I SHOULD begin by saying that I stand corrected with previous reference to winning hen mules. The day after my article was published in the September 25 Cage & Aviary Birds, I received a telephone call from Peter Degville of Dudley. He advised me that I was wrong on two counts, with the name of the exhibitor and show.
So for Alan Page substitute Dave Mason and for the NBB&MC All-British substitute the Staffordshire BB&MC show! Apologies to both. Dave is arguably the top exhibitor of mules and hybrids in the British Isles and practically unbeatable at the London & Home Counties show. Alan is a true gentleman with many years of knowledge and experience in the fancy. I hope to see him in the New Year at the London & Home Counties show and if he wants to contact me in the meantime I will be very happy.
Once reminded by Peter Degville, my memory improved: it was indeed a cock greenfinch mule that Alan benched. I had some success on that day in 2008 with a hen siskin, which was nice but not the quality of Alan’s winner.
Back to the present. The 2019/2020 show season has begun for me with the Denbigh CBS show. This is my local show which I have now started to get involved in rather than just attend as an exhibitor. Over the years my father and I travelled to exhibit in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. I doubt whether anyone has travelled so much! However, we never got much involved in the running of shows. Previously the Welsh BB&MC and, more recently, the National BB&MC had been our sole involvements.
This story is from the November 27, 2019 edition of Cage & Aviary Birds.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 27, 2019 edition of Cage & Aviary Birds.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The World's Best-Known Hummingbird?
Intensively studied, the gem-like Anna’s hummingbird is a welcome visitor to the gardens of America’s most populous state: California. Bill Naylor investigates its life history
The charm of the English Cinnamon
Despite its long and complicated history, the true Cinnamon canary is still with us – in the hands of a tiny group of breeders. DONALD SKINNER-REID reckons it deserves wider appreciation
Spangles: a personal overview
FRED WRIGHT relates a budgie story of over-exploitation, consequent problems and abundant potential for the future
New converts to old breeds
Old and rare canaries have a reputation for adding fresh interest and challenge to the hobby. PETE HOOK and NICK JOY agree, and explain the birds’ charm to Dave Brown
Themed aviaries are a hit with the public at annual Stafford show
DECORATIVE AVIARY DISPLAYS from a CBS and an online bird keeping advice group were voted in the top three by visitors for the inaugural Stafford Aviary Competition.
Pieds with potential
More than just a lesser variety, the dominant pied will introduce challenge and change into most studs, reckons CLIVE WAKEMAN. Here he discusses pairings to try and others to avoid
Club News
Welcome to the club and show pages – the bit that’s all about you Results: convention, specialist & rare and Breeder of the Year
Canaries Month by Month:
With Christmas around the corner, BRIAN KEENAN is well into his winter programme, and reckons he might deserve a nice outcross
Smart Choice, Docile Nature
Dave Brown welcomes the masked grassfinch to his birdroom and shares advice on this lovely Australian species
The truth about the ‘flying toad'
Odd local names and weird superstitions can’t hide the beauty and elegance of the nightjar, a species that has made a fascinating subject in a few zoo collections, reveals BILL NAYLOR
