Huge flock of squawking parakeets descend on Kenley

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Monday, August 10, 2009
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This is Croydon

It looks like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's film, "The Birds", but in fact, this is quiet Kenley.

Around 100 bright green parakeets have flocked to Kenley Lane in their dozens, taking over residents' rooftops and making an impressively loud racket.

The exotic Indian ring-necked birds are thought to have come from nearby Kenley Common, and have been waking up the neighbours with their relentless squawking.

Student Candice Homewood, 23, said the swarm of feathery fellows, who descended last Friday, had been a bit of a shock.

"It was really crazy. I heard all this squawking outside at about 7am and looked out of my window and there were hundreds of them.

"There's a fruit tree next door and they were shredding all the flowers off it. It was like something out of the film The Birds, it was quite bizarre."

Ever since their mass appearance, Miss Homewood said the birds seem to be taking up permanent residence.

"They all keep on flying past the window, I saw one a couple of months ago, but nothing quite like this – there are loads.

"Apparently, they live for years and years, so if they're all breeding, we'll probably see a lot more and I might end up getting a few more early morning wake-up calls.

"There was one magpie trying to take them all on but he didn't have much luck, he was a bit outnumbered.

"They are really exotic looking, they really catch your eye."

Anne Sigee, a pensioner from Cumberlands, has lived in her street for 34 years and never seen so many parakeets.

She said: "They are a beautiful colour, you don't expect to see them all in your back garden.

"They are very nice, but you can really hear them."

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14 Comments

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by Del Boy, Peckham

    Thursday, August 13 2009, 5:53PM

    “I find a great big gun always helps”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by Mr.Angry, Purley

    Thursday, August 13 2009, 11:32AM

    “Beats-rabbit rabbit! Seriously though you have not heard anything until Australian kookeboro birds wake you each day at 4am.”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by ANNE, SELSDON

    Thursday, August 13 2009, 10:04AM

    “Thanks, jaya - I'll take a look.”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by jaya, selsdon

    Wednesday, August 12 2009, 11:26PM

    “The parakeets are already in Selsdon, they come over in smaller groups than this, though - about 4 - 8 usually. You'll find them in Littleheath Woods. A great improvement to traffic and people related noise.”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by misterkipling, croydon

    Wednesday, August 12 2009, 8:34PM

    “Say what you like, they're good eating !”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by nicola, thornton heath

    Tuesday, August 11 2009, 1:51PM

    “I was surprised to see some in the trees at crystal palace park the other day.Kids had a field day collecting feathers.”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by ANNE, SELSDON

    Tuesday, August 11 2009, 11:00AM

    “Still - the noise from the birds is a lot nicer than the sound of the usual DIY enthusiasts drilling and banging in the road below ours.”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by jackie, old coulsdon

    Monday, August 10 2009, 9:48PM

    “Yes they've been in Old Coulsdon for ages too. Noisy and seem to be multiplying quickly, there are more this year than ever.

    There are even more in Staines,Twickenham,Richmond Park,Egham etc etc.”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by Negative, The Cronx

    Monday, August 10 2009, 3:13PM

    “Should move the residents of Kenley to Thornton Heath for a week, then they'll know what its like to have something to complain about...”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by ANNE, SELSDON

    Monday, August 10 2009, 1:49PM

    “With a bit of luck they'll come and visit us in Selsdon.”

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