Sadly, I don't think so, HC. No sign of any ST activity in the area. The Dawn Chorus doesn't even include ST now, it's mostly blackbirds leading the choir. I wish some cat owners could consider how much work for a bird pair goes into rearing a brood.
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Pretty gutted reading that Sanch' - WAS hoping for a favourable outcome.
Woulda been superb "if" the rearing parents woulda fed the 'sole survivor'
Now, as for cats, we still have one in the house (taken-in as an 'abused' abandoned stray)
He's wonderful with other animals, but will confront both Humans & large dogs, aggressively !
He'll sit in the courtyard with various birds only a few yards away, literally & I'll be thinking 'Oh Jeeez'
But he just sits there, soaking up the sun, chilling & has NEVER killed another animal**
(Quite amazing, given he's fearless in a fight & absolutely dominant, locally)
Given I'm an animal-lover all round, my sympathies AND loyalties ALWAYS fall on the side of birds.
Back in the 1980's, my Church minister asked to borrow my air-rifle (to shoot his neighbour's cat !)
He had a very small garden, plus infant toddler children - Cat would defecate, toxins, etc.
I refused, repeatedly (that was almost 40-years ago), plus I believe it's illegal ?
I had issues with my (dopey, selfish), neighbour, who'd bought TWO new Jet-Black kittens.
They both grew up to be vicious/lethal killers, wiping-out our local bird population.
Unhappy with the 'inbalance' & naturally, inherently myself being on the side of birds....
I bought several high-powered catapults & kept a stash of pebbles near house/garden doors.
Managed to save the life of a beautiful male blackbird - was SIDEWAYS in the cat's jaws !
I scared the bejesus outta the nasty cat, who, then FLEW up my conifer tree @ 400+ MPH o
How the adult Blackbird went from 'sideways in the cat's jaw', to "liberated" was AMAZING :t:
Luckily he ascended/flew up to a neighbouring lamp-post, but hyperventilating, badly.
I watched intently, hoping he'd recover, which he did after some 12+ mins later.
Most cat owners ARE blithely ignorant & I can see as to 'why' Chris Packham "hates" 'em.
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