Green parakeets in Surrey...

"I think I saw a green parakeet in the garden" I announced at breakfast with varying levels of incredulity. It did seem a bit unlikely - parakeets in Surrey. After a short while however the colourful and loud visitors re-appeared...then again, 5 in all, bright green parakeets. After asking around and reading a bit, it becomes obvious that actually parakeets are quite common in parts of Surrey near London - I just hadn't seen one. Figures range from 5,000- 20,000 in and around London. Quite how the parakeets happen to be here is a matter of some conjecture but mostly, those who study these things, reckon that the once kept birds escaped and bred successfully. Very successfully. Being native to the mountains of Tibet means parakeets are able to adapt to the weather in the UK easily.