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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
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.