Ring Necket Parakeets

[jamiewade94]

Originally Posted by Tormentil

Thousands!! Thats a lorra' keets.

Hmmmm....

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by GME

Yes, there didn't seem to be much in the way of conflict between them and any of the other birds. It was an interesting little report. We don't get any up this way though!

I am fairly sure that there were some in Cumbria, just South of Penrith, that had escaped from Lowther Wildlife Park (closed ages ago), but they may well have gone now.

[jamiewade94]

Oh OK

[wellies101]

Regarding the matter of "controlling" culling them or not I have to agree with those in favour of some means of control. We regularly get large numbers of RNP where I work in Feltham, Middx, and they dominate nest holes and any feeding sites where they are present. They also have massive impacts on industries such as fruit production (cider, orchards, etc) where, in large numbers, they can destroy 30-40% of the crop by taking the blossom.

How people can say they don't need controlling; and by that I don't mean a "mass" cull trying to eradicate them I mean regulalry removing "X" amount from the population and monitoring its response to the cull, is beyond me. This short-sighted view regarding the lack of evidence of competition with other species for nest holes and food is incredible. How can they not? Perhaps there has been a lack of study on this subject, I for example, have not seen an independant scientific paper on the matter?

Do they impact on bats? I know they have damaged Schwegler bat boxes so much that bats can no longer use them (grey squirrels do they same, but don't start me on them either).

Another interesting viewpoint is from that of a habitat manager (which I kind-of am). Imagine you needed to remove an large section of invasive alien plant species (rhoddedendron, japanese knotweed, etc.) from a particular habitat, there would be no hesitation in knocking it out. An alien species needs removing from a habitat, regardless of whether it is an animal or plant. Why does this opinion have to change because its an animal? They look nicer and have feelings carries no weight whatsoever I'm afraid.

I can understand why people find it diffcult to take my perhaps "hardcore" viewpoint, but I don't see why this subject can't be a bit more black and white. Habitat/countryside management is difficult and complecated at the best of times, not only in relation to ecology, but also the various bodies and departments that you need to go through to get simple things done. I think that sometimes simple works.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by wellies101

Regarding the matter of "controlling" culling them or not I have to agree with those in favour of some means of control. We regularly get large numbers of RNP where I work in Feltham, Middx, and they dominate nest holes and any feeding sites where they are present. They also have massive impacts on industries such as fruit production (cider, orchards, etc) where, in large numbers, they can destroy 30-40% of the crop by taking the blossom.

How people can say they don't need controlling; and by that I don't mean a "mass" cull trying to eradicate them I mean regulalry removing "X" amount from the population and monitoring its response to the cull, is beyond me. This short-sighted view regarding the lack of evidence of competition with other species for nest holes and food is incredible. How can they not? Perhaps there has been a lack of study on this subject, I for example, have not seen an independant scientific paper on the matter?

Do they impact on bats? I know they have damaged Schwegler bat boxes so much that bats can no longer use them (grey squirrels do they same, but don't start me on them either).

Another interesting viewpoint is from that of a habitat manager (which I kind-of am). Imagine you needed to remove an large section of invasive alien plant species (rhoddedendron, japanese knotweed, etc.) from a particular habitat, there would be no hesitation in knocking it out. An alien species needs removing from a habitat, regardless of whether it is an animal or plant. Why does this opinion have to change because its an animal? They look nicer and have feelings carries no weight whatsoever I'm afraid.

I can understand why people find it diffcult to take my perhaps "hardcore" viewpoint, but I don't see why this subject can't be a bit more black and white. Habitat/countryside management is difficult and complecated at the best of times, not only in relation to ecology, but also the various bodies and departments that you need to go through to get simple things done. I think that sometimes simple works.

The fact is these issues aren't black +white + in this specific case there's very little data to back any widespread damage despite quite a few people desparately looking for it!

[Chas]

I think you are not quite getting the point Aeshna, it isnt all about any damage caused or taking nest sites from other hole nesters etc. The fact is, they are not native to the UK and they are not here naturally and their presence here has changed the face of our natural environment. There is now a generation of people who have grown up with them and you just take their presence for granted as though it were a normal thing and even enjoy seeing them. All the while we have young educated people like yourself missing this point we don't stand a chance of putting things back the way it should be. You are articulate and well-read so why wouldn't all your generation agree with you you make a strong case. This distresses me more than I can put into words.

[Muggsy]

Originally Posted by wellies101

japanese knotweed,

Tordon

RNP will only be controlled by a private and silent few. Same as Magpies,Crows and Rats.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Chas

I think you are not quite getting the point Aeshna, it isnt all about any damage caused or taking nest sites from other hole nesters etc. The fact is, they are not native to the UK and they are not here naturally and their presence here has changed the face of our natural environment. There is now a generation of people who have grown up with them and you just take their presence for granted as though it were a normal thing and even enjoy seeing them. All the while we have young educated people like yourself missing this point we don't stand a chance of putting things back the way it should be. You are articulate and well-read so why wouldn't all your generation agree with you you make a strong case. This distresses me more than I can put into words.

I do get the point, but I don't necessarily agree with you. No they aren't native + shouldn't have been released but fauna + flora have been introduced by man since the human race arrived here. Some of the rarer introduced plants even have biodiversity action plans to conserve them! Yes some alien plants have caused great problems, eg. Rhododendron ponticum, Himalayan Balsam, but the vast majority are relatively benign; it's been estimated only 1 in 1000 exotic species that naturalise cause major problems.

Millions of non-native Pheasants are legally released annually + possibly impact on invertebrates, but because this is big money is forgotten. I'm very aware of some of the global problems that invasives have caused but we will never have a pure "British" fauna/flora. If we eliminated Rabbits some farmers might be happy but our biodiversity would suffer.

Living around London I see a large number of exotica + yet the place is richer than much sterile countryside around the country with both native + exotic species.

We will never agree on this, but our own species is by far the greatest threat to native species!

[Chas]

We will just have to agree that we dont agree and in the meantime Ring necked Parakeets are multiplying while we sleep!

[Adam Cheeseman]

I know this thread is on Ring-necked Parakeets, but has anyone noticed the other psittacines flying around, albeit in very much fewer numbers, that are surviving in our countryside? Budgerigars, Amazon Parrots, Macaws, Monk Parakeets (Isle of Dogs), and Lories to name a few.

Cheers,

Adam