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#1
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(V. long) Parrots in the Garden?
The legend is that these Birds come from a couple that were released from their cage onboard a barge that was sinking in the Staines/Wraysbury area. Indeed they were first noticed around the Wraysbury area and seem to have spread along the R.Thames from there. I myself have counted over 50 in one flock flying over my house. Populations of Indian Ring-neck Parakeets have been increasing for well over half a century. In pre and post WW2 years, they were imported into this country in their thousands. They were very cheap and countless unwary folks bought them in the hope of having a brightly coloured, talking bird. Unfortunately although Ring-necks are decidedly handsome and very elegant in flight, they are exceptionally noisy and unless hand-reared, make very poor pets. When wild-caught, the males are skittish and nervous, whilst the females are either moody or very bad tempered and prone to biting. As to talking, a few make be persuaded to utter the occasional word and occasionally you will come across one that is very talented. However they cannot match the ability of the African Grey parrot or any of the Amazon parrots. As a result, owners driven to distraction by incessant screeching and refusal of the birds to tame-down often let them go. Ring-necks are highly gregarious birds and nothing if not resourceful. Just a few in any one area will quickly find each other, form a small flock and if suitable nesting sites are present, establish a viable population. Hollowed out tree stumps and the old nesting holes of Green and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers are favourite in this country. Rarely, nesting boxes put out for other birds are utilised. This was observed and recorded by the late Duke of Bedford prior to his death in the 1950's and in one report he commented that it might be only a matter of time before they become a familiar sight in gardens. It may take a few decades before the population builds sufficiently to start colonising new areas, but that has been happening in southern England over the past 15 or 20 years. Populations in central London have been somewhat limited by the lack of suitable nesting sites, but those centred originally around Epping forest have expanded and started to move west. They have been reported in the New Forest and that is probably the extent of their expansion so far. Pairs or small groups have been seen much further west than this (Dorset, S. Devon & S. Cornwall) , but these are probably locally released or escaped birds. Year round availability of food, especially in the south suggests that they are here to stay. Their novelty value and attractive colouration means they are welcomed by many. BUT, if you are a keen fruit grower, you do not want them anywhere near your trees and bushes. They will gorge themselves on swelling buds and in winter, happily chew the bark on young shoots. Cabbages, Brussels and purple sprouting will also attract attention so a flock of 20 or 30 birds that are hungry can quickly decimate a small orchard or vegetable patch. Ring-necks are not the only parrots capable of establishing themselves in the UK and the soberly coloured Monk or Quaker parrakeet is the next species likely to establish. This is the only parrot to make a proper nest and so does not rely on hollowed out tree stumps or woodpecker holes in order to breed. A very small population exists here in south Devon and although local predatory birds (peregrines, sparrow hawks and owls) are keeping numbers down, they are just about managing to hold on. Quakers make good pet birds and are talented talkers, but have voracious appetites and can devastate orchards and vegetable patches. Dave Poole Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C. Growing season: March - November |
#3
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(V. long) Parrots in the Garden?
"Dave Poole" wrote in message ...(big snip) Ring-necks are highly gregarious birds and nothing if not resourceful. Just a few in any one area will quickly find each other, form a small flock and if suitable nesting sites are present, establish a viable population. No doubt that the sound of one will attract any other, we see it constantly at the Swan Sanctuary next to our allotments. There they have cages of unwanted/caught Love Birds, Cockatiels, Budgies amongst others, and we often see loose/lost ones flying in attracted by the sound of their fellows in the cages. They normally end up in the cages having been netted when they land on or next to the cage to socialise with members of their own species. What with the Parakeets flying around and these occasional other birds, as well as Trumpeter and Whooper Swans and various other Parrots/Mynahs from the Swan Sanctuary constantly making a racket, our allotment sounds more like a zoo than England. :-) Incidentally I remember pair of drab grey Budgies that used to nest on an allotment site in the Feltham, Middx. area for years around the mid 1950's. -- Regards Bob in Runnymede, 17miles west of London, UK |
#4
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(V. long) Parrots in the Garden?
On 16/7/04 6:52 am, in article ,
"Dave Poole" wrote: The legend is that these Birds come from a couple that were released from their cage onboard a barge that was sinking in the Staines/Wraysbury area. Indeed they were first noticed around the Wraysbury area and seem to have spread along the R.Thames from there. I myself have counted over 50 in one flock flying over my house. Populations of Indian Ring-neck Parakeets have been increasing for well over half a century. In pre and post WW2 years, they were imported into this country in their thousands. They were very cheap and countless unwary folks bought them in the hope of having a brightly coloured, talking bird. Unfortunately although Ring-necks are decidedly handsome and very elegant in flight, they are exceptionally noisy and unless hand-reared, make very poor pets. When wild-caught, the males are skittish and nervous, whilst the females are either moody or very bad tempered and prone to biting. snip I don't know if they fall into the parrot category but there is or was a flock of love birds living in the barn and eaves of a house in St Martin, Jersey. They came into my garden quite often and the first time I heard them I thought I was dreaming. I had a pair in a cage in our kitchen and couldn't understand how they'd ended up in a cherry tree! My ex-fil owned two lovebirds which escaped and I've often wondered if this small colony was founded, unintentionally, by him! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds after garden to email me) |
#5
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(V. long) Parrots in the Garden?
"Dave Poole" wrote in message ...(big snip) Ring-necks are highly gregarious birds and nothing if not resourceful. Just a few in any one area will quickly find each other, form a small flock and if suitable nesting sites are present, establish a viable population. No doubt that the sound of one will attract any other, we see it constantly at the Swan Sanctuary next to our allotments. There they have cages of unwanted/caught Love Birds, Cockatiels, Budgies amongst others, and we often see loose/lost ones flying in attracted by the sound of their fellows in the cages. They normally end up in the cages having been netted when they land on or next to the cage to socialise with members of their own species. What with the Parakeets flying around and these occasional other birds, as well as Trumpeter and Whooper Swans and various other Parrots/Mynahs from the Swan Sanctuary constantly making a racket, our allotment sounds more like a zoo than England. :-) Incidentally I remember pair of drab grey Budgies that used to nest on an allotment site in the Feltham, Middx. area for years around the mid 1950's. -- Regards Bob in Runnymede, 17miles west of London, UK |
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