Austria has seen the shocking decline in the number of birds in recent years.
Latest statistics show that over the last 15 years, the population of blackbirds, thrushes and sparrows has fallen by a third.
Reasons for the decline are intensive agriculture, the conversion of natural habitats to farming and the use of pesticides that kill the insects the birds feed on, or worse still poison the birds themselves.
Alongside the death of birds, over three-quarters of flying insects have disappeared in the last 27 years, which according to experts makes it small wonder that 24 of the most common 39 bird species have actually seen a decline.
Some argue that Austria has fared better than most, in France for example more than half of the birds have disappeared from the meadows and forests there.
Any right-thinking person who follows this through will find it tough to argue against the fact that eventually there will be no birds left at all, or if not only a few species that seem resistant to the ravages of man’s activities such as crows or pigeons.
It may be that there is a solution in the future, but everyone can extend their chance to help animals by getting involved in a small way.
According to Dr Yvone Wurz from animal rights group PETA who was speaking to Ananova.news, people should help birds to survive by putting up birdfeeders offering winter snacks to keep the birds alive in the cold, and especially when there is snow and they find it difficult to feed.
Most supermarkets sell a selection of winter bird feed, and dispensers can easily be obtained for the various types of food on offer.
She added that the loss of habitat, the use of pesticides and the growing number of monocultures lacking diversity in insect life could also be combated by people changing their habits and opting to either become vegetarian or to eat less meat, and also to purchase organic produce to make a stance against the use of foods grown with the use of pesticides.
She said: “Every person can make a difference, however small, and together they can make a big difference towards helping to solve the problems, for birdlife and insect life.”
