Bird life in Waterlooville.

[Norm B]

I heard a strange bird calling in my garden yesterday and saw a green parakeet with a red beak feeding on my feeding station. It hung around for about an hour then disappeared, probably due to dusk falling. This morning while I was having breakfast it came down onto the feeder holding the sunflower hearts and fed there until the squirrel disturbed it. I thought that was it but an hour later it returned to feed on the peanuts. I assume it's not an escapee as not read anything on local Facebook so it's probably migrated west from London or Kent. It would be nice if we had a pair locally as it would add a bit of variety to the local twitchers' view.

[Ken L]

I've seen three in and around Birmingham.

There are a couple of known hotspots (Sandwell Valley and Shard End) in Brum, but none of the sightings were there.

As you observed, you tend to hear them before you see them - and as they are pretty common in India, I knew what I was hearing straight away.

[chesters1]

On 2/8/2024 at 3:17 PM, Norm B said:

I heard a strange bird calling in my garden yesterday and saw a green parakeet with a red beak feeding on my feeding station. It hung around for about an hour then disappeared, probably due to dusk falling. This morning while I was having breakfast it came down onto the feeder holding the sunflower hearts and fed there until the squirrel disturbed it. I thought that was it but an hour later it returned to feed on the peanuts. I assume it's not an escapee as not read anything on local Facebook so it's probably migrated west from London or Kent. It would be nice if we had a pair locally as it would add a bit of variety to the local twitchers' view.

They are very destructive ,i remember at about 10 3 of them used to terrorise my dads pidgeons

[BoldBear]

They’ve been a fairly common sight in the gardens and countryside around me in Hertfordshire for several years now. Sometimes they become scarce and at other times you see them every few days.

Sometimes there’s about eight or ten of them sitting in the tree at the end of my garden.

They damaged one of my nut feeders beyond repair and I’ve had to use a squirrel and large bird proof nut feeder to try and prevent them damaging that too.

They also occasionally feed from one of my unguarded seed feeders as well.

Keith

Edited February 17 by BoldBear

[Norm B]

On 2/9/2024 at 5:46 PM, chesters1 said:

They are very destructive ,i remember at about 10 3 of them used to terrorise my dads pidgeons

I remember a few years ago that the RSPB or English Nature wanted them culled because they are not an indigenous species, there was an uproar against it but I don't know if it went ahead. Not seen ours today, not sure if it's the weather or if a sparrowhawk has got it as it would be an easy target.

[chesters1]

They certainly cant hide as easily as a sparrow

[Norm B]

On 2/9/2024 at 5:46 PM, chesters1 said:

They are very destructive ,i remember at about 10 3 of them used to terrorise my dads pidgeons

I now have VERY robust feeders due to an earlier squirrel problem which has been almost eliminated with my Webley Mk3 .22. We now have a regular pair with the odd outsider visiting occasionally.