Archipelago of Killer Cats - One For Pummy

Back to cats a very interesting article by the RSPB


  
Image: Ray Kennedy

Estimates of how many creatures are killed by cats each year vary significantly.
The most recent figures are from the Mammal Society, which estimates that the UK's cats catch up to 275 million prey items a year, of which 55 million are birds. This is the number of prey items that were known to have been caught; we don't know how many more the cats caught, but didn't bring home, or how many escaped but subsequently died.
The most frequently caught birds, according to the Mammal Society, are probably (in order) house sparrows, blue tits, blackbirds and starlings.

No evidence

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. This may be surprising, but many millions of birds die naturally every year, mainly through starvation, disease, or other forms of predation. There is evidence that cats tend to take weak or sickly birds.
It is likely that most of the birds killed by cats would have died anyway from other causes before the next breeding season
We also know that of the millions of baby birds hatched each year, most will die before they reach breeding age. This is also quite natural, and each pair needs only to rear two young that survive to breeding age to replace themselves and maintain the population.
It is likely that most of the birds killed by cats would have died anyway from other causes before the next breeding season, so cats are unlikely to have a major impact on populations. If their predation was additional to these other causes of mortality, this might have a serious impact on bird populations.
Those bird species that have undergone the most serious population declines in the UK (such as skylarks, tree sparrows and corn buntings) rarely encounter cats, so cats cannot be causing their declines. Research shows that these declines are usually caused by habitat change or loss, particularly on farmland.

Gardens: important habitat

Populations of species that are most abundant in gardens tend to be increasing, despite the presence of cats. Blue tits, for example, the second most frequently caught birds, have increased by over a quarter across the UK since 1966. Of the birds most frequently caught by cats in gardens, only two (house sparrow and starling) have shown declines in breeding population across a range of habitats during the last six years.
Gardens may provide a breeding habitat for at least 20% of the UK populations of house sparrows, starlings, greenfinches, blackbirds and song thrushes four of which are declining across the UK. For this reason it would be prudent to try to reduce cat predation, as, although it is not causing the declines, some of these species are already under pressure.
Cat predation can be a problem where housing is next to scarce habitats such as heathland, and could potentially be most damaging to species with a restricted range (such as cirl buntings) or species dependent on a fragmented habitat (such as Dartford warblers on heathland).

so what does that tell us FGS?

I think the best way to solve this problem is to just deal with the Tom Cats. Make it law that they should all be castrated at birth (or maybe the day after). Eventually the problem will cease.

davo wrote:

so what does that tell us FGS?

That poor little paddy cat has a halo

catgate wrote:

I think the best way to solve this problem is to just deal with the Tom Cats. Make it law that they should all be castrated at birth (or maybe the day after). Eventually the problem will cease.

They should be at 9 weeks anyway. What about people who like cats you may as well do the same  to dogs or any domestic pet. If they run wild and over populate an area then obviously things need to be addressed. It seems some are talking pets and ferral.

We have a sterilisation programme that is works,  here that includes dogs

Goldie wrote:

catgate wrote:

I think the best way to solve this problem is to just deal with the Tom Cats. Make it law that they should all be castrated at birth (or maybe the day after). Eventually the problem will cease.

They should be at 9 weeks anyway. What about people who like cats you may as well do the same  to dogs or any domestic pet. If they run wild and over populate an area then obviously things need to be addressed. It seems some are talking pets and ferral.

We have a sterilisation programme that is works,  here that includes dogs

I feel we should adopt my scheme and include in it politicians.

catgate wrote:

Goldie wrote:

catgate wrote:

I think the best way to solve this problem is to just deal with the Tom Cats. Make it law that they should all be castrated at birth (or maybe the day after). Eventually the problem will cease.

They should be at 9 weeks anyway. What about people who like cats you may as well do the same  to dogs or any domestic pet. If they run wild and over populate an area then obviously things need to be addressed. It seems some are talking pets and ferral.

We have a sterilisation programme that is works,  here that includes dogs

I feel we should adopt my scheme and include in it politicians.

Now I know you are jesting youb dafty 

I agree about ferrals  Pum and good neutering policies have found to work as here in Lanzarote. It is expected to be no stray cats within 2 years. All male domestic cats must be neutered. House cats with strict guidelines will only be allowed.  As it happens the Canarians tend not to like cats. It's the ex pats that are the problem. We brought out cat from the UK and he was monitored. I never have agreed that cats should be left to wander. 

I do understand it has got out of hand in Australia and sympathise.

catgate wrote:Goldie wrote:catgate wrote:I think the best way to solve this problem is to just deal with the Tom Cats. Make it law that they should all be castrated at birth (or maybe the day after). Eventually the problem will cease.They should be at 9 weeks anyway. What about people who like cats you may as well do the same  to dogs or any domestic pet. If they run wild and over populate an area then obviously things need to be addressed. It seems some are talking pets and ferral.

We have a sterilisation programme that is works,  here that includes dogs
I feel we should adopt my scheme and include in it politicians.

I see that the last line of my suggested action has been ignored. Something should be done before the world is over run  with parasites.

catgate wrote:

catgate wrote:Goldie wrote:catgate wrote:I think the best way to solve this problem is to just deal with the Tom Cats. Make it law that they should all be castrated at birth (or maybe the day after). Eventually the problem will cease.They should be at 9 weeks anyway. What about people who like cats you may as well do the same  to dogs or any domestic pet. If they run wild and over populate an area then obviously things need to be addressed. It seems some are talking pets and ferral.

We have a sterilisation programme that is works,  here that includes dogs
I feel we should adopt my scheme and include in it politicians.

I see that the last line of my suggested action has been ignored. Something should be done before the world is over run  with parasites.

Bit extreme catgate. Animals have always lived with man.

Goldie wrote:

catgate wrote:

"......and kill thousands of wild animals and birds."

I think that is not particularly important.

The most important thing is just that they are cats.

The article is about Tigers though. You Tinkers trying to bring in the domestic variety. 

your header doesn't specify the size of the cat!!

davo wrote:

Goldie wrote:

catgate wrote:

"......and kill thousands of wild animals and birds."

I think that is not particularly important.

The most important thing is just that they are cats.

The article is about Tigers though. You Tinkers trying to bring in the domestic variety. 

your header doesn't specify the size of the cat!!

It's about Tigers Dav, somehow we got on to puddie cats    I was teasing Pum

Quote :

Quote :

It's about Tigers Dav, somehow we got on to puddie cats    I was teasing Pum

Scroll back, dear. 

YOU started the digression - 
and then exacerbated it with that lengthy screed from the 'RSPB' (Really Stupid Pet Babblers ?).

yes she's definitely a digressor and an exacerbator

Should be transported to Australia - plus 600 lashes with the cat o' nine tails .....