Strict biosecurity is now mandatory
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Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) Press Notice – Bird flu – Latest situation: Avian influenza prevention zone declared across Great Britain Following a number of detections of avian influenza in wild birds across Great Britain, the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the whole […]
Bird Flu identified at a rescue centre in Worcestershire
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Please be aware Defra has issued the following press notice: News Story – Bird flu identified at a rescue centre in Worcestershire On the 26th October 2021 avian influenza H5N1 was confirmed in birds at a rescue centre near Droitwich Spa, Wychavon, Worcestershire. Further testing is underway to confirm the pathogenicity of the strain. […]
Plan ahead and reduce the risk of avian flu
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The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officers are encouraging poultry keepers to take action now to reduce the risk of avian flu over the winter. The UK is currently free from avian flu, but over the last year 26 outbreaks were confirmed in kept poultry and captive birds and in over 300 wild birds. As winter approaches, […]
Remembering David Kinsman
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Sadly we have to report that long-standing member, David J J Kinsman, passed away earlier this month. As a waterfowl keeper for more than 40 years, he was always generous with his time and birds and inspired many in our hobby. As a young teenager, he and a friend took the bus from Bristol as […]
Naturalised UK Barnacle Geese
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Some Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis) stay here all year rather than returning to Svalbard or Greenland to breed. A new study is looking into the movements and demography of this naturalised UK population. Read more about the study here.
Champion Waterfowl schedule now available
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The schedule and entry forms are now available — last date for submissions is Tuesday 19th October. Schedule here Entry form here
Inspired by Geese
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The BWA’s latest Waterfowl magazine went to press this week. A chance conversation about wakeful Roman Geese led to this edition’s theme. One thing led to another; our tie-up with Saddle Goose Wine, The Pilgrim Goose Project and several news items have given us plenty of content. Just how our birds breed does ultimately come […]
Non-native species
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A number of members asked us about an email they have received recently from Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Past member of the BWA, Jason Finney, works for the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat and is in the second year of a scoping exercise looking at a wide range of sectors to assess the risk […]
Wetlands International launches new Waterbird Population Portal
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The Waterbird Populations Portal (WPP) launches on 29th June. WPP is an online interactive platform that will make available the most recent data on the status and distribution of the world’s waterbird populations. It will provide the latest size estimates and trends of over 2500 populations of over 870 waterbird species and present the latest 1% […]
Dr Paul Johnsgard RIP
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We are sad to report the passing of Dr Paul Johnsgard – renowned author of more than 30 books. Foundation Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dr Johnsgard received his doctorate from Cornell University. Individuals and ornithological organisations alike recognise him for for his contributions to knowledge of natural history and conservation. […]