I WAS saddened, yet not surprised, to read that much of Dorset’s wildlife now faces extinction (Daily Echo; May 23rd).

However, while the latest official report highlights threats to local heathlands, grasslands and coastal areas, I would like to stress that urban areas are also being devastated on a daily basis.

Thirty years ago, I moved into a small Poole bungalow and planted numerous small trees that I had rescued from the derelict Pitwines gasworks site, where I was working for Southern Gas at the time. These have now matured, and along with two ponds, supported a wonderful oasis of wildlife, including many rare species.

Throughout the year, there was always something fascinating to watch, and the air was filled with birdsong.

Tragically, my garden is silent now, and I often don’t even see a bird for days.

The reason? The constant presence of at least four local cats that have either killed or scared off all my little friends, leaving just the dismembered corpses... and cat poo, of course.

Despite festooning my boundaries with netting and using all the usual repellants, I still cannot keep these ‘alien invaders’ at bay, although an unwelcome side effect of my uprated defences has now also been to exclude the harmless visiting foxes and badgers that I used to enjoy watching and feeding. I’m sure these cats’ owners will read the headlines about ‘wildlife extinction’, yet still not comprehend that it is their ‘little darlings’ that are significantly responsible.

NIGEL BRYANT, Haymoor Road, Poole