More European news in this issue: we lead with a report from the recent World Show in Portugal, where 22,000 showbirds were to be admired, and fanciers convened from all over the planet. It’s such a joyful account that it makes you want to book your trip for next year now. More locally we hear from a “regular” at the Welsh National who attended – and appreciated – the recent event there. We learn about how to offer water-based additives to budgies, and also how not to! Our Border canary roundup includes end-of-season show news, and in the native bird world we profile the chaffinch in depth. Waterbirds, comment and opinion, and an expert overview of parrot importations round out a varied edition.

More European news in this issue: we lead with a report from the recent World Show in Portugal, where 22,000 showbirds were to be admired, and fanciers convened from all over the planet. It’s such a joyful account that it makes you want to book your trip for next year now. More locally we hear from a “regular” at the Welsh National who atte....