Blackbird Bathing

Blackbird ~ Turdus merula

Blackbirds belong to the thrush family (Turdidae) and are one of the birds that constantly use Newington Green to forage for food. This winter, the wood chip paths have had a number of small holes dug in them - not by rodents but by blackbirds that foraged for worms during the winter. The wood chips allowed the birds to penetrate the otherwise frozen ground, so they managed to find worms and invertebrates for food there, even in the snow and ice.  

At other times of year, blackbirds can feed on various berries on the Green and the recently planted crab apples will gradually produce fruit which they can eat too.

Blackbirds regularly nest on at least one of the balconies overlooking the Green. There are usually 2-4 male blackbirds that use the Green and one or more females (which are actually brown not black).

This male blackbird is having a bath in one of the bird baths that Newington Green Action Group has provided for the Green as part of the WING project. NGAG volunteers regularly clean and fill the bird feeders and bird baths, as there is no other source of water available to wildlife on the Green. It is essential for birds to be able to drink and to groom their feathers, even in freezing weather, in order to keep them in good condition.

This blackbird is obviously a regular too - he watched as the fresh water was put into the container then immediately flew down to drink and bathe!

19 February 2010