Belfast Parakeet Population Boom Raises Ecological Concerns

Belfast's Waterworks Park faces an ecological challenge: a booming parakeet population. Ecologists are expressing worry over the increasing number of ring-necked parakeets, which are outcompeting native birds for resources. Conor McKinney, Chairperson of Wild Belfast, explains, "We could be looking at enclosures...to prevent them from using those nesting cavities." The situation is serious; Viola Ross-Smith of the British Trust for Ornithology notes a population increase of over 2000% since 1995 in the UK, almost doubling in the last decade. The video highlights the urgency of finding humane solutions, such as mist netting, before the problem escalates further. The situation underscores the delicate balance of urban ecosystems and the need for proactive conservation efforts.