From our apartment window we often see and hear green parrots. This seems a bit strange here in Europe so I thought I check out what Mr Google had to say about them:
The Wild Green Parakeet
The green parrot, or parakeet, is probably one of the most unexpected avian species you can regularly spot in the Netherlands. Usually associated with tropical weather, the colorful birds seem to have successfully adapted to the colder Dutch weather and can be seen all over its cities. Initially brought from abroad in the 1970s as pets, the reasons for their establishment and proliferation around the country is linked to many urban legends. From an old women who would have purposely released a mating pair, to an accident involving a truck carrying exotic birds, the only thing that is certain is that the species is here to stay.
At the centre of their controversy, the birds are considered a pest by many and are even said to cause a negative ecological impact due to their territorial nature, leading them to be included on a list of the 100 worst invasive alien species. They are also a source of nuisance for many residents as they can be particularly noisy. This includes the Dutch parliament whom, according to rumours, have been their victims on multiple occasions with some debates being completely drowned out by their noise. Despite that, most residents wouldn’t have it any other way and to this day, you can still find many people, including newcomers, regularly marvelling the sight of them.
I certainly enjoy seeing these colourful birds and so far their noise is less than the passing aircraft on their way to Schiphol.
For some reason they always make me think of the Monty Python parrot sketch - but these are Dutch Greens not Norwegian Blues!
They would probably be very welcome in Ireland. They are the right green for “The Emerald Isle” - especially suitable for St Patrick’s day.
Easter Sunday.
This morning is a mild cloudy day. Not much sign of the lovely sun we had yesterday. But it’s staying dry and not too cold so we are planning a walk in the surrounding countryside today.
Here a few pics I took along the way:
I had been hoping to spot some herons. This one decided to fly away before I could get close enough for a good picture.
Of course wherever we go round here water is always nearby.
The people here seem to pollard their garden trees almost to extinction! I suppose the hard pruning will encourage more growth of what I presume will be beautiful blossom and leaves. Maybe we will see them when we return in the autumn.
I have now found out that these are mulberry trees which produce delicious and healthy berries in late summer.
Here is that elusive heron again…
This lovely old house, built in the style of the Amsterdam school of architecture once belonged to the managing director of Van Gelder and Son. They were paper manufacturers and for many years were the main employer of people in Wormer.
The last part of our walk takes us along this interesting street:
We always have a little laugh about the origin of the name. In Dutch “koker” means a tube - usually referring to a cardboard tube like the ones found at the centre of a toilet roll. When Elizabeth originally told me this I couldn’t believe anyone would want to call a street after that! Ever since then I have called this street “toilet roll street”.
After working up a good appetite from our walk we enjoyed our lunch very much.
Now Elizabeth is away on her bike to Yolande to have her hair cut. I will be seeing a new pixie later! 🧚♀️. It’s very nice for her to have a sister with so many skills.
1742hrs.
We are settling down for a relaxing dinner and happy evening watching movies.
Maybe some more news tomorrow?
🐣🐰🐤🐣🐰🐤🐣🐰🐤🐣🐰🐤🐣🐰🐤🐣🐰🌺
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