Photo: Donald Skinner-Reid. Donald (right) has seen his career in birds go from strength to strength, with numerous wins on the show bench over the past few years. Two years ago was an eventful time for then-novice DONALD SKINNER-REID with canary…
Photo: Fred Wright. Think big: Ian states that a key advantage, when starting out in Borders, is to give yourself as spacious a birdroom as you can. Don’t start out cramped! Fred Wright concludes his Q&A series with IAN PERRIER with advice…
Photo: Gary Bralsford. A new species Gary has acquired to try to breed from next year: fine-spotted woodpecker (Campethera punctuligera) With his breeding season nearly over, GARY BRALSFORD takes stock of some splendid highlights – and takes the opportunity to…
Above: White-fronted bee-eaters are stunning even by the standards of their family. This and three other bee-eater species are thriving at a very well-run private set-up that Gary reports on, © Shutterstock.com/Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH As the weather starts to turn, GARY BRALSFORD…
Above: the black-faced zebra finch shows a black triangle on the face instead of a tear mark LARRY MANN explains why the striking black-faced mutation is becoming more popular on the show scene. In most cases, black coloration splits opinions,…
Photo: Dave Brown. Talented artist Dougie Fleming (left) and brother Adam (far right) judged the Welsh ZFS show. They are pictured here with Tucker Furlong. Even when you try your very best to prepare your top birds for shows, sometimes…
Photo: Dave Brown. Preparing for the important show day: Dave’s show team get some show cage time Six weeks is how long DAVE BROWN starts to prepare his show birds before an event – how is your own prep coming…
Photo: Dave Brown. Take your partners: Dave has found time to run some zebras through the show cages DAVE BROWN continues to assess his stock for future use in the breeding room and show team, highlighting where his birds have…
Photo: Gary Bralsford. Gary’s royal starlings at their nest-box. The outer covering is cork bark The action’s coming thick and fast in GARY BRALSFORD’s set-up, where his new birdroom extension is now finished, and the inhabitants are celebrating their accommodation…
Photo: Gary Bralsford. Gary’s breeding season has gone from strength to strength, particularly with his royal starlings. So far, the parents have been good feeders As late summer approaches, Gary Bralsford and his fellow softbill enthusiasts are starting to feel it’s…