in 1109530 20120224 234748 Davey wrote:
On Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:52:26 +0000
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Nightjar wrote:
On 24/02/2012 17:54, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
David Chapman wrote:
...
Does anyone know of any proven, and not outrageously expensive,
bird feeders that will allow us to feed our blue tits and NOT the
parakeets? I'm very willing to build a DIY device if anyone knows
of a design that actually does work.


.22 air rifle and shoot the buggers. I think they are calssed as
vermin anyway....

The Monk Parakeet and the Ring-Necked Parakeet are included in the
General Licence for the prevention of 'serious damage to livestock,
foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber,
fisheries or inland waters'.

The Monk Parakeet only is in the General Licence 'to preserve
public health or public safety'.

I don't think that stopping them from eating food put out for other
wild birds comes under either licence.

There are thought to be only about 100 Monk Parakeet in Britain, so
these are probably Ring-Necked Parakeet, which is a pity as Monk
Parakeet droppings could be classed as a public health hazard. That
means that Dave would need to kill them only for the purposes of
protecting any growing crops, vegetables or fruit he may have in
his garden and not for the purpose of stopping them from eating the
bird food.

Can't he eat the parakeets?

Colin Bignell

"Birds killed or taken under this licence may be eaten but may not be
sold for human consumption."

So, yes. But first he has to kill them in a prescribed manner. Does he
have a firearms license?

Also, isn't there a law about discharging a firearm within n yards of a public right-of-way?