CPD026 Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme Collaborative Agreement Renewal for 2025/2026

The primary aim of the agreement is to continue the long-term monitoring program of contaminants in birds of prey, known as the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS). The agreement sets out to continue a core program of sample collection and analysis (specifically, post-mortems and reporting on the impact of avian influenza on the PBMS), the project is steered by a Project Group which includes the other funding partners, who have separate agreements with UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH).

The program will carry out surveillance of residues of selected contaminants in the tissues and eggs of a range of predatory bird species. This enables the funding partners to monitor trends and advise on the effectiveness of measures to restrict the use and entry into the environment of the monitored compounds and the degree of concern regarding the presence and level of a range of toxic compounds in wildlife.

Maintaining and enhancing the PBMS platform is also important in the development of a terrestrial chemical monitoring program for England. The developmental monitoring programme is required to deliver advise to government on chemicals and biocides policy, and to service the development and reporting on the H4 indicator 'Exposure and adverse effects of chemicals on wildlife in the environment'. H4 is one of a suite of indicators in the Environment Improvement Plan EIP (formerly the 25-Year Environment Plan (25-YEP)) Outcome Indicator Framework. The indicator contributes to measuring whether we are moving towards the goal of 'managing exposure to chemicals'. The H4 indicators are based on chemical concentrations found in water and in different organisms including apex predator mammals and birds. PBMS is a key platform that enables the gathering of samples and data used in the development and reporting on the 25-year indicators.

Work package 1 - Running the PBMS Platform (maintenance)

1.1 Liaise with wildlife conservation bodies/organisations and or citizen science approaches to receive samples (receipt of samples) - specific to other NGOs and members of the public

1.2 Sample archive (digital log)

1.3 Sample archive (physical transfer)

1.4 Barn Owl SGAR/GOG contribution

1.5 Publish relevant reports on PBMS website and NERC archive

1.6 Maintenance of PBMS website

1.7 Maintain PBMS-related publication plan

Work package 2 - PBMS resilience plan, monitoring of HPAI impacts and improvements in best practice (enhancement)

These activities include:

2.1 Discussion with other monitoring schemes to allow for additional exchange of samples, understanding of UK HPAI status and improvements in best practice

2.2 HPAI impact annual report

2.3 PBMS HPAI-operating procedure annual report