Green Parakeets in East Dulwich

[poppylucky]

I had a pleasant surprise walking home from work the other day, when i heard and saw, noisy squawking green parrot-like birds flying overhead in that lovely little park near Sainsburys in Dog Kennel Hill. They were gorgeous to look at, bright emerald green colour with a rose-red beak and they landed in one of the trees.

I was talking to a neighbour and she told me they were ring necked green Parakeets and are now breeding in flocks around the suburbs, including Dulwich and Peckham Rye Parks.

Has anyone else seen them in their gardens or area?

[PeckhamRose]

For years. They're featured regularly! Thank heavens for double glazing!

[genwilliams]

I haven't seen any yet, though I keep looking out for them. Brilliant birds.

[Alec John Moore]

Yep, we regularly see and hear them over our garden. I've even photographed them a few years ago eating the fruit on the old apple tree in our garden.

[Sue]

genwilliams Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I haven't seen any yet, though I keep looking out

> for them. Brilliant birds.

xxxxxx

Go to either Peckham Rye park or the woods up by the Harvester and you'll be very unlucky not to see at least one. You'll certainly hear them!

Though they're more easy to spot when the trees don't have leaves on :)

[SCSB79]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3869815.stm

[SteveT]

The ring necked parakeets are a pest which are not going to go away anytime soon, they attack the indigenous bird population are fast flyers and have hideously screeching calls.

They have become quite prolific breeders and have colonised much of this island in only a few years.

The fines for introducing pests of any variety of creature, are far too lenient in my opinion.

Birmingham town centre has masses of starlings which are a pest, but these parakeets could take over many towns in the future.

[The Minkey]

I haven't observed them attacking the other birds in my garden, though they will have a peck at anything trying to share a feeder, which is what they do to each other. When in competition for the fat feeder in the winter, the woodpecker soon sees them off.

They can be a bit screechy when alarmed or when flying overhead but they also make quite nice burbling noises when they're just hanging out in calm mode.

This is just my observation of course.

[The Nappy Lady]

Must say I quite enjoy them, they are so bright and have a lot of 'character' - would rather see them than starlings or pigeons it has to be said.

But, it is worrying to think they may be affecting some of our other indigenous species, and I know they are causing fruit farmers all kinds of problems. There was an interesting documentary about them on BBC2 a few months ago, explaining the variuos theories behind how they came to be loose in the UK, though no one knows for sure of course.

Molly

[ruffers]

Green parakeets, off the African Queen, eating our fruit.

Grrrr.

[poppylucky]

I did'nt realise they were regarded as pests, they look and fly so beautifully its a shame they are thinking of culling them. I wonder if there are any other exotic type birds breeding here in London?

[The Nappy Lady]

poppylucky Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I wonder if there are

> any other exotic type birds breeding here in

> London?

There are Poppy, they mostly dress like wags and push Bugaboos!

Tee hee, Molly

[kford]

Canada geese aren't native and they've pushed many indigenous wildfowl off lakes and ponds in just a few decades. Collared doves aren't native either.

[poppylucky]

Yes thats right Canada Geese are all over the place, they grow quite large and heavy (its any wonder they can fly....!) also very noisy, but make excellent intruder alarms and grass cutters : )

[Ellwood]

How long does a species have to be in the country to be considered native? Humans were once and invasive species to the land. Starlings in birmingham are a beauty to behold, considering their populations are dwindling in other parts of the country. Green parakeets aren't going to go away over night, and yes they were a 'released' species. but you know what, that's part and parcel of the way things are. Let them be, they are beautiful to behold, and who are we to say what can and can not live in britain.

[Michael Palaeologus]

Does anybody have recipe for Green Parakeet?

[bonniebird]

Ellwood Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> How long does a species have to be in the country

> to be considered native? Humans were once and

> invasive species to the land. Starlings in

> birmingham are a beauty to behold, considering

> their populations are dwindling in other parts of

> the country. Green parakeets aren't going to go

> away over night, and yes they were a 'released'

> species. but you know what, that's part and parcel

> of the way things are. Let them be, they are

> beautiful to behold, and who are we to say what

> can and can not live in britain.

Agreed I love them(tu)

[woofmarkthedog]

Our house...

..backs into a park, these birds have taken over the trees at the back this year ( last night about 30 ), they are very noisy & I don't see any woodpeckers or many squirrels come to think of it

What next I wonder "Marabou Stalks".....?

W**F

[SteveT]

Ellwood wrote:- yes they were a 'released' species.

So were mink,

and rhododendron which has become a plague for Scotland,

Japanese Knot Weed...............

Grey squirrels.

American Pitbull terriers.

If I had a magic wand I would remove them all, and some of their owners.

[flapjackdavey]

I'm with Ellwood . let the Parrots be . (tu)

[Michael Palaeologus]

Marabou Stalks - arent they chocolate straws? Feral ones would be fine in the winter, but not in the summer. They would melt.

[poppylucky]

I had no ides that Rhododendrons were considered a plague in Scotland! - they are so majestic and the blooms are wonderful, i can understand Knotweed, as that just takes over a garden once established.

I know they are starting to cull Grey Squirrels as i saw it on the news a little while back.

Its any wonder how these exotic species survive our harsh winter climate.

[mrure26]

They are in several areas around Britain. I saw them in the back garden last year. I read that they are originally from the Himalayas, and can survive easily anywhere but that they steal food from other birds etc.

[tarafitness]

There are loads in Brockwell Park, will have a look out for them in ED, I think they're lovely :-)

[Bluerevolution]

Just go the the cafe on The Rye, all the trees there are full of them