I would like to give credit to BFAB for the apparent success of their trapping and neutering programme, if, as stated by Alexandra Reck Royal Gazette March 2, 2001), there are less kittens available for adoption. I would also like to point out that the Bermuda Audubon Society is in no way anti-cat.

In fact very many Audubon members are cat owners. The executive committee of our society has met with members of BFAB and we found much common ground in trying to solve the problem of feral cats. We wish to promote responsible cat ownership and the neutering and spaying of cats at an early age.

I was surprised to read the letter from Alexandra Reck, who was at the meeting and I feel confused by her comments. Feral cats are only one of many feral animals that are having a serious impact on the environmental health of Bermuda. The Audubon Society is just as concerned about feral chickens, feral pigeons and the explosion in the population of red-eared terrapins in the wild.

Both Alexandra Reck and other letters highlight the many reasons for the decline in native animal species in Bermuda. Reasons such as habitat loss, urbanisation, pesticides, traffic, accidental and deliberate introductions of invasive and pest species. We should not be adding to these multiple threats by releasing non-native feral cats back into the wild once we have trapped them. Virtually everyone will have observed cats chasing moths, butterflies and flies. It is impossible to reconcile those observations with the statement by that 'feral cats do not waste any energy on recreational hunting'.

There is overwhelming documented evidence of the effects that cats have on wildlife. Interested persons can view much of this evidence on www.abcbirds.org (American Bird Conservancy). There is also a very interesting article in the February 2001 edition of BBC Wildlife, which documents the study undertaken by the Mammal Society. An estimated eight million cats in Britain are thought to kill 275 million creatures a year. In the study sample of 1,000 cats, very few rats were taken. An absence of feral cats in Bermuda is unlikely to cause a significant increase in the rat population.

Also, the amount of food given to a cat was found to make no difference to its kill rate. It is a myth that a well-fed cat hunts less. So what of the documented evidence in Bermuda? James Conyers' research on the endemic Bermuda skink discovered many skinks taken by cats. The skink is a critically endangered species and often difficult to observe. Dr. David Wingate has documented the fact that it is often the result of cats dropping dead skinks that alerts one to the existence of skinks in a particular area.

Birds killed by cats are well documented by many ornithologists in Bermuda and there have been infamous cases, including photo documentation, of cats getting a liking for Longtails. A number of the bird specimens in the museum collection are the result of bird kills. I have not read of any discredited studies of small mammals and birds killed by cats. Yes, the majority of prey items of feral cats consist of small rodents, but without any doubt, a large number of birds are killed, if not eaten.

Unfortunately, BFAB has been reluctant to provide details of the number of feral cat feeding stations or their location. It is therefore difficult to know whether there are more stations being operated than in the 1990s, how many stations are non-BFAB (where there is no trapping) or an accurate estimate of the feral cat population. BFAB state they have trapped and neutered 9,000 cats of which 8,000 have been put back into the wild as feral cats. This may well have reduced the breeding success of feral cats but simply attracts domestic cats, feral chickens and rats to the cat feeding stations.

It also provides a location for unwanted domestic cats to be dumped.

I am thrilled to see that Alexandra Peck has read our latest Bluebird Report.

It is well documented that the main causes for the population decline has been habitat loss and aggressive bird species, notably the House Sparrow. Cats do not climb up nest box poles, but as poor fledgling flyers, young birds of all species are most often killed by cats as they leave the nest. The Audubon Society frequently receives calls from distressed residents to this effect.

The Society recently ran a very successful Bluebird workshop at Government House attracting more than 50 people.

The need for biodiversity education in Bermuda is of paramount importance.

In this 'Year of Biodiversity Awareness' a great effort is being made to get the message across. Future generations face a poorer quality of life if we do nothing about the effect of feral animals on native populations of plants and animals.

Andrew Dobson President Bermuda Audubon Society Island has much to offer The following letter was sent to the Department of Tourism and copied to The Royal Gazette .

March 30, 2001 Dear Sir, It is with great pleasure that we write this letter. On March 23, 2001, we were married at St. Peter's Church in St. George by the Rev. Anthony Hollis.

We want to take this opportunity to tell you that we could not have had a better wedding at any other place in the world.

After the ceremony, we went into the square in St. George where E. Michael Jones, the town crier, made a proclamation regarding our wedding; our witnesses having been tourists from the USA who were delighted to have been chosen for this occasion. Everyone present at the church or at the square that day offered their congratulations.

During the rest of the week, we were approached at the Southampton Princess and in Hamilton by onlookers who remembered us from the square. It was just a delightful event and one which we will never forget. We are 73 and 67 years of age respectively and it will be a memory which we shall cherish. Bermuda has so much to offer, especially in its people whose attitude exude nothing but a positive outlook on everyone they touch. Thank you, once again, Bermuda.

STANLEY AND REGINA HARRIS Allentown, Pennsylvania No support, no more April 4, 2001 Dear Sir, From de dictionary bye. "transparent (tranz-par-ent); that may be distinctly seen through; pervious to light; clear''. Our Government is as "tranz-par-ent'' as de tint on our Premier's new Peugeot. Can only see out but don't dare let de masses see in. Used to be a supporter, not no more.

MAXIMUM TINT Southampton Don't be too quizzical April 5, 2001 Dear Sir, I am sure "Retired College Lecturer'' could find something more constructive to do with his or her time. To be critical of the quizmaster of the recently concluded School Quiz Competition is ludicrous. The fact that the Caribbean Sea graces the shores of some Central and South American Countries including Panama, says a lot. Come on Retired. Like so many others you swallow a cow but choke on a flea.

Joshua Richardson Pembroke