Cage & Aviary Birds November 5, 2025

CLUBS AT THE NATIONAL in October, the Lancashire Canary Club reformed, having its first AGM with eight members in attendance (see C&AB October 29, page 16.) Graham Bradbrook was elected treasurer and David Deans will supply rosettes as well as six new trophies to be awarded to club members at the three patronage shows. Paul Woodward was elected secretary of the Lancashire CC and he spoke to us about the start of a new chapter for the club. Katherine: Who was the driving force behind the club getting back together? Paul: Lancs exhibitors are a small but keen group, and we all know each other well, regularly keeping in touch. Some members in conversation raised various issues regarding the breed standard, stock availability, showing procedures, and cages, etc. And we…

TREASURED BIRD HIDE DESTROYED IN FIRE A BIRD HIDE was burnt to the ground on October 22 with damages of £12,000, says Humberside Police. It happened on Nev Cole Way, a public footpath near West Marsh Lane, Barton-upon-Humber at 10.15pm. Police believe the fire was started deliberately. Sgt Sarah Jackson told the BBC: “This doesn't just destroy property, it takes away a peaceful space that families, birdwatchers and nature lovers have cherished.” Humberside Police are appealing for information. APHA STRENGTHENS PREVENTATIVE BIRD-FLU MEASURES FROM October 30, keepers of 50 or more birds in several regions must keep their birds housed. The regions are Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbys, Durham, East Riding of Yorks, Greater Manchester, Lancs, Leics, Lincs, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorks, Northumberland, Notts, Rutland, Shropshire, South Yorks, Staffs, Suffolk, Tyne &…

EXHIBITIONS A RECENT EXHIBITION – “The Natural Eye 2025” – showcased the work of 30 Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) as part of a year-long project capturing the rewilding of a previously intensely farmed site in West Norfolk. The SWLA annual exhibition took place from October 16-25 at Mall Galleries in London and is now viewable online. It has over 300 works (ranging from painting and sculpture to original prints and field sketches) by leading British wildlife artists. This year, The SWLA Massingham Heath Project was said to be an exhibition highlight, featured in a dedicated “Out of the Frame” room. Launched in May 2025, the project has brought together the Society's member artists to document the seasons, wildlife and transformation of Massingham Heath as it is rewilded. Through close…

SEABIRDS RSPB SCOTLAND IS calling for help to stop the building of Berwick Bank offshore windfarm (News, August 13). Back in July, the Scottish Government granted consent to SSE Renewables for Berwick Bank – dubbed the ‘world's largest windfarm’ – despite warnings from RSPB Scotland and many others of the catastrophic impact on seabirds. This decision risks disaster for many species, including Red-listed gannets, kittiwakes and puffins. Alongside the National Trust for Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society, the Scottish Seabird Centre and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, RSPB Scotland has written to Scotland's First Minister John Swinney to stop Berwick Bank. Forecasts show that it will kill tens of thousands of seabirds in its lifetime. The Scottish Government's own assessment shows Berwick Bank is predicted to kill 2,808 guillemots, 814 kittiwakes,…

CONSERVATION HIGHLY ENDANGERED IN its native Bali, Mitchell's lorikeets have just a handful of birds remaining in the wild. Now, 40 bred at Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Cornwall have formed the core of a project to restore them. The park has been working with this nectar-loving parrot (Trichoglossus forsteni mitchellii) since 2011. Over time, the park has become home to the world's largest group. With over 120 chicks reared, Paradise Park's close connection with the World Parrot Trust gave the opportunity to work with local partners in Bali. Young birds from Cornwall would be at the centre of breeding and release projects in two locations. “Several pairs produced eggs very quickly and nine chicks have already hatched - David Woolcock, Curator Staff documented every stage of the breeding process and…

I KNOW I'VE mentioned it previously, but this year it has felt like the foreign bird show season is completely compacted now into October. This is with the loss of one event and a change of date for another September show I try to attend. The month became quite quiet compared to previous years. That did mean I was able to prep for Stafford, and despite it being much smaller than before, my daughter and I had a great day out. Naturally, first port of call was the AFS stand where I took the most cages ever with sales birds. Thanks to the excellent team who managed to sell all bar one pair – it made me a very happy man. Having my daughter with me was a tremendous help to…