Blackbirds in Ireland
When the Blackbird (Turdus merula) is present in Ireland, when it nests, and which native Ireland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Ireland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- March–July
- Size
- 24 cm, 100 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect blackbirds in Ireland
The Blackbird lives in Ireland all year round. Mild winters with little snow; Redwings and Fieldfares feed in hedges and fields.
Oceanic climate — mild, humid and consistently wet, especially in the west.
Nesting in Ireland
In Ireland the Blackbird usually nests March–July. Nest site: mud-lined cup in hedges, climbers or sheds. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days; chicks fledge after 13–14 days, and pairs raise 2–3 per year.
- The Blackbird does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Ireland plants for blackbirds
Of the native plants we track for Ireland, these 8 provide food the Blackbird uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Orange-red berries are a magnet for Blackbirds, thrushes and Waxwings from August.
Evergreen roosting cover and winter berries on female plants.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Hips persist into winter for thrushes and finches.
Translucent red berries in autumn.
Feeding in the garden
Earthworms and insects; fruit in autumn and winter.
- Best foods: Soaked sultanas, Apples, Mealworms, Suet pellets.
- Feeders: Ground tray, Open table.
- Windfall apples left on the lawn feed Blackbirds, Redwings and Fieldfares in hard weather.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are blackbirds in Ireland all year?
Yes — the Blackbird is resident in Ireland all year.
When do blackbirds nest in Ireland?
Typically March–July. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days, with 2–3 per year.
Which native plants help blackbirds in Ireland?
Hawthorn, Rowan, Holly, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Dog rose, Guelder rose are native to Ireland and provide food or cover the Blackbird uses.
Blackbirds in other countries
Other garden birds in Ireland
Sources
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.