A COUPLE was shocked to find a rare white peahen trying to nest in their garden.

On Sunday, May 27, Malcolm and Jenny Heughan were sitting down to watch TV at about 8pm when they noticed a large white bird on the lawn of their garden in Piercing Hill, Theydon Bois.

Mrs Heughan said: “I was astonished when I saw what it was, it was a white peahen, which are rare creatures and it was walking around our lawn.

“It seemed as though it was looking for somewhere to roost for the night and it eventually flew up into a tree then vanished.

“It is very strange as they are exotic creatures. Someone must be missing it.”

The owner of the bird or anyone who knows who it belongs to is asked to call Essex Police on 101.