I AM sick and tired of marauding cats coming into my garden, threatening and decimating the garden song birds which frequent my little sanctuary.

I take great pleasure watching birds and am dismayed at the relentless killing of birds by neighbours' cats.

I know it is natural for a cat to hunt and kill, but it is unnatural to have such great numbers of cats in our urban areas.

This concentration is a great threat to our birds.

Mink are considered a nuisance and a threat to wildlife, so why do we tolerate wanton destruction by cats?

It is maddening to watch young birds being reared and almost ready for flight, then be taken one by one by a waiting cat. It is distressing for both parent birds and bird-lovers such as myself.

A cat is not just a loving pet that sits on your lap. Outside, out of sight of its owner, it is a cruel, merciless killer.

D James,

Huntington Road, York.

...DURING several recent walks along the banks of the River Foss I have seen children pelting the ducklings and goslings with stones. I also observed this last spring

These birds face many adverse factors in their struggle for survival but in my view human cruelty is the most sickening.

The groups of children range from primary school age to teenagers, they are mainly boys, but can include girls.

I appeal to anyone who witnesses this cruelty not to turn a blind eye to it.

This behaviour is an offence under the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981.

So, if you are unable to confront the perpetrators yourself, report them to the police.

V Lumley,

Dalguise Grove,

Heworth Green, York.

Updated: 11:09 Wednesday, May 28, 2003