This week we present the best of British, with a special focus on our wonderful native hardbills and softbills, and those who keep them. We learn about the drama of breeding the delightful wheatear and a rarer species in aviculture: the tree pipit. We introduce the challenges and rewards of that favourite little finch, the redpoll, and pay tribute to a past master of the British bird fancy with a study of that wonderful and predatorial songbird, the red-backed shrike. Two of our regular correspondents give their account of what seems set to be a classic show season with British birds. And then there are the partridges: English – and French, just for balance! In addition to our special section we focus on canaries (judging in Guernsey and breeding Yorkies and Fifes), budgerigars, Bengalese and parrots. Plus some outstanding show reports and all the usual regulars.

This week we present the best of British, with a special focus on our wonderful native hardbills and softbills, and those who keep them. We learn about the drama of breeding the delightful wheatear and a rarer species in aviculture: the tree pipit. We introduce the challenges and rewards of that favourite little finch, the redpoll, and pay tribu....