Missing parrot flew over Solent to Isle of Wight on holiday

Miguel has been a popular member of the team at Buckler's Hard Yacht Harbour since he landed on one of the boats last August.

He quickly settled in but flew off a few days ago, apparently after deciding he was due a spot of annual leave.

The Alexandrine parrot bid farewell to the Beaulieu River and flew off to sample the delights of the Isle of Wight.

Miguel is now safely back home at the Harbour Master's office on the Beaulieu River (Image: Beaulieu Estate)

A Beaulieu Estate spokesperson said: "As the team were getting ready to close the Harbour Master’s office for the day, Miguel escaped and flew off into the evening sunset.

"Miguel has become a much loved 'colleague' as well as being popular with visitors to the yacht harbour.

"Everyone was therefore naturally saddened by his disappearance and a campaign was quickly launched via social media to try to get him back home safely."

Three days after he disappeared reports of a parrot in the Bembridge area began to surface on social media.

"It quickly became apparent that Miguel was having a day out at the beach and causing quite a stir," said the spokesperson.

"Thankfully the team from the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown headed over to Yaverland Beach and were successful in rescuing Miguel."

Miguel is transported back to the Beaulieu River after his trip to the Isle of Wight (Image: Beaulieu Estate)

Two members of the Beaulieu River staff, Matt Thomas and Nicky Pointer, travelled to the Island and were reunited with their feathered friend.

He is now safely back at the yacht harbour and enjoying his favourite snack of fruit, plus lots of attention.

Harbour Master Wendy Stowe said: "We are so grateful to both the public and the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary for helping to find and look after Miguel.

"He’s been very chatty since getting home, but we’re not sure his favourite phrase of 'good boy' is quite true!"

As reported in the Daily Echo, the yacht harbour was named Marina of the Year in the British Yachting Awards 2022.

Buckler’s Hard is a former shipbuilding centre that produced some of the vessels that fought at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

During the Second World War it was used to build motor torpedo boats, while the river itself became a base for hundreds of craft waiting to take part in the D-Day landings.

Buckler’s Hard was also the home port of legendary round-the-world sailor Sir Francis Chichester.

The award-winning Buckler's Hard Yacht Harbour on the Beaulieu River (Image: Beaulieu Enterprises)