The guy is genuinely concerned about their welfare and feels that they should be trapped and returned to captivity.

In fairness they look healthy and have survived that very cold spell --something they are known for in Aus, so perhaps unless the owner is traced they could be left alone?

The same photo is in the South Manchester Reporter article on the same page as the Crimson Rosellas. There is no web link to the SMR article. The MEN artical is

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1090903_pretty_parky_polly

You saw it first here folks

-- Edited by Pete Hines at 01:25, 2009-01-17

Caught up with the Crimson Rosella's on way home from work tonight - I've given them their own thread, though perhaps this one should be re-named South Manchester exotics and keep all South Manchester parrot related sightings together?

Pete,

I've lost your number too!

Debs/All,

I'm following up a report of three Crimson Rosellas in Whalley Range so keep your eyes peeled!

(Debs - I've lost your number - can you text me so I can re-save it? Happy New Year!)

2, Alex Park on island, 1pm (mobbing a sparrowhawk)

at least 4, Platt Fields Park, 2pm, 3 in sensory garden, 1 (poss 2) on island

I saw the Amazon for first time today in Platt Fields Park, in an ash tree near the sensory garden with a pair of Parakeets which were feeding on ash seeds. The Amazon was asleep when I left it at 14.30.

A minimum of 5 (3m & 2f) and a maximum of 8 Parakeets at PFP 14.15-15.15 (one female popped out of a cavity).

2.30pm - 3pm 5 males, 2 ringless and the Amazon. Feeding and then basking in the sunshine and preening before heading off in the direction of Platt Fields. No sign of African Grey, but I'm looking out for it.

You know what, I've been asking myself that same question for some time now. When I first saw the Amazon and concluded that it was someones lost pet I immediately wanted to do all I could to reunite it with its owners. I can imagine somebody being very upset at not knowing how or where there bird is and at first I assumed (AMAZON - hot, Manchester - I don't think so) that it would not survive, and capture was its only chance.
However now it is a free living bird, doing what birds are meant to do and to be honest if it landed on my hand tomorrow I'm not sure that I could bring myself to catch it and hand it in (not even to Paul who sounds like a very nice chap!).
Although I love animals and end up with all manner of unwanted pets and strays, I am not really convinced about the whole pet thing. Birds in cages do not sit right with me and although I don't for one minute think that wild birds have it easy, I think that if it can survive outside and be free I'd let it. I know there are complications with ferral breeding populations, culls and other such issues and it can all get very difficult, but for now I am going to the allotment every 2 days to fill up 9 feeders so the hungry parakeets and parrot(s) can have a reliable source of food.

The African Grey is known to me and is leading me a merry dance have been trying to catch him now for over two weeks, thanks for the latest sighting he has moved from didsbury side of town over the last few days.

keep chasing parrots its my job you know great isn,t

As an afterthought it is obvious that the ringed necks escaped and can survive, and after the last few days of bad weather the Amazon and African grey can survive as well, what do we do leave them or catch them?

Keep birding

I think I have seen them around the buildings in Whitworth Park late on in the day..

Glad to hear that the Amazon and Junior are still about Debs.

2.40pm The Amazon Parrot and 8 parakeets were already on the feeders when I arrived at the allotment. 4 males, 3 ringless one of whom was a juvenile (Junior is still around Rob). I couldn't tell about the 8th one as they were moving about too much. They left just before 3pm and flew off in the direction of Platt Fields. I haven't seen the Amazon for three weeks, nor the juvenile for a while either. It made my day

Went to Platt Fields at 3.40 and found 4 birds - incl. 2 males in a Beech Tree on the Nico Dyke path. Settled down to keep an eye on them by a nearby tree. Much calling then a brief flurry of activity at about 3.50 as another bird called from the hedge at the side of the orchard then another behind me towards the keeper's house/compound area. At least 4 flew back into the Beech tree then all of a sudden at 4.00pm there was no more noise. But I couldn't see them in the foliage either. It was as if they had disappeared but I'm convinced they did not fly off. I stayed around till about 4.30 and there was no further sign and no other birds arrived or were elsewhere in the park. Still did not see the Amazon.

