Concerns raised over Ventnor Park budgies

But the man looking after the birds, who is part of Ventnor Enhancement Fund and cares for them voluntarily, outlined the care they receive and disputed claims the aviary is too small.

Izzy Stritton, 14, who lives near the park, is upset the birds are not taken to a vet if they get poorly.

An email from Michael Gaukroger, who looks after the birds, to Izzy's mother Karen last year confirmed this, stating: "I’m afraid the truth of the matter is that it is cheaper to replace a budgie than take it to a vet.

"It is not as though the budgies have any sentimental value to anyone — unlike a domestic pet."

One of the budgies on the floor of the aviary.

An upset Izzy wrote a letter to the County Press about the budgies' welfare, as she still has concerns.

She wrote: "For the last few years I have been monitoring the budgies in the park aviary after I was made aware that the treatment they were receiving was appalling.

"I discovered this after I reported a bird with an injured wing. She was removed from the park and I assumed she had been taken to a vet, I was wrong. They have no regard for the wellbeing of these birds.

"I have seen budgies with overgrown beaks, feather loss and skin conditions, curved and chewed off tails and twisted legs. None of them deserve any of this.

"They are all suffering, and I wont stop trying until every last one has been taken out and given a better home."

One budgie had an elongated beak.

Ventnor resident Lin Arnold also wrote to the County Press. She said: "Could it be high time to rehome the birds? I am apprehensive to call it an aviary, they have no room to fly.

"It's a sad sight. We are not Victorians nor Edwardians who would find caged birds in parks acceptable. It's surely outdated and unkind to capture birds like that?"

Volunteer group Ventnor Enhancement Fund took over and refurbished the aviary in 2013, and added 15 budgies the following year.

Michael outlined the care the budgies receive, and told us: "When budgies very occasionally fall ill, we don’t let them suffer."

The CP has asked him to clarify the meaning of this statement, and whether the birds are registered with a veterinary practice, but have yet to receive a response.

One of the Ventnor Park budgies.

He did outline the care given to the budgies, which includes replacing their feed and tap water every two days. The water bottle and base are rinsed out during each visit and cleaned to remove faeces and slime as necessary.

Eucalyptus branches are cut from Ventnor Botanic Garden and added every three to six weeks. The aviary is scrubbed and disinfected around four times a year.

The budgies have only ever known a diet of seeds. Fruit, vegetables and chickweed have been tried on several occasions but the birds are not interested.

Michael said VEF do not consider the aviary too small, and it was 'very upsetting' to receive 'unfounded' criticism.

Karen said: "I so understand that these people have put a lot of work into keeping the birds, but something needs to be done."