SEVERAL people have blamed hawks and cats for the demise of birds from our back gardens.

I have lived in the county all my life and have not seen one cat with a bird in its mouth. Where are all these cats that are killing these birds? They are not in North Yorkshire.

Bill McGuire, of St John’s Chapel, wrote to say the problem is as a result of the disappearance of the insects that fledglings in the nests rely on for food (HAS, Sept 23).

He said the fledgling cannot eat seeds and nuts, these things would kill then, which I think is true.

The young birds are dying in their nests, which is why the experts are baffled as to the demise of birds.

It has nothing to do with cats or hawks.

C Mitchell, Thirsk.