For many years one of my favourite wildlife locations has been two-storm wood in Richmond Park.

Set up after the great storms of thirty years ago and enclosed to keep out browsing deer, the wood boasts a variety of trees from saplings to the veteran 600 year old oak, still producing acorns at that great age.

Haunt of little owls jackdaws and a range of birds it has always been a place of great tranquillity and peace. But sadly, not any more.

On a visit two weeks ago, as we opened the gate, we were greeted by a cacophony of incessant yelping of rose-ringed (ring-necked) parakeets. There were dozens of the birds bickering, squawking, chasing and flying agitatedly from tree to tree keeping up a constant barrage of deafening sound.

Without doubt, they are the most unwelcome of all introduced alien species including the destructive grey squirrel and messy Canada goose.

By nesting early in the season parakeets take over nest holes of native species, cause havoc among fruit orchards and inhibit other bird song.

Bushey Park also suffers from the birds in the woodland gardens and the birds have also taken over some plane trees lining my road so I have to endure their frightful sound all day long too.

The RSPB have talked about a cull but with the parakeet population so high, it is difficult to know how the invasive birds can be controlled. However, certainly something needs to be done.    

For many years one of my favourite wildlife locations has been two-storm wood in Richmond Park.

Set up after the great storms of thirty years ago and enclosed to keep out browsing deer, the wood boasts a variety of trees from saplings to the veteran 600 year old oak, still producing acorns at that great age.

Haunt of little owls jackdaws and a range of birds it has always been a place of great tranquillity and peace. But sadly, not any more.

On a visit two weeks ago, as we opened the gate, we were greeted by a cacophony of incessant yelping of rose-ringed (ring-necked) parakeets. There were dozens of the birds bickering, squawking, chasing and flying agitatedly from tree to tree keeping up a constant barrage of deafening sound.

Without doubt, they are the most unwelcome of all introduced alien species including the destructive grey squirrel and messy Canada goose.

By nesting early in the season parakeets take over nest holes of native species, cause havoc among fruit orchards and inhibit other bird song.

Bushey Park also suffers from the birds in the woodland gardens and the birds have also taken over some plane trees lining my road so I have to endure their frightful sound all day long too.

The RSPB have talked about a cull but with the parakeet population so high, it is difficult to know how the invasive birds can be controlled. However, certainly something needs to be done.