Exotic visitor adds colour to gardens
Monday, April 6, 2009 at 10:20 
Nature watchers have enjoyed spotting an exotic visitor to their gardens in the Burgate area over the past week.
A brightly-coloured Golden Mantled Rosella Parakeet, which originates in south-east Australia, has been seen in a number of gardens around Little Green.
Resident Barry Cole said: “I was amazed when having my breakfast to see this rather pretty parrot land in a tree in my front garden. I thought for a moment it was an elaborate April Fool!”
Mr Cole described the striking-looking bird as measuring about 12 to 13 inches long, with a red head and blue back, with black edging to its wing feathers infilled with yellow.
“He’s quite tame. I have quite a lot of food out for the birds and we do other things like the RSPB’s birdwatch, so we are interested in birds. He’s been seen about in other gardens locally. He has obviously escaped from an aviary or someone’s home.”
Mr Cole said that while it was nice to see the bird in his garden, he was concerned for its welfare and felt its owner should be found.
“He seems to be alright currently and will probably be fine through the summer, but I’m not so sure about the winter. I would rather know he was safe.”
The Diss Express was able to put Mr Cole in touch with the National Lost and Found Register which compiles and updates details of lost or stolen birds. It is run by John Hayward, a former police detective inspector and wildlife liaison officer, who has said he will contact Mr Cole if anyone reports a missing Golden Mantled Rosella.