Small birds numbers have been falling for quite a few years now despite generally milder winters. Can't remember the figures but yes cats are responsible for huge numbers of deaths and obviously loss of habitat is a major factor too. Recent figures show that cats caught 55 million birds although this does not include ones that weren't brought home or escaped only to die later. Also modern farming has had an impact for quite a number of years too. My father was a keeper for over thirty years and at his last job oversaw planting of many acres of woodland and hedging. We even planted Pampas grass to provide seeds, mostly for partridges but small birds get the benefit too. Despite improving the habitat it was his opinion that he was seeing a lot fewer small birds. During this time raptor numbers increased fairly significantly. Not saying they had a huge impact but if the numbers were increasing then it must have had some impact. Up to 98% of a Sparrowhawks diet is smaller birds ie sparrows, finches, tits, thrushes.
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Saw a dead peregrine - anything I should do?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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http://www.sebg.org/casestudies/langholm.htm
http://www.langholmproject.com/project.html
This is a good read.Posted 2 years ago # -
Peregrines tast **** all like chicken.
They're more like swan.
Posted 2 years ago # -
it's been a hard winter.
there are less songbirds about.
believe it or not animals do die of natural causes.Posted 2 years ago # -
Red Kites anyone eaten one ?
What do they taste like ?Posted 2 years ago # -
Not eaten a Red Kite, but baby wobins taste like cumberland sausage.
Posted 2 years ago #
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