NORFOLK FBA 2008 Open Show Report

This years entry showed an increase over 2007 at 279, and most entries were benched. The Foreign section was judged by Keith Garrett and Graham Lockington, whilst the Zebra Finch and Bengalese section was judged by Gerald Massey.

The Parrotlike section had 39 entries with the leading exhibit being S&J Fisher’s fine Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot. This exhibit went on to receive the award for best Foreign in show. Second best parrotlike was B Eagle’s Ringneck whilst a Pied Peach Faced Lovebird was third best for K Eagle. The Peach Faced also won the award for best current year bred parrotlike whilst second best current year bred was a Linoelated owned by B Sheldrake.

The Australian section contained 50 entries, with the quality being good. The leading exhibit was also the best current year bred entry, a pair of Bicheno’s of very good colour owned by G Wincomb. Second best in section was another current year bred entry benched by G Wincomb, this time a hen Painted Finch. Completing the current year bred awards in third place was a Hecks Grassfinch owned by L Barnsdale. Leading adult Australian and third best Australian overall was a Hecks Grassfinch owned by D Brown. The same exhibitor also staged the second best adult Australian, another Hecks Grassfinch, whilst L Barnsdale’s Gouldian was third best adult.

The section for other seedeaters contained 95 entries. Quality was high with some very good exhibits failing to make the specials list. Leading exhibit was S & J Fisher’s Phao Mexican Housefinch which managed to dry itself off from its early morning bath before judging. Second best was another S & J Fisher entry, this time an African Silverbill. In third place, leading current year bred seedeater and best current year bred Foreign was a pair of Chocolate Silverbills benched by L Barnsdale. The other current year bred specials winners were a cock Green Singing Finch owned by N Prentice in second place and a white African Silverbill which was third for S & J Fisher. The current year bred entries totalled 29 which was very pleasing. Best Java Sparrow was a Silver belonging to S Downes.

The awards in the Softbill section were all won by C Allaway. In first place, and also second best exhibit in show, was a Green Crested Touraco. In second place was a very good Chestnut Backed Thrush whilst a Royal Starling was third. The leading nectarfeeder was the same exhibitors Streaky Spiderhunter.

The best junior foreign entry was by Colby School.

There were over 60 entries in the Zebra Finch section. Best in section and best champion adult was B & J Rudling’s Fawns. The same exhibitor won the award for second best champion adult with Chestnut Flanked Whites whilst D Webster was third with Penguins which also picked up the best Penguin colour award. B & J Rudling also won the award for best champion breeder with Chestnut Flanked Whites whilst D Webster exhibits were second and third being Dilutes and Penguins respectively.

Leading novice adult entry was the Normals belonging to G Wincomb which also won the best Normal colour award. Mr & Mrs P Smith were second and third with Fawns and Dilutes, the latter also winning the colour award. G Wincomb also won the awards for best and second best novice breeder, both exhibits being Chestnut Flanked Whites with Mr & Mrs P Smith in third place with Dilutes.

Best Pieds and best Whites were both entered by Brown & Harris

Best single bird champion was benched by B & J Rudling whilst D Eagle staged the best single novice.

Bengalese entries were disappointing with best entered by L Barnsdale.