I've noticed a troubling situation in my garden: birds are mysteriously dying, and it seems to be happening consistently under a tree. They aren't hitting windows or anything like that. I'm concerned that it might be related to local cats hunting them, but I'm unsure. What steps can I take to investigate and resolve this issue?
3 Answers
It sounds pretty serious! There’s been a virus going around that’s been affecting a lot of blackbirds. Have you noticed what kind of birds are dying? It could be related to that. Also, keep an eye on the local bird population; if you're seeing fewer birds overall, that might be a clue.
I don't think it's just cats killing them, as they usually take prey elsewhere. This could be a sign of a disease or even poisoning, which is quite concerning. It might be a good idea to get in touch with a local vet or wildlife agency to see if they’ve received any reports or advice. And just a heads-up, if you find any dead birds, handle them with gloves and bag them securely.
You might want to reach out to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) because they have a project focused on monitoring garden birds and any diseases affecting them. They could provide some insights on what's happening in your area.