Remember the mysteriously exploding toads from a month ago? Some people speculated that birds might be causing the toads to explode.

It seems that the cycle of violence is continuing.

Headline Telegraph: Public called in to solve mystery of vanishing birds

Walkers and country lovers have been asked to help solve the mystery of a dramatic decline in woodland birds.

Research by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) found that nearly a third of woodland species have declined by more than 50 per cent in the past 30 years. Conservationists had previously believed that, unlike wetland and farmland birds, these varieties were increasing….

Theories for their disappearance include “subtle changes” in the number of invertebrates in dead wood, a decline in coppicing, and less management of woodland leading to trees cutting out light and killing off undergrowth. Other reasons could be the drying out of woodland due to increased groundwater extraction by water companies and an increase in the deer population, which strips out undergrowth.

A good detective will always consider who has the motive to commit the crime….