Blackbirds are one of the UK’s most familiar garden birds, yet surprisingly little is known about how their breeding success varies across urban environments. That is where you come in.

Blackbird Detectives is a local citizen science initiative, led by a PhD researcher at the University of Birmingham in collaboration with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). The project is exploring how habitat, weather and urbanisation influence Blackbird breeding success across Birmingham – and local residents, volunteers and Friends Groups can play a vital role.

Participation is simple and flexible. If you spot a Blackbird nest in your garden, park or local open space, noting its location and whether there are eggs or chicks is all it takes. For 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 project works alongside established BTO schemes including the Nest Record Scheme and Nesting Neighbours, which provide clear guidance on observing nests safely and responsibly.

By contributing observations from across Birmingham, we can help build a clearer picture of how urban environments affect breeding birds – and how we can better protect biodiversity across our city.

To sign up or report a nest, contact: [email protected]