urmmmm

[epops]

far be for me to say but is this not a little bit of usual news paper scaremongering hype http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/n...A00%3A46%3A913

[Bucknallbear]

I keep hoping the buzzards might grab my mother-in-law's Dachshunds

[nightshade]

Most predators would think twice before taking on a cat (for instance) which could cause them damage, unless they were desperately hungry,I have watched a Vixen studying my own cats during a particularly severe winter and deciding on discretion
Eagle Owls do however take Buzzards

[Tobyh]

I guess it's not totally out of the question that it could happen in extremely rare cases but ..what a great way to stir up the eeejits to do something silly.

[Ukwildlifeo]

"Tendring Pets Reunited said they have are concerned about the number of reports they have received about cats mysteriously disappearing from homes next to farmland and fields. "

So nevermind the more likely fact theyve been shot for attacking the farmers livestock. Sounds like cat owner anti bird nonsense to me, like the sparrowhawk kills all the birds excuse

[Wild-Woman]

Kittens and puppies shouldn't be left unattended wandering a garden. Guineas and Rabbits should have secure Fox-proof runs. Problem sorted.

[ianrose82]

"A spokesman for the RSPB said: “It would be fairly unusual because buzzards tend to like things that are dead - they quite like earth worms for example"

Interesting statement from the RSPB.

[solus]

This sort of ignorant "blame the Buzzard/Red Kite/Peregrine" article really makes me cross! If you want to keep small pets safe - keep them indoors and that way the rest of us won't have to suffer their mess and damage either! "Disappearing" cats may have been shot, trapped, poisoned, killed on the roads or just decided they preferred to live somewhere else... stolen to make fur coats for all I know, but supper for Buzzards? I think not!

Next one - don't leave baby out in the pram because the Buzzard will snatch it away....

[Cotham Marble]

Very doubtful - but still there's a pleasing symetry about the notion of avians preying on felines.

CM

[Meta menardi]

Suggested solution to keep cats in at night? I didn't know buzzards hunted at night.

Pipestrelles?

[Adam Cheeseman]

Crusty old pensioner from a cat-loving group being an expert on birds of prey! Hmmm, unlikely methinks. Anyhow, why hasn't the rest of the country populated by Buzzards noticed a sudden drop in moggies?
I think the two replies at the bottom of the article sum it up really.

Still it would be delicious irony to think that a native species was wiping out a non-native introduced predator.

Cheers,

Adam

[mrs fish]

I once took a small kitten into a field to let it run about and either a crow or rook almost got it !!

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by ianrose82

"A spokesman for the RSPB said: “It would be fairly unusual because buzzards tend to like things that are dead - they quite like earth worms for example"

Interesting statement from the RSPB.

I noticed that - I hadn't realised that earthworms are considered dead as standard....

unless they're
well um
dead............

[Kayleigh]

I have seen a buzzards chasing live Rabbits on more then one occasion. So they do take live prey.

My sons cat was in his garden when a buzzard flew over and screeched, The cat got down as low as it could to the ground..

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Buzzards hunting at night

Buzzards are generally quite lazy birds and do tend to eat alot of carrion and young Rabbits, there is no way one could take an adult cat shame really

[Helo]

I don't understand when people make statements such as buzzards are 'generally lazy'.

What do you mean? How do you define 'lazy' in raptors? Why on earth would a raptor expend energy when it isn't necessary?

[Helo]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Kittens and puppies shouldn't be left unattended wandering a garden. Guineas and Rabbits should have secure Fox-proof runs. Problem sorted.

The voice of reason! Well said.