Ring-necked Parakeets

[rlchew]

Have any WAB members seen a Ring-necked Parakeet?

My usual site for these "exotic" birds is Northdown Park near Margate in Kent and I have to say that I do find them attractive and interesting birds to watch.

Here is a photo of one that I took last year ....



It seems that DEFRA and the RSPB now have concerns regarding the expansion of Ring-necked Parakeets and their possible impact on native UK birds.

Some of you may have heard on the London/south east local TV news that a study has been commissioned which may result in a cull.

More press information here ....

Suburban parakeet 'pests' face drastic cull

Population boom puts parakeet invaders on the hitlist

Invasion of the parakeets

I guess we wait and see whether yet another "exotic" species introduced by man is made the subject of a hit list implemented by man.

Richard

[Za]

I see lots of them every day when I`m at work in Surrey, very noisy birds! You hear them long before you see them.

[aeshna5]

Despite all the scaremongering by the media at least the RSPB admits that at present there appears to be no direct evidence of decline of native birds because of the exotics. It's important that the situation is carefully monitored. At Richmond Park where there are hundreds of these birds, as I've mentioned on another thread, despite a great increase in RNP, none of the other hole nesters have shown a decline, some a small increase.

I think the RNP will increasingly come into conflict with growers + will no doubt be culled as are Wood Pigeons, corvids, rabbits, deer, etc. Control in suburbia will be difficult by shooting- probably the only viable option.

In last few years there has been a concerted effort to cull Ruddy Ducks with to date over 2000 birds shot, yet they are still doing ok with breeding birds topping up numbers again, though there has been an overall decrease in the population. It's estimated that the cost has so far worked out at over £6,600 per bird culled (from Birdwatch magazine). I'm sure that money could be better spent- a controversial topic I know.

I think eradication of RNP would be extremely difficult, expensive + unpopular with many, but as with many organisms some control may be necessary.

[dbozkurt]

I look on these birds with affection. I originate from Surrey and on the sad occasion of my mums funeral we drove up to the cemetary along an avenue of trees and what bird lined the route but the Ring-necked Parakeets. It helped!

I hope they get left in peace....with temperatures hotting up in the South whos to say more 'exotic' birds not normally seen on our shores turn up under their own steam.

Debs

[Toby]

I don't see why they shouldn't be left alone, there's only one species that needs culling round here- the motor car!

they feed at my window in Richmond:

[zharca]

Wow - in your garden!

I also live in Surrey and they are at the lakes at Merstham about two miles from home and also at the Sevenoaks reserve. There might be question marks that need to be resolved over the effect they're having on other birds, but to see a "parrot" in the English countryside does make you smile!

We were at Sevenoaks a couple of weeks back and as I was getting into the car a medium-size, pointy-winged bird flashed across in silhouette against the sun. Got really exited - was it an early cuckoo? Nah. Green.

[rolf]

Unfortunately the effect of artificially introduced species on native species may not always be noticed until well advanced and the population of the alien species is so huge as to make controlling it a near impossible task.

The Red Squirrel was gone in many regions before we knew it, all due to our lack of timely action on its grey cousin, the Coypu was finally eradicated in 1989, some 60 years after its introduction and untold harm to many native riverbank dwelling species.

I don't like the idea of culls, but in some cases they may be unavoidable.

[brainfarmer]

culling rarely works as a method of completely removing an introduced species, certainly in the case of small fast breeding animals and its dubious even as a form of control. you can look at signal crayfish through to grey squirrels. i think we are far too quick to decide to kill things rather than accept animals populations will change some species will do better some wont. it becomes fashionable to see animals as pests so the grey squirrel is now seen as the reason for the reds decline even though greys have been here for over a hundred years.
you can also see this with native species like badgers even in area were they are killed to supposedly control bovine tb its doubtful wether the reduction in badger numbers is sustainable (before anyone says i am against badger culling).
ok sorry for ranting.

[Oscar2006]

Have seen them on several occasions in the Kent and Surrey areas.
There is or at least used to be a huge roost of several thousand at Esher Rugby club

[aeshna5]

There still is a roost at Esher but is smaller now as smaller satellite roosts have occurred elsewhere. The max. count was 6,000+.

There's a rough estimate of 30,000 birds around London + so far there's no real evidence of negative impacts on other species, though that might possibly change as the population continues to expand with no natural predators- time will tell!

I suspect as they expand into crop growing areas- be it vineyards, orchards, maize- they will be considered a pest + will probably be shot in the same way as Wood Pigeons + Rabbits are when they ravage crops. I think eradication would be difficult( + perhaps not desirable) given the current preference for suburbia.

Personally I do enjoy watching them- but accept there may be a need in the future for population management.