaboration with Climate Ed, a volunteer-based organisation which delivers free climate education into primary schools, with opportunities for students to get involved supported through the University of Birmingham’s UoB Xtra programme.

Through guided activities and downloadable teaching resources, pupils can become Blackbird Detectives themselves, learning more about local wildlife while helping to collect data that supports ongoing research. As urban areas continue to expand and climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events, understanding how wildlife responds will become increasingly important.

Anna added: “Although this year's breeding season is drawing to a close, ready to restart next year, we are still keen to hear about any active or recently used Blackbird nests. Nest records collected now remain valuable for the current study and may also help support future research projects investigating urban wildlife.

“Even if you don't find an active nest this summer, you can register your interest in future monitoring, school activities and community projects or after the season has finished, send in old blackbird nests for dissections exploring nest structure and composition.”

By bringing together researchers, schools, volunteers and local communities, Blackbird Detectives demonstrates how university-led research can be translated into meaningful action, generating new scientific knowledge and data while empowering communities to play an active role in protecting the natural environment.

As Blackbird Detectives continues to develop across the West Midlands, it reflects the strength of a collaborative approach that brings together universities and local communities to address environmental challenges and build climate resilient habitats for wildlife.

Learn more about Blackbird detectives and how to get involved.