Kitties get a LOT – studies have shown(can’t quote actual ones right now) they have a significant impact on bird populations, which is worrying. There are more and more cats – feral ones, and pets – and people don’t think their sweet little kitty could or would catch birds, since they’re well-fed and all. Ha! Of all the cats that go out at all, probably at least 75% of them hunt at least a little. And if just those only caught 1 bird a year – that’s still a major amount. And it’s not just “nature’s way” – since humans are taking over more and more habitat, these are “extra” predators introduced onto the scene. We HAVE to limit our pets’ access to wildlife before many species of (our favourite) birds are extinct – a real “silent spring”. I know this because I have cats, who go out (on a limited basis), and one who DOES hunt very successfully – which I work to curtail. We all have the responsibility to limit this predation, though it isn’t always easy!….(And the snails in trees! OMG – that sounds just horrible!! My sympathies.)
They come they go, here in the deep south we’ve had a terrific renaissance in the populations of wild turkeys, cranes, eagles, hawks, and falcons.Meanwhile in the four legged varieties; alligators are actually becoming a nuisance again, bobcats are thriving, red and silver foxes are seen in pairs now, coyotes are a common sight, wolves get spotted occasionally, and there are even reports of panthers popping up.It’s a good era for critters in the wild now, but our cats have to stay in the house most of the time
Kitties get very few, Audubon Society likes to blame cats for the decimation of songbirds. Cats do catch rodents and many, many of them. Birds are alot harder to catch than rodents. While there are some cats who have mastered the technique of catching birds on the fly the vast majority of their prey is of the rodent variety.
As an aside, I believe cats should remain indoors for their own safety unless they are “working” farm kitties.
awwwwww Koko, I feel the same way too.It is not just pesticides. I read an article (wish I still had it) when the birds in the UK that fly south France and beyond are coming back in smaller numbers each year because of people who shoot them for sport, fun and plain being stupid and cats ! Especially cats let outside in the cities. Cats kill just for fun and enjoyment it is so sad. It was a “wake-up” article.
Silent spring was a book by Rachel Carson. She noticed one day that she wasn’t hearing songbirds, when in the past there had been many different songs of birdsShe was curious, and found out the birds had been dying out because they were eating bugs that had been sprayed by pesticides. She was instrumental in getting DDT banned, and other environmental stuff.When some of the pesticides had been banned, slowly the birds made a slow comeback. This kind of thing is still happening , like the oil well fracking is poisoning the drinking water that people use. I saw that water can become a so bad that it will catch fire, just like charcoal starter. The greedy are killing the earth! It can be turned around but not for long.
But DDT is still in use in many countries around the world. I disagree with you. Is it better to have no insect borne diseases, but to have no pollinators or birds left? That makes no sense.
@codedaddy‘Silent Spring’ is the name of the 1962 book by Rachel Carson that incorrectly blamed DDT for the decrease in songbird populations. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Spring
Silent Spring. The first big hit ecology book by Rachel Carson warning us of what was coming. It was what woke us up to the dangers of ddt. And no, ddt is still very bad and should still be banned, although the warming of the earth will make insect borne diseases more prevalent.We have managed to bring some species back by protecting them, witness the discussion about the south, but still, loss of habitat is a big, big problem, and climate change, because of green house gases, is going to be much worse. Already having it’s effect in Africa, the artic and the east coast of the United States (although not so drastically yet as northern Africa where millions are dying from drought).
