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Parakeets Over FH?

Author Message
Twitch
Joined N/A
Posted on Sunday, 06 June, 2004 - 10:34 pm:   

Has anyone else seen several parakeets (or some other squawking, green, long-tailed birds flying over the Hornimans area?

I've seen them a few times before, but they were very active over this weekend (5/6th June).

Does anyone know if these are escapees, breeding, and where they live? It would be a great thing to add to the Forest Hill portfolio, if a breeding colony got established here! Much more fun than say, osprey.
FT
Joined N/A
Posted on Sunday, 06 June, 2004 - 10:56 pm:   

Bill Oddie mentioned this on TV on Thursday evening. Apparently some parakeets were imported for a film made at Shepperton studios about 30 years ago. They escaped shortly afterwards, and ever since their numbers have increased dramatically though they're still only reported to be found in the South London area.
Ian
Joined N/A
Posted on Monday, 07 June, 2004 - 10:25 am:   

They seem to be spreading rapidly. There are large populations in the SE Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley and west in Richmond, for example. I have seen them north of the river in Dagenham but only in small numbers.
Kevin
Joined N/A
Posted on Tuesday, 08 June, 2004 - 08:34 am:   

they are native to Hither Green cemetary. Over 50 pairs breed there. When the colony outgrew itself a few years back about 12 - 15 pairs of green parrots flew to SE26 where they are now a permanant feature in the allotments between Kangley Bridge Road and Kent House.

I know because the damn things ate my runner beans last year!
Twitch
Joined N/A
Posted on Tuesday, 08 June, 2004 - 08:48 am:   

Oh dear - I wondered what they ate! :-(

Excellent info here thanks.
Pen
Joined N/A
Posted on Wednesday, 09 June, 2004 - 01:12 pm:   

I've seen them a few times around Honor Oak Road, and even thought I heard one this morning. I also see them regularly in Dulwich Park these days.

It's a shame about the runner beans, but parakeets are much more exciting than the ubiquitous wood pigeons, which do at least as much damage.
Liz
Joined N/A
Posted on Friday, 11 June, 2004 - 11:54 am:   

There is a parakeet colony at the allotments on One Tree Hill on Honor Oak Park. The guy who runs the alloments said they have been there for years.
Gilles
Joined N/A
Posted on Tuesday, 15 June, 2004 - 01:24 pm:   

Parakeets are great but don't get me started on pigeons!!!! (I know you haven't but err....anyway)

I love nature and animals in general (apart from snakes of course) but these virus-bearing-winged-poo-machines (and have you noticed how corrosive the damn thing is?? Alien's blood got nothing on these flying rats guano) should be exterminated.

I can't walk under any of this glorious city's bridges without running or recoiling in terror at the health and safety disaster-zone these things generate!

Yuk! Hate them!
BT
Joined N/A
Posted on Wednesday, 16 June, 2004 - 08:45 am:   

Doesn't help when the mini cab drivers waiting in Sainsbury's car park are throwing out food from their cars and attracting large numbers of pigeons.I even saw a rat coming out from the bushes and scavenging bits of bread a few weeks ago!
Les
Joined N/A
Posted on Wednesday, 16 June, 2004 - 09:30 am:   

I wasn't bothered, until their guano burnt holes in the paint on my car (to be fair I didn't wash it for weeks, but none the less...).

Having said that, the massive fat well preened ones around the Horniman are much nicer than standard central london ones. There's even some doves...
Gilles
Joined N/A
Posted on Wednesday, 16 June, 2004 - 09:51 am:   

Oh yeah these are fine (Wood pigeons). But I'm talking about the "town" ones. You know: 2 stumps for feet, black with dust and spreading their acid-like sh.. everywhere and preferably on my head.


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