Thread: Wild birds
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Old 14-04-2003, 06:44 PM
 
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Default Wild birds


"BAC" wrote in message
...

nightjar wrote in message
.. .

"Jane Ransom" wrote in message
...
In article ,

nightjar@?.?
writes

'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.


Not my words, but those of the RSPB.


Must be right, then ...


It is not inconsistent with the claim that areas with cats have fewer birds.
The RSPB also points out that there is evidence that cats tend to take birds
that are sickly or weak and concludes that the majority of those caught by
cats would probably not have survived to breed the next season. It is the
number of breeding birds that determines the threat, or lack of threat to
the bird population. If an area with cats does have fewer birds, then if the
population also comprises a higher proportion of breeding birds, but fewer
weak or sickly birds, both statements can be correct.

Colin Bignell