Around here they spray pesticides to kill mosquitoes and thus all the beneficial insects die too. Dragonflies eat many mosquitoes, do you think the poison they shoot out of those guns affects only the mosquitoes?Birds who eat insects consume the poison as well.
bagbalm almost 12 years ago
Kitties get a few too.
siskando2 almost 12 years ago
Kitties get a LOT – studies have shown(can’t quote actual ones right now) they have a significant impact on bird populations, which is worrying. There are more and more cats – feral ones, and pets – and people don’t think their sweet little kitty could or would catch birds, since they’re well-fed and all. Ha! Of all the cats that go out at all, probably at least 75% of them hunt at least a little. And if just those only caught 1 bird a year – that’s still a major amount. And it’s not just “nature’s way” – since humans are taking over more and more habitat, these are “extra” predators introduced onto the scene. We HAVE to limit our pets’ access to wildlife before many species of (our favourite) birds are extinct – a real “silent spring”. I know this because I have cats, who go out (on a limited basis), and one who DOES hunt very successfully – which I work to curtail. We all have the responsibility to limit this predation, though it isn’t always easy!….(And the snails in trees! OMG – that sounds just horrible!! My sympathies.)
moe_the_cat almost 12 years ago
They come they go, here in the deep south we’ve had a terrific renaissance in the populations of wild turkeys, cranes, eagles, hawks, and falcons.Meanwhile in the four legged varieties; alligators are actually becoming a nuisance again, bobcats are thriving, red and silver foxes are seen in pairs now, coyotes are a common sight, wolves get spotted occasionally, and there are even reports of panthers popping up.It’s a good era for critters in the wild now, but our cats have to stay in the house most of the time
Chewiek9 almost 12 years ago
Come to my bathroom window at 5 in the morning. Tweet tweet.
rush.diana almost 12 years ago
Kitties get very few, Audubon Society likes to blame cats for the decimation of songbirds. Cats do catch rodents and many, many of them. Birds are alot harder to catch than rodents. While there are some cats who have mastered the technique of catching birds on the fly the vast majority of their prey is of the rodent variety.
As an aside, I believe cats should remain indoors for their own safety unless they are “working” farm kitties.
kirbey almost 12 years ago
awwwwww Koko, I feel the same way too.It is not just pesticides. I read an article (wish I still had it) when the birds in the UK that fly south France and beyond are coming back in smaller numbers each year because of people who shoot them for sport, fun and plain being stupid and cats ! Especially cats let outside in the cities. Cats kill just for fun and enjoyment it is so sad. It was a “wake-up” article.
Bargrove almost 12 years ago
Rachel Carson lives on. It was her bookthat killed DDT.
codedaddy almost 12 years ago
I don’t get the joke about “silent spring”. Apparently everyone else does or no one else wants to embarrass themselves by asking for help!
pam Miner almost 12 years ago
Silent spring was a book by Rachel Carson. She noticed one day that she wasn’t hearing songbirds, when in the past there had been many different songs of birdsShe was curious, and found out the birds had been dying out because they were eating bugs that had been sprayed by pesticides. She was instrumental in getting DDT banned, and other environmental stuff.When some of the pesticides had been banned, slowly the birds made a slow comeback. This kind of thing is still happening , like the oil well fracking is poisoning the drinking water that people use. I saw that water can become a so bad that it will catch fire, just like charcoal starter. The greedy are killing the earth! It can be turned around but not for long.
mesachie almost 12 years ago
But DDT is still in use in many countries around the world. I disagree with you. Is it better to have no insect borne diseases, but to have no pollinators or birds left? That makes no sense.
pabsfx-comics almost 12 years ago
@codedaddy‘Silent Spring’ is the name of the 1962 book by Rachel Carson that incorrectly blamed DDT for the decrease in songbird populations. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Spring
connie almost 12 years ago
Silent Spring. The first big hit ecology book by Rachel Carson warning us of what was coming. It was what woke us up to the dangers of ddt. And no, ddt is still very bad and should still be banned, although the warming of the earth will make insect borne diseases more prevalent.We have managed to bring some species back by protecting them, witness the discussion about the south, but still, loss of habitat is a big, big problem, and climate change, because of green house gases, is going to be much worse. Already having it’s effect in Africa, the artic and the east coast of the United States (although not so drastically yet as northern Africa where millions are dying from drought).
rush.diana almost 12 years ago
Around here they spray pesticides to kill mosquitoes and thus all the beneficial insects die too. Dragonflies eat many mosquitoes, do you think the poison they shoot out of those guns affects only the mosquitoes?Birds who eat insects consume the poison as well.