Cats in spring: when two worlds collide in the garden

When the weather turns milder, many cats are eager to go outside – but that is precisely when two worlds collide in the garden.

With the first warm days, countless cats across German-speaking countries can once again be found pressed against windows and balcony doors. Every instinct urges them towards freedom, roaming and prey. For many owners, this simply sounds like a normal spring. Yet, at the same time, an extremely sensitive period begins in hedges, shrubs and tree hollows – one we barely notice, but during which every outdoor trip by a cat can have serious consequences.

Spring in the garden: when birds’ breeding season is in full swing

For most native bird species, March and April mark the most demanding time of the year. Pairs form, nests are built, eggs are laid and incubated, and young are later fed almost constantly. Gardens in particular become home to inconspicuous nurseries: deep inside a hedge, behind a downpipe, in a crack in a wall or within a tree hollow.

Many fledglings leave the nest before they can fly confidently. They may then appear helpless on the lawn, beneath a shrub or right beside the patio. To people, this often looks like an emergency, but in reality much of it is going according to plan: the parents are nearby, bringing food and gradually encouraging their young into denser vegetation.

“For birdlife, the weeks in March and April are a high-risk period – every additional source of stress can cost an entire clutch.”

At the same time, long-term ornithological data shows that many populations are under pressure. In some parts of Europe, around one third of common bird species have become noticeably less frequent over three decades. In certain places, entire sparrow colonies have almost disappeared. In such circumstances, every additional loss is like removing another block from an already unstable Jenga tower.

What cats really do outside in spring

A domestic cat’s hunting instinct is often not obvious indoors. It lounges on the sofa, eats high-quality food and purrs contentedly – yet outdoors it still becomes an intensely focused hunter. Food is of secondary importance. The thrill lies in the sequence itself: spotting, stalking, waiting, sprinting and grabbing.

Research projects that fitted cats with GPS trackers and small cameras have produced a clear picture. They show that many animals catch considerably more than they bring home. A large proportion of their prey is left in bushes. Estimates from countries with cat populations as dense as those in Germany indicate:

• Around two thirds of prey animals are small mammals such as mice or shrews.