After a long pause of wild bird collection due to high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS) has partially re-opened for the bird submissions. Since March 2023, we ceased bird carcass collection following guidance from Department for Food and Rural Affairs to the public to not touch dead wild birds. However, we are now currently working with wildlife professionals to collect birds for the scheme. If you or your organisation have procedures in place to safely handle birds and might have the opportunity to submit dead raptors and owls to the PBMS then we would like to hear from you.
Postage costs are covered by the PBMS, and you’ll receive feedback from our necropsy observations on the bird.
The best way to contact the scheme to discuss this is to email pbms@ceh.ac.uk or call 01524 595830.