Parakeets - Friend or Foe?

I'm sure you're used to seeing - and hearing - the local parakeet population as they go about their daily business over the skies of New Malden.

According to a feature in last week's ES Magazine, there are around 50,000 ring-neck parakeets inhabiting the parks of Kingston, Brixton, Peckham and Greenwich, apparently descended from a pair released by Jimi Hendrix from Carnaby Street in 1969 as a peace gesture.

However, Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) aren't so fond of the brightly coloured birds, and is in the process of 'trapping and rehousing' the UK's small population of monk parakeets. This is because they apparently have the 'potential to threaten the national infrastructure'!

And if they don't manage to catch the birds, there is even talk of exterminating them. The monks have not yet caused any damage but in the US they have been known to plunder crops, while ring-necks have been known to strip a vineyard in hours. Not that we have any vineyards in New Malden!

I personally like the fact that these birds have made south-west London their home, but what are your thoughts - are you for or against the parakeet population? Let us know!