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Surveying Birmingham's Bird Life

Common species of bird were found in all areas.
With the help of the RSPB, Birmingham University and hundreds of volunteers, Birmingham Parks have conducted a region-wide bird survey, the first major survey of biodiversity in streams and rivers within Birmingham, to try and map the populations of local wetland bird life.

The survey was conducted over two years and has investigated over 50kms of stream across Birmingham and recovered more than 10,000 individual bird records.

The survey revealed surprise inclusions, including a red kite, the second only to be found in Birmingham, and a little ringed plover, both found around Harborne Reservoir. The survey also recorded numerous ring-necked parakeets in Perry Park. Common species of bird were found in all areas, including woodpigeon, blackbird, magpie, great tit, wren, carrion crow, blue tit and robin. Other birds found were the chiffchaff, mallard, moorhen, grey heron, Canadian goose, coot, great crested grebe, tufted duck, cormorant, mute swan and little grebe.

The result of this survey is the capturing of new and important data for mapping bird populations in Birmingham. The findings now show a clear relationship between bird and habitat type, with some surprises, such as how common and widespread song thrush are and increasing numbers of records of grey heron and grey wagtail, both indications of improving water quality.

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Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

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Bluetongue RZ extended across Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced an extension to a Bluetongue Restricted Zone that is in place in south-west Scotland.

From 3 October, the Restricted Zone will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland. The Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) says this is in response to further disease spread, as well as simplify trading conditions ahead of the autumn.

Since the whole country will share a disease status, it will no longer be necessary to have a movement license to move susceptible livestock around the country. Restrictions on germinal products remain.

As of 1 October 2026, there were 1,979 cases of BTV-3 in England, 389 cases in Wales and 40 cases in Scotland.