Here's a speculative thought - in their natural wild habitiat they live much closer to the equater where sundown is rapid so there is a need to roost very quickly unlike our birds which gradually die down and settle in for the night still making calls near dark.

3.10pm Amazon with 6 parakeets already on the feeders at allotment when I arrived. (4 male 2 female / ringless). Then ate apples for a while. A lot of calling and squawking amongst the group. I could hear another bird in the far distance calling back. 3.30 another 1 or 2 flew in. They all gathered and were generally hanging out (pre-roosting?)in a big horse chestnut tree and being very vocal for about 15 minutes.
8 parakeets and the Amazon all flew off together at 3.50pm heading in the direction of Platt Fields or even Alex Park. Got on my bike went straight to Platt Fields. Could not see or hear them. If they were making the same amount of noise as they were at the allotment I would have found them, but if they are quiet, even 8 and a big green parrot can just disappear into a tree and there are a lot of trees in Platt Fields!
p.s. my other half has just phone me as I am typing this and said the saw 3 or 4 flying out of Platt Fields at 8.45 this morning.

Amazons can show red in the wing - a feature I completely forgot to look for when photographing Deb's bird last month.

I'll check my photos to see if I got a wing shot - but I don't think that I did.

There's something I completely forgot to add on the my last post. When the six parakeets were seen in flight, there was a parakeet clearly larger than the other five showing deep crimson/maroon patches on the upper forewings/shoulders. If this is Robs Alexandrine, posted 9th July, it's grown a tail and where has it been all this time ?. With views being poor and brief, it increases the impetus to find the communal roost site (in trees). Certainly worth giving the birds more scrutiny and it there would appear to be more than one group. Literature (Grimmett, Inskipp & Inskipp 1998) states that communal roosts of Alexandrines are 'usually not with other species'; maybe there is an exception with a lone individual ?. I've seen stacks of Alexandrines in India & Nepal over the years although the last time was ten years ago !

The nights are drawing in now. I visited Alex Park again today 16.05-16.20 and nothing. Will have to arrive earlier on a day off work.

Also of interest, the hornbeam in Chorlton Park, favoured by the Parakeets last autumn has not set seed this year, hence no Parakeets there.

-- Edited by Pete Hines at 20:19, 2008-11-04

Maybe here's a clue ?. Alexandra Park, Whalley Range, today 16.10-16.18

6 Ring-necked Parakeets by the pond contained 3 adult males, the others I only saw in flight, no Amazon or African Grey. All flew in the direction of Whitworth Park at 16.18

I had a report from council worker 'Pat from Platt', late last night, that Parakeets roost together in tress within the works compound, arriving between 16.00-17.00, containing up to 11 Parakeets and an African Grey. So I went to check it out today:

15.45-17.-00 and nothing!
1 Gt/sp Woodpecker
1 Pipistrelle Bat

A group of 5 eating some sort of crab apple in the grounds of Webster Primary School junction of Denmark Road and Lloyd St. Flew off W towards Hulme at 4.15pm. This is where I'd heard them early morning previously so it must be a stopping off first and last feeding station. None in Whitworth Park and none in Platt Fields a few minutes earlier. so where were the rest?

Just spent the last hour through dusk until it got too dark and there was no sign of the Parakeets coming in to roost so they must be somewhere else. Other sightings on the Platt Fields thread

Unless anthing unexpected happens, I should be at the allotment Sat pm and may well be able to come along to Platt Fields as the parakeets leave the allotment.

Saturday good for me to join in I can be there in seconds from my house. Unfortunately it's dark by the time I leave the office now

Nick Godden wrote:

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We've often been to Platt Fields Park just before dark and they always roost on the island of the lake with the magpies. What does the roost hunt involve?, we'd be happy to help!

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Hi Nick,

Whenever I've been they seem to have left the park at dusk - but maybe they are just looping around back to the island.

Would make life easier if they were.

I really only want to find the roost to try and get an accurate count, which won't be easy even if it is on the island unless we can train them to line up on one branch!

I'll take a look one night this week(end), if I know in advance when I'll post here and anyone who wants to can join me - satefy in numbers...!

We've often been to Platt Fields Park just before dark and they always roost on the island of the lake with the magpies. What does the roost hunt involve?, we'd be happy to help!