NORFOLK FOREIGN BIRD ASSOCIATION - 2001 OPEN SHOW

Entries for the 2001 Norfolk Foreign Bird Association Open Show were down on previous years and totalled just over 400. The Bengalese and Lovebird sections were particularly hit by lower entries, whilst absentees in the Common Seedeater and Rare Seedeater sections meant that the number of birds staged was below 400. There was however an increase in the Australian section.

Judges for this years show were B Beeson, G Coe and R Oxley in the foreign section, E Payne for Zebra Finches and J Harris for Bengalese.

A total of 18 Lovebirds were entered, and once again D Watlow staged the leading entry with a nice Orange Faced Peachfaced. He also owned the third and fourth best Lovebird whilst R Smith took the award for second best, all these entries being normal Peach Faced. The leading current year bred Lovebird was L Barnsdale's normal Peach Faced.

In the Parrotlike section of 34, S & P Fisher took the leading award with a Vernals Hanging Parrot and second place with their well known Ringneck. In third place was C & S Allaway's Red Flanked Lorikeet, whilst fourth best and leading current year bred entry was Mr & Mrs Tugman's Goldies Lorikeet which took great pleasure in destroying all the decorations in its cage. This bird was also judged best current year bred exhibit in show. Second best current year bred was J Rudling's Turquoisine and third best B Sheldrake's Lineolated.

In the highly competitive Common Seedeater section of 61, the leading exhibit was also the best current year bred entry, a Silver Java Sparrow benched by D Brown. In second place was T Warelow's well coloured Firefinch cock, third was Mr & Mrs Tugman's Blue Capped Waxbill and fourth S & P Fisher's cock Cutthroat which had a deep and good coloured throat. The current year bred class was also competitive, and behind the leading exhibit second place went to L Barnsdale's Spicebirds, third was the same exhibitors SIlverbills whilst D brown was fourth with Fawn Java Sparrows.

The Rare Seedeater section was a bit disappointing with 42 entries, although the quality of the leading exhibits was good. In first place was D Brown with a Red Winged Pytilla in outstanding condition and with exceptionally well coloured wing markings. This bird was also judged best seedeater and third best foreign. Second best was a good Pearl Headed Silverbill owned by S & P Fisher and third another good Red Winged Pytilla, this one being benched by T Warelow. In fourth place was N Elliston's Red Headed Finch. Leading current year bred entry was the Cuban Finch owned by G Wincomb with a Violet Eared Waxbill owned by D & H Harris being second.

The entry in the Australian section was an excellent 83. The quality and competion was high, with G Wincomb managing to take the leading award with his Hecks Grassfinch which was also the leading current year bred Australian. Second best in section was also a current year bred entry being a Red Headed Gouldian owned by D & H Harris. G Wincomb also owned the leading adult entry and third best Australian with another Hecks Grassfinch. Fourth best Australian and third best current year bred was D Brown's Cherry Finch whilst fourth best current year bred was G Wincomb's Parson Finch.

The section for Nectarfeeders was well supported with 24 entries. Mr & Mrs Tugman took the two leading awards with an Amethyst Sunbird and a Splendid Sunbird. The Amethyst Sunbird went on to be best foreign whilst the Splendid was judged fourth best foreign. Third best nectarfeeder went to C & S Allaway's Marico Sunbird with Mr & Mrs Tugman also taking fourth best with a Streaked Spiderhunter.

C & S Allaway won the award for best Softbill with an excellent Royal Starling that went on to be judged second best foreign. In second place was a beautifully staged Red Tailed Robin owned by Mr & Mrs Tugman. An equally well staged Rufous Bellied Niltava was fourth best for the same exhibitors. In third place was C & S Allaway's White Cheeked Touraco. The only current year bred entry was N Elliston's Montane White-eye.

Leading exhibit in a small junior section was the Bourkes Parakeet owned by Colby School.

Zebra Finches totalled 87 with most of the entries being in the Champion section. In the Champion Adult section the leading exhibit was J Lacey's Fawns. P Ankin took the next two awards with Normals and Chestnut Flanked Whites, whilst J Lacey was fourth with another pair of Fawns. In the Champion Breeder section P Ankin staged the first three exhibits with Normals taking the first two awards, and Chestnut Flanked Whites being third. His leading pair of Normals were also best Zebra Finch. J Lacey took fourth place with Fawns. Taking first place in the Novice Adult section was Mr & Mrs Shortland's Chestnut Flanked Whites. The same exhibitors also staged the second best with Normals whilst K Ream was third and fourth with Creams and Silvers. Leading Novice Breeder award went to K Ream with Silvers whilst A Coles was second with Chestnut Flanked Whites. In third place were the Normals owned by R Winter whilst Mr & Mrs Shortland were fourth, also with Normals. Colby School staged the best junior Zebra Finch.

In a disappointing Bengalese section the leading exhibit and best Novice was S & J Fisher's Self Chocolates whilst best Champion exhibit was Mr & Mrs Hunt's Self Chocolate and Self Fawn.