AGM reminder

Just a reminder of our AGM at Slimbridge on Saturday at 2pm. If you cannot make it and would like to view proceedings, the secretary will send out a Zoom link on Thursday to all paid-up members. No link? Contact the office by noon on Friday and we’ll do our best to send one to […]

Gatherings allowed, but not for waterfowl

Tim Daniels show photographer

A small easement in the gatherings ban has been announced as from tomorrow. The full announcement is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain Please make sure anyone who asks about this reads the WHOLE release, particularly this, paragraphs 10 and 11: ‘Gatherings of Anseriforme poultry and Anseriforme birds including ducks, geese and swans are not permitted. These changes only […]

BWA member event

The BWA will be visiting the beautiful Edwardian country hall and estate on the outskirts of Leeds – Lotherton Hall. Lotherton’s Wildlife World tells the story of its natural heritage, while drawing on the travels of previous owners of the estate, the Gascoignes. In the evening we will have a group meal at the Ash […]

The Christopher Marler BWA Award

Young breeder scholarship Applications are invited from young people who have shown aptitude and skill in breeding waterfowl. Following the death of Christopher Marler in July 2019, his family have generously offered to fund a ten-year series of grants to be made in his name. These are to encourage young people who aspire to go […]

AI still affecting Black-headed Gulls

Although wild bird cases of bird flu are starting to diminish, large groups of Black-headed Gulls continue to see mass die-offs. This latest one in Bedford is a timely reminder that we still need to take utmost care with our biosecurity. See local BBC New report here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-65562633 For the latest Gov.uk info about hygiene […]

We’re hiring!

  Summary Job Description Council Meetings • Prepare and distribute agenda & minutes for Council meetings (four per year) and the Annual General Meeting • Attend and take minutes at Council meetings and participate in online meetings • Prepare and present a financial report and general report including an overview of membership activity for Council […]

Poultry Registration consultation

It is currently mandatory for a person who is a keeper of 50 or more poultry at any single premises to register their birds on the Great Britain Poultry Register by providing specified information on the birds. The information on the register enables the government to communicate with poultry keepers quickly, to manage any potential […]

Wild waterfowl death reporting requirements intensify

Reporting dead wild birds – surveillance sensitivity increases In Great Britain, members of the public should use the new online reporting system or call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if they find one or more dead wild birds of prey, gull, swan, goose or duck, or five or more dead wild birds of […]

Swans killed in Essex

As waterfowl lovers, it is hard to understand why anyone takes pleasure harming these beautiful creatures. Large, close and slow moving, they could not even be described as ‘sporting’ targets. Following catapult attacks on four Mute Swans early in the new year, 2 firms with local connections have each offered £1000 for information leading to […]

Online Reporting Service for Dead Wild Birds

Defra has launched a new online reporting system to be used by the public to report dead wild birds in Great Britain, as part of the Government response to the ongoing avian influenza outbreak. The new online system will be available to use 24/7, making is simpler and quicker for the public to report dead […]