Ironically enough, I've been out in the wilderness doing bird surveys, but just got back.
I miss all the fun.
As to this thread, domestic house cats are NOT a problem at all. Feral cats are. Yet I doubt the high number that this advocacy group claims.
As to the bird kill, most of the birds killed by URBAN feral cats are house sparrows (not a native species). But I have issues with rural (and remote) feral cats. They do prey upon our native wild bird populations. When they get into a national wildlife refuge, they truly do create real problems. But I know for a fact that many feral cats that do their "business" at a NWR are eventually killed or trapped by staffers. And quietly.
Thanks Flycatcher for all the information. I knew you would be the go to guy for some facts. Hope you had a productive, interesting time in the field.