Country diary: The blackbird’s song is no one-hit wonder

Ormeau, South Belfast: Its mellifluous melody has been an inspiration for poets and musicians, but what of its lesser-known, scratchy follow-up?

It’s still dark, but the dawn chorus is in full swing. This performance, however – except for a thin descant of robin – comprises a single thrush species. Elsewhere, song thrush (Turdus philomelos) or mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus) would be joining in by now, but around this urban garden, the blackbird (Turdus merula) commands the stage.

Although their ancestors were shy forest creatures, since the 19th century there has been widespread movement of blackbirds into cities. Their population densities are now higher in urban environments than in the countryside. Increased competition for territory rouses more urgent strains, but they can’t override the melody.