What's in the issue

The National Exhibition has to be the highlight at any time of year, and this week we have the key news and reactions to the big event at Stafford. It was a day when canaries dominated but a little foreign finch pipped the lot of them! But there was so much more to unpack. We’ve also found room for an expert guide on hand-rearing spoonbills the professional way; in-depth appraisals of the pictorial models for both the Gloster and Fife fancy canaries; a preview of this December’s Southern National show; assessments of the Lizard canary scene and the best way to show-prep; and thoughtful insights on parrot conservation and keeping doves.