My mam has a blackbird nesting in the garden and it laid eggs which have hatched this morning to reveal the baby chicks! We let the boys sneak in for a quick peek and then watched the mammy come and feed them for the next half an hour - was amazing to see! Isn’t nature amazing!?! | Sara Davies

The Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) is a familiar songbird found across Europe, known for its rich, melodious song. In spring, males become highly territorial, singing from prominent perches at dawn and dusk to attract mates and deter rivals. Their song, a flute-like melody, is a hallmark of the season. Males display with raised tails and puffed feathers, often chasing intruders from their territory. Nesting begins early, with females building cup-shaped nests in shrubs or hedges. They lay 3–5