VIDEO: Exotic parakeets 'scare away crows' (From Your Local Guardian)
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Exotic parakeets flock to Mitcham and 'scare away crows'
1:40pm Monday 18th July 2011 in Video By Omar Oakes
Flapping hell: About 20 parakeets flock to Dereck Akehurst garden in Mitcham every morning
A flock of ravenous parakeets have wrought havoc in a pensioner’s garden.
Dereck Akehurst, of Chalkley Close, Mitcham, said the exotic parrots, which are native to India, have descended on his bird feeders since March and now number as many as 20 every morning.
The 67-year-old retired milkman said the birds get through a whole 10kg bag of peanut kernels every week and have decimated the top of his pear tree on which they perch.
Mr Akehurst said: “It’s hard to believe this is Mitcham. I can even sit in the garden now and they take no notice of me.
“They’re not frightened of anything and they’re even scaring away the crows now.”
Parakeets have become a feature of suburban south London and surrey, the most famous being the 7,000-strong colony which has developed in Esher rugby club.
Have you seen the parakeets? Leave a comment below, call 020 8722 6335 or email: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.
