To be honest, while the cats are the *direct* cause of many bird deaths --
the bigger issue is the suburbanization and over crowding in traditional
population centers. More people = more cats = more dead birds. Modern
schools of thought in urban and community planning are crowding more and
more people into smaller and smaller areas. More people = less trees and
open spaces = less birds.

People who live on farms and on acreage have had 100% outdoor cats for
centuries and see very little if any decline in bird populations on their
land.

I live on acreage and have two 100% outdoor cats -- really working cats that
keep rodents and other damaging pests in check and out in the woods away
from the house. I occasionally find a few feathers but their impact on our
bird population is minimal. Our deck is full every summer with barely able
to fly fledglings of all stripes. Right now at this moment I am looking out
at junco, purple finch, black-headed grosbeak, and towhee fledglings in the
rhodies around the deck and the feeders. As well as my 20 lb. cat Tom
curled up asleep under the table on the deck.

So while cats are easy to blame -- I would hazard a guess that humans and
overcrowding are actually much more to blame for declining bird populations
than cats are in the grand scheme of things. If it was simply cats then
those of us "country folk" who own outdoor cats would see declines also.
Instead the decline seems to be mainly focused in urban and suburban areas,
which tells me there is more to it than just outdoor cats.

-Jamie Samans
Fall City

-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Tina Blade
Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2007 10:55 AM
To: 'ns johnson'; tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] neighborhood killer cat

Hi Tweets,
Given the threat that cats pose to birds, especially ground birds, I really
would like to see a law that requires cat owners to keep their cats indoors.


That might seem draconian, but given the recent data on the dramatic decline
of common birds, I think it's a reasonable step to take and not out of
proportion to the seriousness of the problem.

At the least, birders and birding organizations should be campaigning for
this.

(For the record, I myself am a cat owner with an indoor cat who is very
happy, healthy, trim, and content.)

Tina Blade
Kirkland, WA

-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of ns johnson
Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2007 7:44 AM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] neighborhood killer cat

Hi, Tweeters,

How do you all deal with a neighborhood hunter cat?
One that jumps your 6 foot fence, stealthily
approaches the shrubs near the feeders, lies in wait,
selects his prey, attacks swiftly and makes off with a
little passerine in his mouth. Yesterday I saw a pile
of grey feathers in the middle of the back lawn and I
knew he had returned for another successful theft. I
think I know who he is but I don't know where he
lives. A marmalade cat, he was very friendly and
sweet before I saw him get his first of my birds and I
started throwing rocks at him and chasing him off the
property. Now he's a sneak and I don't see him.

I have thought of netting all the shrubs he hides
under where the little birds like to run also.

Does anyone else have effective techniques?

I couldn't really ever bring myself to harm him - I
love cats and have 3 of my own who also enjoy bird
watching from the windows as they are not allowed out.

Thank you.
Nancy Johnson
near Echo Lake, Snohomish County



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