Sitting down to a nice evening meal outside when a flock of parakeets flew overhead must have been 50+ with the raucas calling going to the local park to roost for the night . whilst i know they are now all around london within the m25 ring just how far have they now got. Has anyone seen them for the first time this year /? Are they the new "grey squirrels" of the future (well not so new as they have been around for 20+years) It seems the population has exploded in the last 10 years or so tho ilan
parakeets how far are they now ?
- Thread starter ilan
- Start date
-
Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
There have been Green Parakeets around my way (Putney, London) for the last 25 years or so and they are doing really well.
Hi yes i remember the one in edinburgh think it was an escapee however this lot in london are well established from kent to essex middlesex and surrey Just wondering if they are spreading or still contained within a defined urban area ? perhaps the open country does not provide sufficiant food, thro the year for them . ilan
We have seen two on the Isle of Wight, but on the outskirts of a medium sized town.
I seem to recall a news article saying they were now considered an indiginous species in the UK.
I seem to recall a news article saying they were now considered an indiginous species in the UK.
There's a big group of green parakeets that hang out around the pond in Dulwich Park here in sunny South London. Seem to be doing alright....
Wat parakeets are you talking about?
Here in brussels, there are about 7000 ringnecks (Psittacula krameri). They are now considered to be only slightly in competition with native bird species as they feed on lots of types of feed and specifically go for exotic tree seeds the other birds do not use.
Here in brussels, there are about 7000 ringnecks (Psittacula krameri). They are now considered to be only slightly in competition with native bird species as they feed on lots of types of feed and specifically go for exotic tree seeds the other birds do not use.
Yes thats the ones ring necked. Thought they were fairly aggressive to other specis I was not sure if they can only survive with a good supply of "Artificial" bird seed, ie can only live close to or in large towns where people have bird feeders full of exotic foods.
Thy ave been thoroughly studied here. They nest and stay in the city, but roam into the suburbs to forage. The botanic gardens are among their favourites. I see them often high up in planted pine trees. When in danger they roost in high places. That's why in winter during snow storms (rare) some drop frozen stiff out of the trees.
Yup! Plenty down here around Reigate. We live on a dairy farm out of town and get a few in the garden most days. I believe there are alot Richmond Park too.
I saw a greenish bird flying about Greenwich a few weeks ago making
a very distinct call, but I didn't get a chance to see it in detail and (oops)
rather forgot about it. While staying at my parents' house this week (in
North London) there's been some sort of animal making similar high
pitched noises in the neighbours' garden.
My dad tells me it's one of the 'Middlesex parakeets' - and I thought he
was pulling my leg but the BBC did an article about the wild parrots in
London: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3869815.stm
Thinking about it, I'm fairly sure the green bird in Greenwich was a
parakeet or a parrot - I just hadn't expected to see one so didn't really
believe my own eyes hehe.
Jo
a very distinct call, but I didn't get a chance to see it in detail and (oops)
rather forgot about it. While staying at my parents' house this week (in
North London) there's been some sort of animal making similar high
pitched noises in the neighbours' garden.
My dad tells me it's one of the 'Middlesex parakeets' - and I thought he
was pulling my leg but the BBC did an article about the wild parrots in
London: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3869815.stm
Thinking about it, I'm fairly sure the green bird in Greenwich was a
parakeet or a parrot - I just hadn't expected to see one so didn't really
believe my own eyes hehe.
Jo
I've seen them around Heathrow but not up where I live (South Herts). I've heard tales of them around this area but I don't think there can be many.
I lived in Twickenham for 2 years and didnt see or hear about them, but moved a couple of miles up the road to Teddington near Bushy Park and saw thousands of them.
It was suprising how few people even noticed them who had lived there all their lives (city folk eh). But since then I was fascinated.
Apparently they originate from the Himalayan foothills, so can cope with British temperatures. They do not cause too much competition with native species (at the moment). But I do remember being sat under an old oak with a friend when a magpie had a fight with two parakeets and saw them off. I kept a couple of the feathers and they were bright green with a sheen of magenta.
In answer to the thread they are considered an established species and now appear in British bird books with quite a wide range.
It was suprising how few people even noticed them who had lived there all their lives (city folk eh). But since then I was fascinated.
Apparently they originate from the Himalayan foothills, so can cope with British temperatures. They do not cause too much competition with native species (at the moment). But I do remember being sat under an old oak with a friend when a magpie had a fight with two parakeets and saw them off. I kept a couple of the feathers and they were bright green with a sheen of magenta.
In answer to the thread they are considered an established species and now appear in British bird books with quite a wide range.
as far as i know to the north of London in the chilterns, the first release area of red kites in the uk and the largest established population in the uk there are no green parakeets i would think that our birds of prey that hunt on the wing would not think twice before taking a bird of that size. the green parakeet has been on my to see list for quit some time but i've not had the info or time to go an see this most attractive looking and interesting feral bird.
Some years ago a friend took me to Wraysbury which is near Slough. We explored of piece of abandoned parkland quite near the Thames. The flock of Parakeets living in the trees there was surprisingly large (at least 150+) The trees had a very different shape owing to the Parakeets dressing all the tips of the branches to a thickness of your thumb, making the crowns semi stunted. They have been classed as an indigenous species for some time.
They are probably much further up the river but I certainly saw some in Marlow this year. They have a very recognisable flight pattern. I am not sure that I would want them too near our woods owing to their destructive habits but they are fun to see.
Swyn.
They are probably much further up the river but I certainly saw some in Marlow this year. They have a very recognisable flight pattern. I am not sure that I would want them too near our woods owing to their destructive habits but they are fun to see.
Swyn.
I have seen these rose ringed parakeets a few times before, but not here in horsham. Mostly around the river mole area in surrey. I once saw a group of them attacking a heron that was flying past, indicating they are territorial as well.
They are now classed as a British bird, infact, I have heard them being described as Britains most colourful bird (don't know what the kingfisher would say about that). They were introduced into this country from India in the 1960's and are doing really well over here, much to the annoyance of soft fruit farmers........
They are now classed as a British bird, infact, I have heard them being described as Britains most colourful bird (don't know what the kingfisher would say about that). They were introduced into this country from India in the 1960's and are doing really well over here, much to the annoyance of soft fruit farmers........
I think they originated down here around the Queen Elizabeth reservoir in Molesey. We used to get twitchers lining the Walton road. Last year was one of the worst I've known, they used to congregate near the house and they were very very noisy, very ealy in the morning. They'd all fly over going towards the east twice a day at about 4pm.
I wondered if they have been culled because we haven't noticed them so much this year.
It's the starlings that are waking me up now...
I wondered if they have been culled because we haven't noticed them so much this year.
It's the starlings that are waking me up now...
