Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) are the only parrot recognised on the british list at this time. Its unclear where they came from but a large feral population has developed since the 60's in and around south-west London. I regularly see them in the Richmond area (often in Kew Gardens or the London Wetland Centre) and they can be seen flocking to roosts in the evenings.
These were flocking around feeders at the London Wetland Centre and they look absolutely ridiculous playing in birch trees in the dead of the English winter. There is some concern that they may become an agricultural pest or push out other cavity nesting birds like Little Owls and some people find them aggressive at bird tables and feeders but you cannot deny they brighten a cold winters day.
2 comments:
Amazing! We lived in St. Margaret's when we were post-graduate students at Imperial College (1961-63). We did all our shopping in Richmond and walked across Richmond Common every day to get to the underground. Our regular Sunday walk was past Isleworth Ait to Kew Gardens. I remember numerous herons in the trees on the aits in the Thames. But I never would have thought to look for parakeets.
I love your photos and enjoy your blog. I'll look forward to news from my homeland. -- Pam
Hi Pam - glad you're enjoying the pictures; I've only just started the blog so its nice to know someone out there is reading it!
The parakeets have exploded in numbers recently but are known to have been around since the 60's one theory is they were turned loose after a jungle based film was completed at a studio here in London!
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