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Nature lovers get nocturnal
Image RSPB's Big Wild Sleep Out
The Big Wild Sleep Out aims to help children connect with nature.

RSPB's Big Wild Sleep Out to take place in June

Hundreds of thousands of nature lovers will be spending a night or two sleeping in the UK's great outdoors this June.

This year's RSPB Big Wild Sleep Out will see campers of all ages taking to their gardens, nature reserves, camp sites and parks for outdoorsy fun in the moonlight.

The more traditional campers will opt for a tent, while others may sleep in dens and shelters, or the really adventurous nature fans simply choose to sleep under the stars.

Activities include camp fires, bat safaris, stargazing and bug-hunting. Sponsored activities will help raise money for saving wildlife.

According to the RSPB, £20 could but a nest box for starlings, while £30 pays for a GPS tag to monitor where a seabird flies to find food.

The charity offers information on wildlife species that can be seen at night, as well as tips on where to spot bats, bugs and night-time birds and recipes for camp fire cooking.

The yearly event aims to help children in the UK to connect with nature, encouraging them to value wildlife.

The Big Wild Sleep Out is taking place from 16 to 22. For a list of night-time events going on in the UK, visit the RSPB website.

Image courtesy of RSPB

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.