What's in the issue

As winter unfolds, we focus  on a summer softbill: the lively common whitethroat. This dapper little native has been bred successfully in 2025 by Nigel Higgins, who this week tells us exactly how he did it. Two rounds were reared, which is more than wild whitethroats usually manager, so Nigel obviously got it right! Still with softbills, we review the year’s sales and shows for these gorgeous (but increasingly scarce) species. We hear again from Scots fancy ace Matt Atkinson, admire the world’s fabulous fruit doves, and follow the spectacular recent budgie career of former top canary man Chris Smith! And we also visit bird markets in today’s Hong Kong and the Dublin of yesteryear - plus news and Club News.