{"id":3763,"date":"2017-01-07T20:02:47","date_gmt":"2017-01-07T20:02:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/?p=3763"},"modified":"2017-02-11T13:08:47","modified_gmt":"2017-02-11T13:08:47","slug":"alien-encounter-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturalbornblogger.co.uk\/?p=3763","title":{"rendered":"Alien Encounter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
\"Ring-necked<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Great to have an opportunity to visit a local woodland during daylight over the Christmas and New Year break.<\/p>\n

The unmistakable sound of Ring-necked Parakeets arriving shortly after\u00a0dawn has become increasingly common. Quite surprising to see them excavating a new nesting hole on 2nd January. With at least 3 pairs now using the wood it looks like the population\u00a0will continue to steadily\u00a0increase.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\"Ring-necked<\/a><\/td>\n\"Checking<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"Home<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Considered to be a naturalised, non-native species there’s little evidence of Ring-necked Parakeets affecting the local bird population. With a formidable bill excavating a nesting hole is a simple task.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere in Europe concerns have been expressed about them out competing Nuthatches for nesting sites however with the local Nuthatch population also increasing there doesn’t appear to be a problem. The arrival of Ash dieback is likely to guarantee a plentiful supply of dead wood suitable for excavating a nesting hole in for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n

With such an early start to nest excavation the only concern is whether there’s an effect on the Noctule bats that have traditionally overwintered in the same group of trees.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u00a0\"Ring-necked<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Surprisingly the parakeets haven’t attracted the attention of the local Sparrowhawks. Its not as if they’re difficult to find and with a pair of Sparrowhawks regularly nesting close by they’d be a relatively easy meal in particular for the larger female Sparrowhawk. Even the Crows and Magpies appear to give them little attention.<\/p>\n

Until anybody can provide evidence of a negative impact as far as I’m concerned they’re a welcome addition to the local birdlife.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\"DSC_0265\"<\/a>