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Survey hopes to unlock goldfinch mystery
goldfinch
Learning more about how birds use garden resources will help conservationists to provide for them when times are hard.

Garden songbird is becoming increasingly common
 
One of Britain's most charming songbirds is an increasingly common sight in our gardens. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is asking members of the public to help find out why.

Over the past 25 years, goldfinch numbers have risen dramatically, according to the trust's Garden Bird Feeding Survey. But the reasons for this increase are not well understood.

BTO is launching a new survey to find out if its increasing use of garden bird foods is helping the species to grow.

The trust wants to explore the importance of the type of food we put out and the plants we grow; whether goldfinches prefer nyger seed or sunflower seed.

Learning more about how birds use garden resources will help conservationists to provide for them when times are hard.

BTO is asking members of the public to spend two minutes watching goldfinches in their garden, reporting how many birds are seen and what they are eating.

The trust is also interested in how their feeding behaviour changes throughout the winter.

The goldfinch feeding survey will run from November 2015 to February 2016. To find out more visit: http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/about/background/projects/goldfinch-feeding-survey/instructions

Image © Francis C. Franklin / CC-BY-SA-3.0

 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.