The great para keet invasion

摘要

A BLUR OF MOVEMENT caught my eye, followed by an almighty crash. My expensive, newly-installed conservatory glass was still reverberating from the impact as I leapt up. A cricket ball? I hadn't expected to be under a missile barrage during my first few days in a peaceful Thames-side village. Outside, a bright green bird lay twitching on the grass. To my astonishment, it was some kind of parrot. About the size of a pigeon, it had a long, yellow-green tail, a rose-red marking around the neck and a beautiful, hooked red beak. Most amazing of all, it proceeded to get to its feet and ruffle its feathers. A tough old bird, clearly, but what was it doing in my garden? Even with my then limited knowledge, I could see that it was a tropical species.