BrandNewGuy

There's plenty of evidence that smaller birds are getting used to parakeets and don't see them as a threat. In fact, the perceived threat comes from them having curved beaks ? which most birds will see initially as meaning a potentially dangerous bird of prey.

That's a real shame. I know a couple of people who've lived there ? the squatters are mostly artists and musicians and I know they've maintained the place well and been good neighbours. A haven for impoverished creative folk who have precious few places to live in London these days.

Even without the light pollution, some species start singing through the night as the days grow longer ? robins and blackbirds particularly. The theory is that their ability to stay awake and sing heartily is a sign of their suitability as a healthy and fit mate. Much like the singaround at the Ivy House ;)

Yeah, sorry, that was me... [neither furry nor beaked]

They start singing in earnest once the days start getting longer. It's all about marking out territories and finding mates ? a bird needs both sorted out well before spring, otherwise it's another year of being single :)

Quite. You can't "clean" contactless transactions.

This really is shit news. I've lived in ED for 25 years and seen lots of changes and embraced most of the 'gentrification' of Lordship Lane and the area as a whole. And yeah, Brick House's bread wasn't cheap but they made wonderful bread that was nothing like the industrial crap that passes as bread elsewhere. Others have moaned about 'peak East Dulwich', but this news feels like peak East Dulwich to me. Coincides with me looking to move in any case. No way will I stay in SE22 ? why pay a premium for a postcode when the area is becoming more and more like a bourgeois dormitory town?

diable rouge Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It's Bob Buzzard's fault, I wouldn't mind but he's > a fooking construct! Bot Buzzard

Well, in that case there certainly aren't "loads" of them.

Yeah, right... From the RSPB: "Ring-necked parakeets are usually vegetarian in their natural habitat in Asia, but in Britain they are omnivorous, taking any kind of scraps available in urban and suburban environment. Ring-necked parakeets feed on a wide variety of fruit, berries, nuts, seeds, grain, household scraps, and even meat." No mention of predating kittens and mice.

I've often seen peregrines in summer flying around the Sally Army tower ? the adults use it to help teach the fledglings to fly and hunt. It wouldn't surprise me if a pair took up residence, as it's a perfect spot. Parakeets are definitely possible prey, but peregrines mainly go for the slower feral pigeons.

Ditto for Kapten. I've avoided Uber because of their poor practices for both drivers and the public. Kapten have addressed most of these issues, I believe, even though they're still part of the gig economy. Joined a couple of weeks ago and no complaints so far.

And the trees sold in the car park at The Plough are in aid of St Christopher's Hospice.

A friend has a spare ticket for tonight's game. PM me asap if you want it. Face value ?12.

The winner of the foil-clad cup competition...

You could try the DHFC Forum on Urban75. https://www.urban75.net/forums/forums/dulwich-hamlet-fc.93/

Yes, there are one or two jackdaws around, but they tend not to mix with the carrion crows. They're also very resourceful and will sneak about near the crows looking for food opportunities.

No, they're all carrion crows ? the 'regular' kind of crow. The fledgling crows take a while to get their dark black sheen, plus I've noticed quite a bit of albinism in the Peckham Rye crow population. There are several with a number of white and grey feathers. Someone I know has made a short film about these crows as they're a fascinating example of a species changing its behaviour relatively quickly in the face of changes in the environment. Traditionally in the countryside, carrion crows were relatively solitary birds, whereas rooks were the highly sociable kind. But as crows have moved into towns and cities, they've become more sociable (probably a good strategy for finding food and finding a mate) and have developed social hierarchies. This is just within the last twenty years or so, which is remarkably rapid. But crows, as has been said, are amazingly good learners and experimenters, so they've found a niche quickly and successfully. As you can probably tell, I love 'em :)

Esther Woolfson's book "Corvus: A Life With Birds" is a fascinating and funny book about making a home for crows (including a rook and magpie).

A litle further afield but a big shout out for LoveGift Vegan Cafe between Hither Green and Blackheath. Lovely home-cooked vegan Caribbean fare and a warm welcome: https://www.happycow.net/reviews/lovegift-vegan-cafe-south-east-london-57965

They're a bit useless at self-defence, but they are big and that will put off a fox. There are far easier pickings in south London than trying to hunt down a large and very feathery meal :)

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > What are the odds of there being tickets left over > for us ordinary joes? Best bet is to go to Saturday's home game v Bath City. Get there for 1.30, go and buy your FA Cup tickets in the bar and then relax with a pint or two before kick off :) Once the season ticket / trust members plus those going to the game on Saturday have bought tickets, I doubt there'll be very many going on general sale.

Bank card will be fine.

Yeah, I wondered about shareholders. Seems a shame that their commitment to the club doesn't give priority, though I suspect a large majority of them will also be season ticket holders and/or Trust members. It will be segregated. I hope not in the same way that it was for last season's Woking game, where they were given the 'Toilets Opposite' stand. I'm sure there won't be alcohol allowed outside the bar area, but tbc. Slight aside - as a shareholder (as well as a season ticket holder and a Trust member), I'm a bit concerned about the lack of communication in general from the club. We haven't had the AGM that was promised for July and there are lots of matters concerning the proposed development, finances etc about which we've heard nothing. I appreciate that the board and the club's officials have a lot on their plate, but it would be good to hear from them.

Full details are now available for how to buy tickets to the FA Cup game: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet/news/emirates-fa-cup-1st-round--how-to-buy-your-ticket-2480944.html