UK Wild Parrots Get Temporary Reprieve

The U.K. Parrots currently in jeopardy are the same kind we see in many cities in the U.S.A.

The wild Monk Parakeets (AKA Quaker Parrots) of Borehamwood, UK were granted a temporary reprieve in late August when permission to shoot them on public land was withdrawn by local authorities in response to a campaign to save the wild birds. Unfortunately, quite a few parrots have already been shot; according to Simon Richardson, one of the campaign's leaders, the population is down to just 15 now.

This site covered this issue back in June. Thanks to everyone who signed the online petition, which now has more than 2,000 signatures. Please sign it if you feel that shooting these wild parrots -- the same kind we have in Brooklyn -- is wrong.

The movement against the killings of these wild parrots isn't just happening in cyberspace; this past week a demonstration was held on the Isle of Dogs, where some of the parrots live. The demonstrators were heartened by the the victory in Borehamwood and plan to address the local Concil in November about the issue.

Wild Parrot Conservation Part of Brooklyn College's Athletic Field Renovation Plan

The Brooklyn College Athletic Field, due for renovation, is home to many wild Monk Parakeets (AKA Quaker Parrots), who nest in the light towers.

The NY Daily News is covering the very happy news that Brooklyn College is taking extraordinary care to protect the wild parrots living there while the college goes ahead and renovates its athletic field. Notably, they've earmarked funds to makes sure that the parrots will continue to have platforms on any new light poles put up on the field, and they've also pledged to do the work at a time which will not disrupt the parrots' breeding cycle or expose them to bitter cold weather.

Brooklyn's own Eagle Newspaper also covered this happy event.

I am really overjoyed that Brooklyn College is taking these steps. The wild parrot colony at Brooklyn College is one of the biggest and healthiest in the whole New York area, and it is, of course, where I do my free monthly "wild parrot safaris" for the public. So thanks to an enlightened adminstration, it seems like the wild parrots of Brooklyn will be able to call Brooklyn College their home for a long time to come!

Here's a short video I shot a couple of years back showing the parrots in action.

Off Topic: Music (In Central Park With The Meetles)

Once a month, I lead free public tours for the public so that folks can see the wonderful wild parrots in Brooklyn. Our next "Wild Parrot Safari" is October 1 and I hope you can join us! When I'm not out chasing the parrots, you'll find me in Central Park, where I play guitar and sing with a wonderful group of musicians who - while no longer "Spring Chickens," plays the music that we grew up with - especially Beatles music.

Here's our gang last week in the park, performing "The Ballad of John and Yoko." From left to right we find myself (Steve), then Matt, Rob, Naomi on drums, and Barry on lead guitar. Thanks to David Belgrave for getting this track down on his Flip camera.

In Our Hearts Forever

Memorial honoring Brooklyn firefighters lost September 11, 2001, Keystone Park, Brooklyn. Photo by Steve Baldwin, date 9/9/2006.