Crossword Genius

Eastern birds by ditch catch things with bugs, say (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eavesdrop

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'bugs say' is the definition.
(I know that bug is a type of eavesdrop)

'eastern birds by ditch' is the wordplay.
'eastern' becomes 'e'.
'birds' becomes 'aves' (I've seen this before).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'ditch' becomes 'drop'.
'e'+'aves'+'drop'='EAVESDROP'

'catch things with' is the link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eavesdrop that I've seen before include "Listen secretly to others' conversations" , "Listen in, earwig" , "Listen secretly to a private conversation" , "Listen secretly to private talk" , "Listen to others' conversation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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