 Blackbird (Turdus merula). Male. Taken Abingdon, Oxon., on February 1st 2019. Male. Taken Abingdon, Oxon., on February 1st 2019. (1/100th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  Blackbird (Turdus merula). Female. Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on April 4th 2021. Female. Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on April 4th 2021. (1/100th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  Blackbird (Turdus merula). Juvenile. Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on May 16th 2021. Juvenile. Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on May 16th 2021. (1/200th sec at f9. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) Description L:23.5 - 29 cm Male Blackbirds live up to their name but the females are mostly brown, often with spots and streaks on their breasts. The bright orange-yellow beak and eye-ring make adult male Blackbirds one of the most striking garden birds. Blackbirds can be found throughout the British Isles. They breed in woodlands, parks and gardens. Usually two or three broods are raised each year. Blackbirds hold territories from late autumn to the end of the breeding season, which are vigourously defended against intruders. There are about 5 million breeding pairs in Britain. The winter population may rise to 15 million birds. Sightings | 11-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 04-Mar-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 24-Feb-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 31-Jan-2024 | : | Slimbridge, Glos | | | 18-Jan-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 16-Jan-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 12-Jan-2024 | : | Bagley Wood, Oxon | (3) | | 04-Jan-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Jan-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Jan-2024 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | |
| | 26-Dec-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 17-Dec-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 08-Dec-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 13-Sep-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 20-May-2023 | : | Cholsey Marsh, Oxon | (h) | | 04-May-2023 | : | Cors y Llyn NNR, Powys | | | 03-May-2023 | : | Gilfach, Powys | | | 28-Apr-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 28-Apr-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 15-Apr-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (3) | | 26-Mar-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 11-Mar-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 26-Feb-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 19-Feb-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 05-Feb-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 01-Feb-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 30-Jan-2023 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 20-Jan-2023 | : | Bagley Wood, Oxon | | | 15-Jan-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 01-Jan-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 01-Jan-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | |
| | 26-Dec-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 08-Dec-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 06-Dec-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 06-Dec-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 01-Dec-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 25-Nov-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 20-Nov-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 18-Nov-2022 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (4) | | 26-Oct-2022 | : | Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks | | | 09-Jun-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 03-Jun-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 15-May-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 03-May-2022 | : | Builth Wells, Powys | | | 03-May-2022 | : | Elan Valley, Powys | | | 02-May-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 01-May-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 27-Apr-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 23-Apr-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (4+2juv) | | 05-Apr-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
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