Sir David Attenborough’s BBC1 series, Secret Gardens, has shed light on the dangers posed by Britain’s cats
The UK is a nation of cat lovers(Image: kelvinjay via Getty Images)
Britain has a flourishing population of over 10 million pet cats, and it’s safe to say we love our feline friends. However, with such a large cat population comes certain risks which pose a threat to another beloved species.
Sir David Attenborough’s BBC1 series, Secret Gardens, as part of the legendary naturalist’s centenary birthday celebrations on the BBC last year. In the programme, the iconic natural historian said: “Across the British Isles, there are magical places, our gardens. Each is home to a cast of remarkable animals.”
He described the captivating character of our gardens, noting: “Some British gardens are almost as diverse as tropical rainforests.”
“Our gardens cover a greater area than all of our national nature reserves combined.”
Sir David shared that Britain’s cats has been estimated to kill around 55 million birds each year across the UK(Image: BBC / Plimsoll Productions)
The series saw Attenborough visiting five distinctly different gardens across five separate locations throughout the UK, with the findings from his latest programme proving particularly revealing.
The BBC’s most celebrated presenter disclosed that Britain’s large cat population has been estimated to kill around 55 million birds each year across the UK, as previously reported on Wales Online.
While he certainly didn’t vilify cats, Attenborough suggested a way in which we can ensure our beloved felines cause minimum damage to garden birds, and the solution couldn’t be more simple and glaringly obvious.
So, what simple yet practical steps did Sir Attenborough suggest cat owners take to cut bird deaths?
To reduce cats’ “hunting success by a third”, Attenborough urges cat owners to think about attaching a bell to their pet’s collar, so that gardens can stay safe havens for all wildlife, including birds.
Something as basic and inexpensive as a bell can give birds a crucial alert that predators are close by, substantially reducing the chances of a successful attack.
Another handy tip to stop cats from hunting unsuspecting birds is to bring our four-legged friends indoors during critical times, such as dusk and dawn, when birds are at their most active.
These periods happen to overlap with optimal hunting time for cats, but it may well be worthwhile making this small change and keeping pets inside during these times, so that other innocent creatures don’t unnecessarily become victims to their instincts.
One additional highly recommended, expert-endorsed step is to place bird feeders substantially higher up, well beyond reach of prowling pets – and at least 2 metres away from dense vegetation.
While thick shrubbery can provide birds a quick escape route, it can equally function as a hidden ambush point for feline hunters, making it sensible to avoid positioning bird feeders directly next to dense foliage.
Moving feeders to higher positions and greater distances from potential jumping-off points — such as decking, fences, planters or anything else that could act as a launch pad — will substantially decrease the likelihood of cats and other crafty wildlife treating your garden as hunting territory.
Another valuable recommendation is changing to enclosed bird feeder designs, which provide an extra level of security for vulnerable birds while they visit your garden.
These low-effort but remarkably successful modifications can turn your outdoor area into a true haven for wildlife.
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