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RSPB survey highlights starling decline
Numbers at lowest point in 30 years

The most recent annual Big Garden Birdwatch survey conducted by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has recorded a further decline in the number of sightings of starlings. When the survey began in 1979, the average number of starlings sighted in UK gardens stood at fifteen. Last year, the average number of sightings by participants had dropped to three and sightings were only recorded in less than half of gardens in the UK.

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has declared starlings a 'conservation concern', and the RSPB and allied organisations are investigating the causes of the decline. Improvements in farming efficiency leading to a drop in wasted grain on which the birds feed and changes in architectural fashions leading to a reduction in the number of potential nesting sites have both been offered as possible reasons.

This year's survey achieved the best response from the public in the history of the initiative. The RSPB has revealed that approximately nine million birds across 70 species were counted by nearly 600,000 people. 

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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. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA announces 12th Edition of the Small Animal Formulary

The BSAVA has published an updated edition of its Small Animal Formulary, which includes new drug monographs and emergency drug doses for rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles.

One of BSAVA's most trusted and widely used clinical resources, this 12th edition of the manual also includes seven new client information leaflets and information on drugs used for the management of urinary incontinence.

Part A of the Formulary, Canine and Feline, sees Fergus Allerton return as Editor-in-Chief, while Part B: Exotic Pets was edited by Joanna Hedley. For more information, visit the BSAVA website.