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Hundreds of birds fall from sky in Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire City Council confirmed that 200 birds died in the incident.
The cause of the deaths remains unknown. 

Some 200 starlings are reported to have died in mysterious circumstances in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening (10 Feb) between Waterston and Hazelbeach. A Pembrokeshire Herald reporter described the scene as “birds falling from the sky in what looked like the hundreds”.

“There were 50 plus birds on the road, and you could hear them all in the hedges, squawking and making noises,” they said. “I don’t know what happened, really no idea, I can’t think it was a bird of prey, they weren’t flying and hitting the road, they were falling dead.”

An RSPB spokesperson said this can occur if birds are disturbed during their evening roost, adding: “When this happens during night-time, it can cause them to collide with the ground as they become disorientated.”

Officers from Pembrokeshire City Council confirmed that 200 birds had died but the cause of the deaths remains unknown. The incident has been reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

This is not the first time starlings have fallen from the sky in mysterious circumstances. In December 2019, hundreds of starlings were found dead on an unclassified road in Anglesey.

The birds were also found in nearby hedgerows, but not in the surrounding fields, sparking international speculation on the various possible causes, from avian flu to 5G signals, to a sonic boom.

North Wales Police said at the time: “It’s highly likely the murmuration took avoiding action whilst airborne, possibly [from] a bird of prey, with the rear of the group not pulling up in time and striking the ground.”

Tests carried out by the APHA on the birds confirmed trauma and internal bleeding as the cause of death, supporting the theory that the birds died from impact with the road.

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New RCVS Academy courses to remove barriers in vet care

News Story 1
 The RCVS Academy has launched two courses to its new client support series, as it seeks to improve accessibility in veterinary settings.

The courses will help professionals to support assistance dog partnerships and clients with hearing loss.

The Hearing loss and Assistance dogs courses saw RCVS project lead Catherine Hemingway collaborate with the British Deaf Association and Assistance Dogs UK. Vets will gain practical guidance on supporting clients with additional needs.

Each course takes an hour to complete, and can be accessed by RCVS registrants for free. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
APHA launches free virtual work experience programme

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), in collaboration with Springpod, has launched a free virtual work experience programme, giving young people across the UK the chance to explore careers dedicated to protecting animal and plant health.

The on-demand programme offers a unique insight into career opportunities within APHA, showcasing how students can contribute to tackling some of the UK's most critical biosecurity and environmental challenges.

Designed for students aged 13 and over, the course includes more than 10 hours of engaging content featuring real-life industry insights, scenario-based challenges, and practical guidance on applying for jobs. To register for the course, visit the APHA website.