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.
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

Soothing birdsong to sweep the nation
The Let Nature Sing Takeover is being held by the RSPB to raise awareness of declining bird populations.

RSPB event to raise awareness of declining bird populations

Commuters, shoppers and office workers across the UK today (17 October) will be greeted by the sound of soothing birdsong.

Westfield Shopping Centre, Co-op stores and transport hubs including the London Underground are among more than 5,000 unexpected locations where the event will be taking place. Added to this will be organised community events where people can get together with family and friends and enjoy the relaxing sounds of nature.

The Let Nature Sing Takeover is being held by the RSPB to raise awareness of declining bird populations in the UK, along with losses seen in much of the UK’s most loved wildlife. 


It comes in response to new figures which reveal that, for UK adults aged 18-44, addressing climate change and the environment is the number one issue for today’s politicians to secure the long-term legacy of their government.

The RSPB hopes that, following its summer top 20 chart hit Let Nature Sing - a music track of pure birdsong - it will once again bring birdsong back everyone’s life, acting as a reminder of what could be lost if the crisis facing nature is not addressed.

RSPB’s director of communications, Rebecca Munro, said: “Earlier this year Let Nature Sing got the public talking about what birdsong means to them and the shocking fact that the UK has lost over 40 million birds in just half a century. We all need birdsong in our daily life, but our natural world is in crisis, our wildlife is falling silent.

“This summer there have been deeply concerning reports and warnings published by IPBES and the IPPC. And the State of Nature report has revealed that a quarter of our mammals and half of the UK’s bird species are threatened with extinction.

“When looking at the evidence it is no surprise to see that more people recognise that something is not right with our natural world and that the public feel strongly that addressing climate change and the environment should be a top issue for today’s politicians looking to create a legacy future generations will be proud of.”

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

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

Click here for more...
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.