This amazing-looking violet turaco was regularly seen by the inhabitants of Over Wallop, Hants, between 2007-2010. We were also lucky enough to see it in our garden.

Almost certainly it was once a captive bird that was released or escaped. It is a native of Africa so it's surprising that it coped with our winters without perishing. Its call is very distinctive but the chances of finding a mate were, of course, zero. It used to spend a lot of time in a neighbour's garden (where these photos were taken) but it also disappeared for long spells, earning it the nickname of Houdini. No-one seemed to know where it went but it always came back. I alerted the BTO to its existence so it should be on the record books.

We hadn't been living in Over Wallop for very long and I used to regularly walk around the countryside with my binoculars. A local (presumably) who I'd never met before, stopped me and asked if I was looking for 'that large dark blue bird with a big red and yellow bill etc etc.' I smiled and thought the guy must have just come from the pub. But no. He'd obviously seen it!