NORFOLK FOREIGN BIRD ASSOCIATION – 2012 OPEN SHOW

This years open show attracted 195 entries which was down on recent years, but quite good considering a few usual exhibitors were unable to enter. Lisa Barnsdale and Gary Wincomb judged the Foreign section whilst David Paine placed the Zebra Finches and Bengalese awards.

The Lovebird section contained 38 entries fairly evenly split between adult and current year bred. Overall quality in this section was outstanding, and better than any other foreign section. The A&J Morton partnership took the leading award in the adult section with a Normal Peachfaced which was eventually selected as best in show. This is the second time in three years that this species has won best in show. Second and third best adult Lovebirds were also Peachfaced belonging to D Watlow and the Morton partnership respectively. Best and second best current year bred both went to the Morton partnership and third best exhibit went to D Watlow. All these award winners were Peachfaced with the leading exhibit also being judged best current year bred in show. Best eyering Lovebird was D Watlow’s Masked.

The other Parrotlike section was poorly supported with 11 entries. Best in section and best adult went to R Walvin with a Perfect Lorikeet. B Sheldrake won the awards for second and third best adult with a Lineolated and Plumhead respectively. C Lambert took the award for best current year bred with B Sheldrake second, both exhibits being Lineolated.

Australian Finches numbered 51 with some good quality exhibits on show. Best adult was a Hecks Grassfinch owned by D Brown whilst J Mitchell’s Diamond Firetail was second best and M Howlett third with a Parson Finch. The Hecks was also second best adult owner bred in show. The current year bred section was headed by a Parson Finch benched by J Boulton who also took third best with a Fawn Parson Finch. D Brown staged second best current year bred with a Cherry Finch.

Other seedeaters numbered 45. Best adult was a cock Yellow Throated Cutthroat owned by N Elliston. This bird was also selected as best seedeater in show, best adult owner bred and third best exhibit. The same owner also benched the second best adult, this time a normal cock Cutthroat. Third best adult went to B&J Rudling with a Silver Java Sparrow. Best current year bred went to C Allaway with a Chocolate Silverbill whilst second and third best went to D Brown with a Fawn Java Sparrow and White Java Sparrow respectively. Only one waxbill was benched, a sign of the times unfortunately.

As expected, Softbill numbers were down again with 12 exhibits, a trend that is likely to continue. C Allaway won the award for best with a Scarlet Chested Sunbird that was also judged second best in show. Second best went to R Walvin with a Moustached Thrush with C Allaway taking third with a Touraco. There were no current year bred softbills entries.

Colby School entered the best Junior exhibit with a Cockatiel.

Zebra Finch entries were down numbering 28. Best champion adult went to D Brown with Normals whilst B & J Rudling were second and third with Fawns and Grey Cheeks. Best champion breeder also went to D Brown with Pied, and he also won second best with Whites. B&J Rudling were third with Normals The novice awards were all won by G Wincomb with all the section winners being Chestnut Flanked Whites. The leading novice adult exhibit was also selected as best Zebra Finch.

Best Bengalese and best champion was won by G & L Lockington whilst C Lambert staged best novice.