NORFOLK FBA 2006 OPEN SHOW

This year’s Open Show received an entry of just over 300 which was the same number as last year. The Foreign awards were placed by Roger Green and Andrew Howlett whilst Gerald Massey judged the Zebra and Bengalese sections.

The entry in the Parrotlike section was 36 which was lower than recent years. The leading entry was B Sheldrake’s Ringneck, with Mr & Mrs Tugman’s Crimson Wing second and S & P Fisher’s Vernal Hanging Parrot in third place. The quality in the current year bred classes was not up to the standard of the adult classes, but B Sheldrake owned both the leading exhibits with a Lineolated Parakeet and a Bourkes. The Lovebird section contained some good quality exhibits and was won by D Watlow with a Lutino Peachfaced. This was also a current year bred exhibit and went on to be judged third best current year bred in show. D watlow also staged best normal Lovebird with a Peachfaced and best eye-ring with a Masked.

There were over 50 common seedeaters with good quality and some very good classes. The three leading current year bred exhibits all came from a strong class of 15. The first two were both African Silverbills owned by L Barnsdale whilst D Brown was third with a Fawn Java. The leading current year bred exhibit was also judged best Common Seedeater, second best seedeater and went on to become best current year exhibit in show.

In the overall Common Seedeater section, an Orange cheeked Waxbill benched by C&S Allaway was second behind the Silverbills whilst another African Silverbill exhibit was third for S&P Fisher.

The number of entries in the Rare Seedeater section was lower than recent years. There were only two current year bred entries, but the leading one was judged best Rare Seedeater. This was a Red Headed Finch owned by S&P Fisher. Second and third best in section were a Golden Breasted Bunting owned by Mr & Mrs Tugman and B & J Rudling’s Hybrid. The last mentioned attracted a lot of attention with a competition to guess the parentage. Despite many years combined experience from a number of exhibitors present, nobody guessed correctly at Five Coloured Munia × Pallid Munia.

As usual, the quality of the 60 exhibits in the Australian section was high. The leading current year bred exhibit was a Cherry Finch owned by D Brown. This exhibit was also second best Australian, third best seedeater in show and second best current year bred exhibit in show. The other two current year bred awards went to G Wincomb’s Bicheno Finch and a pair of Chestnut Breasted Finches also owned by D Brown. The leading current year bred exhibit was pipped for best Australian Finch by an excellent Bicheno Finch owned by G Wincomb which went on to become best seedeater and third best exhibit in show. Third best Australian was a Black Headed Gouldian for D&H Harris.

The softbill section was very strong and contained the best exhibit in show, a lovely Azure Tanager owned by C&S Allaway with even colour and in outstanding condition. This partnership won the other softbill awards with a Green Cheeked Touraco and a Royal Starling. Unfortunately there were no current year bred softbills entered. All the leading nectar feeders came from the same class. First was an excellent Black Headed Sugarbird owned by C&S Allaway which went on to become second best in show. Second was another C& S Allaway exhibit, a Streaky Spiderhunter whilst a Purple Sugarbird was third for Mr & Mrs Tugman.

The best Junior exhibit was a very nice Green Singing Finch owned by Miss S Warelow. Mst K Eagle staged some nice Lovebirds, the best of which was second best Junior and best CYOB Junior.

The number of Zebra Finches entered was down on previous years. The best champion exhibit, and best Zebra Finches were adult Fawns owned by B&J Rudling. Second and third best champion adult both belonged to J Moss with Chestnut Flanked Whites and Normals. The champion breeders were led by J Moss’s Fawns, and he laso took the second best award with Normals. Third place was taken by B&J Rudling’s Chestnut Flanked Whites.

Mr & Mrs P Smith won all the novice awards. The best Novice exhibit and best novice adult were Fawns with Chestnut Flanked Whites second and another pair of Normals third. Best novice breeders were Chestnut Flanked Whites.

Colour awards went to D Brown for Pied and White, and D Webster for Dilute and Penguin. Best junior Zebra Finch went to Mst D Eagle with Fawns.

Bengalese entries were low and C Simpson won the award for best and best novice with Variegated Dilutes. Best champion were the Self Chestnut’s of D Brown whilst Mst D Eagle staged the best junior.