Bird flu ( also known as avian influenza ) is a notifiable, infectious disease that affects both wild birds and kept poultry. It has a significant and devastating effect on birds and can spread extremely fast, making the need for the fast implementation of control measures urgent and important. According to current Government guidelines, "Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is currently in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone ( AIPZ). This means that "by law, you must follow strict biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus. More...

Would you like to attract more birds into your garden? Perhaps your garden has been looking a little lifeless and in need of some feathered friends?

Wild birds are appreciative of food, water and space to shelter, particularly if you live in a built-up residential area where greenery is sparse.

That's why we want to inspire you to turn your garden into a haven for birds! Adding some simple features to your garden can make all the difference. More...

Papilloma viruses in chaffinches give rise to warty growths - which have colloquially been called "tassel foot", and I think you would agree, looking at the photographs which have been kindly sent to me by David White, it is a very good descriptor.

Papilloma viruses in humans cause skin warts, which are very common but usually resolve spontaneously. In fact, I remember as a child, my Dad 'buying my warts from me' for a 5p (or maybe it was a sixpence?) - and magically they used to vanish! I think he just got his timing about right. More...