Eleven people attended the Friends of the Shuttle Danson Park Parakeet count on this sunny evening (Feb 17th), tallying some 2,125 birds into the roost area on the north side of the lake.
Ring-necked Parakeets flying into the Poplars where they spend the night. (Photo: Chris Rose)
Participants came from FotS, Bexley RSPB, BNEF and Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve.
With the waters of Danson lake flowing into the Shuttle in Bexley Park Woods, FotS is taking an increasing interest in Danson Park, which lacks a hands-on environment group, and is currently developing a programme of wildlife events to be held here across the rest of the year. February 24th will see Bexley RSPB hold a free bird-watching walk in the park, which will cater for beginners and those who want to improve their knowledge, as well as more experienced people who may not have previously looked at what Danson has to offer. Follow our calendar page for details.
There were about 60 Pied Wagtails roosting in the Oak outside Carpetright near Bexleyheath Clocktower tonight.
I am extremely concerned about the severe decline in numbers of the, what used to be, common birds, such as Sparrows, thrushes and blue tits, etc, in the Erith, Bexleyheath areas of the Borough. I am staying with a relative for 3 while, in Erith, and filled up the bird feeder with bird food, last Monday, and have not seen ONE SINGLE bird on the feeders, since then. I know there are a huge number of parakeets in Bexley, now, but have they caused this severe decline, I wonder, and is anything being done to address this major inbalance? Also not heard any birds singing of a morning!!!
Hi Jeanne,
It is unlikely that the Ringnecks are causing the declines in other birds that you have seen locally. It is possible that they are affecting the nesting opportunities of some species by taking nest holes that might be used by other birds, but I don’t think this has been firmly established.
I have Ringnecks and a full range of other birds using the feeders in my suburban garden in Sidcup and they are clearly not causing a problem with birds feeding.
I hope you persevered with he feeding in your garden. I expect it is just a matter of time for birds to find your food source then you should be getting visitors.
Birds do need a range of suitable habitat to have reasonable numbers including nesting sites, water and food. Anything you can do will help them and hopefully encourage others locally too.
Regards
Jonathan Rooks