CATS AND GARDEN BIRDS

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“Despite the large numbers of birds killed, there is no scientific evidence that predation by cats in gardens is having any impact on bird populations UK-wide.”
Quote RSPB:- ‘Cats and Garden Birds’
MG and myself are keen birders and on a recent trip up Strathspey we visited a new RSPB hide at Insh Marshes where we picked up some information leaflets including one entitled ‘Cats and Garden Birds’. At home we have a number of feeders in the garden and, also, a couple of Siamese cats! The leaflet proved to be very interesting and the following contains quotes and information from the leaflet. So, why do the RSPB make the above claim?
1) Between a quarter and a third of all animals killed by cats are birds. Most of the rest are mice and voles.
2) Many millions of birds die naturally each year, mainly through starvation, disease or other forms of predation.
3) There is some evidence that cats tend to take weak or sickly birds.
4) We also know that of the millions of baby birds hatched out each year, most die before reaching breeding age.
5) It is possible that most of the birds killed by cats would have died anyway from other causes.
6) Those bird species that have undergone the most serious population decline (eg skylark, tree sparrows and corn buntings) rarely encounter cats.
Never the less, I agree that it is better if cat predation is reduced and the leaflet then goes on to give ideas on how to do this. There is a cat collar with a quick release device that pops open under pressure (the same idea as with the ties worn by police officers etc) and this should release easily if caught in a hedge. For non-cat owners the RSPB suggest an ultrasonic cat deterrent and claim that their CATWatch device will reduce cat visits to the garden so should also help those who have a problem with cats using the garden for a toilet.
Finally, for would be shooters, there is a reminder that cats are protected by law and that it is an offence to trap, injure or kill them.
As a case study I look at our own situation. When our cats make a kill they like to bring a ‘little present’ for Mum & Dad. The kill is deposited and eaten in the sitting room, dining room or back doorstep so, undesirable as this is, we do have a fairly clear picture of what they kill. Actually, it is not a lot and the two main species are house sparrows and goldfinches. Are they in decline? Ten years ago a goldfinch was a rarity in our garden and something to get excited about. Now, we have a horde of twenty to thirty goldfinches every day. House sparrows have never been an issue as they nest in the eaves of our neighbour’s house and we feed their families for twelve months of the year.
If you wish to read the whole leaflet for yourself it is available on the RSPB web site:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/cats/index.aspx

You might also be interested in two other RSPB leaflets:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/359634-killer-fat-threat-to-wild-birds
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/decline/index.aspx

• 6 Jan, 2014
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