Environmental (Commonwealth Union)_ Mya-Rose Craig, a prominent young ornithologist and environmental activist, warns that a sharp decline in blackbird populations, partly driven by the spread of the mosquito-borne Usutu virus, may only be the beginning of a larger crisis facing British wildlife.
At just 23, Craig—widely known by her social media handle BirdGirlUK has become a leading voice for the environment. Speaking from her home in Chew Valley, Somerset, she expressed deep concern over the recent emergence of Usutu virus in the UK and the broader implications it holds for native species and ecosystems.
“The spread of the virus, especially in relation to blackbird decline, feels like a taste of what’s to come,” Craig said in a recent interview with BBC Breakfast. “It’s a clear signal that our wildlife is already struggling in ways people don’t fully realise.”
According to new data released earlier this week, the Usutu virus has swept across much of southern England in just five years. During the same period, blackbird populations in Greater London have plummeted by as much as 40%. The virus, first detected in Europe in the 1990s, is spread by mosquitoes and has been associated with fatal infections in various bird species.
The young ornithologist noted that climate change is playing a pivotal role in this troubling trend. Rising temperatures and increasing instances of flooding are creating more favorable conditions for mosquito populations to thrive and expand their range.
“It’s getting worse because of climate change,” Craig said. “The warmer, wetter weather is making it easier for mosquitoes and the viruses they carry to establish themselves here.”
Craig has campaigned for environmental causes since she was 13, and she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bristol in 2020. Her passion for birds and biodiversity is personal and deeply rooted.
“Blackbirds are everywhere. They’re part of the soundtrack of everyday life in Britain. When you hear birdsong in your garden or local park, it’s often the blackbird you’re hearing,” she explained. “So to see them disappearing so rapidly is heartbreaking.”
Her advocacy goes beyond the blackbird. Craig has long been a champion of the UK’s often-overlooked garden birds what she lovingly refers to as the country’s “small, brown species.”
“Our garden birds are incredibly special,” she said. “That’s why this is so alarming the speed at which we’re seeing these declines is unprecedented.”
And the blackbird is far from the only bird under threat. Craig pointed to the European starling, another once-common species in the UK, which has suffered a staggering 80% population drop since the 1960s.
“When we talk about biodiversity loss, it can feel very distant,” she said. “But imagine a city without birdsong it’s a profoundly unsettling thought. These aren’t just numbers. Their loss changes the entire feel and health of our environment.”
The Usutu virus serves as a stark warning about the intersection of infectious disease, climate change, and wildlife decline. While efforts to monitor and study the virus are ongoing, scientists fear its continued spread may further endanger a wide range of bird species across the UK.
Craig is urging the public and policymakers to take immediate action, not only to protect vulnerable species but also to safeguard the natural soundscape and ecosystems that define British life.
“Our wildlife is in trouble, and the changes are happening faster than most people realise,” she said. “If we don’t act now, we risk losing more than just birds we risk losing the vital connections we have with the natural world around us.”
