Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 4th April 2019
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

House sparrows top RSPB Birdwatch survey
The house sparrow remains the UK’s most commonly-sighted bird.
Results show a mixed picture for UK’s garden birds

Recent results from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch survey show the house sparrow remains the UK’s most commonly-sighted bird.

Figures released by the charity show there were some 1.2 million sightings of the bird throughout the survey weekend. But for many species, fewer birds were recorded than in 2018.

Held during the last weekend in January, the event shows there was a decrease in garden sightings of wrens and long-tailed tits. In 2019, long-tailed tits decreased by more than 27 per cent and wrens by 17 per cent.

RSPB believes populations of both species may have been affected by last year’s ‘Beast from the East’ but say it is still too early to say if this is a one-off or the start of a new trend.

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is now in its 40th year and offers an opportunity for people of all ages to count the number of birds that visit their garden. This year, around half-a-million people across the UK took part in counting 7.5 million birds.

RSPB conservation scientist Daniel Hayhow said: “Over its long lifetime, the survey has shown the increasing good fortunes of birds such as the goldfinch and wood pigeon and the alarming declines of the house sparrow and starling. But there appears to be good news for one of these birds.

“While the overall decline in house sparrow numbers, reported by participants, since the Big Garden Birdwatch began is 56 per cent (1979–2019), in the most recent decade (2009-2019) numbers appear to have increased by 10 per cent. Giving us hope that at least a partial recovery may be happening.”

RSPB’s director of conservation added: “Our garden birds should be a part of our everyday life. For many people, they provide our only connection to the natural world and bring enormous joy. To have hundreds of thousands of people spend an hour watching the wildlife in their garden doesn’t only help us build up a picture of how our garden birds are doing, but people who take part feel better.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."