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Police confirm suspected cause of Anglesey starling deaths
The starlings were found near Llyn Llywenan, Bodedern, on Tuesday 10 December 2019.

Bodies of hundreds of birds were discovered in December 2019

North Wales police have confirmed what most likely caused a group of nearly 300 starlings to mysteriously die in Anglesey in December.

The birds were discovered scattered on an unclassified road and in nearby hedgerows, but none were found in the surrounding fields. Some were still alive when the group was found but were visibly weak and unable to fly, dying shortly after.

The story sparked global interest, with people speculating on a number of causes, from bird flu, to 5G signals, to a sonic boom. Leading both the RAF and Vodaphone to release statements rejecting their involvement.

In a series of tweets published on the North Wales Police Rural Crime Team’s twitter, the police stated that they are still awaiting toxicology reports, however “It’s highly likely the murmuration took avoiding action whilst airborne, possibly [from] a bird of prey, with the rear of the group not pulling up in time and striking the ground.”

According to the police, initial tests carried out by the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) confirming trauma and internal bleeding as the cause of death, support the theory that the birds died from impact with the road.

35 starlings were taken for examination, one of which was found to have a ring on its left leg having been ringed in Lithuania in 2015, making it four years old and 1,662 km away from Anglesey from the point of ringing.

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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
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.