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Robin voted UK's national bird
robin
Ornithologist David Lindo believes the UK should have a national bird like other countries.
Government asked to recognise the UK's first national bird

The robin has been voted the UK's favourite in a poll of more than 200,000 members of the British public.

Ornithologist David Lindo believes the UK should have a national bird like other countries, which is why he launched a poll in March this year.

More than 210,000 people voted online and thousands more sent in paper ballot forms, as well as the thousands of school children from hundreds of UK schools who voted.

Voting closed on the same day as the General Election and the results were finally announced last week.

Mr Lindo told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think the robin is totally entwined into our national psyche - it is the Christmas card pin-up and supposed gardeners' friend."

The other top 10 birds were:
2nd - Barn owl
3rd - Blackbird
4th - Wren
5th - Red kite
6th - Kingfisher
7th - Mute swan
8th - Blue tit
9th - Hen harrier
10th - Puffin

According to BBC News, Mr Lindo now plans to ask the government to recognise the robin as the UK's national bird.

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.