And in response to the comment "Is it true that you can now shoot parakeets?" the RSPB, who kindly sent me an illustration of one, respond:
Parakeets are not an indigenous species to Britain. However, there is currently no evidence in the UK of them causing a problem for native species. If an animal's population is causing damage or a nuisance to people or property, then landowners can apply for a licence from Natural England to control them. Parakeets have been moved on to the General Licence which does mean no application has to be made. But anyone who wants to control parakeets must be able to prove that they have a good reason for doing so.
see the relevant RSPB blog: www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/news/archive/2009/10/02/don-t-have-a-pop-at-a-parakeet.aspx
