What's in the issue

What are your top might-have-beens? Austin Middlemiss asks the question this week and offers his own most aching near-miss in birdkeeping: his precious pair of Siberian thrushes. That would be a breeding high for anyone; even putting together a pair was a major project. And they never came together… yet we’re left feeling that it’s better to have birdkeeping ambitions that don’t come off than none at all! On a more modest level of ambition, British bird novice Andy Johnson updates us on his much-desired progress with breeding greenfinches. We have topical how-tos on the moult and show-prepping for canaries; a masterclass on mid-season breeding tweaks for Bengalese; a mixed-collection update from our man in the North Downs; a portrait of a very classy waterbird… and lots more including as a bonus a bit of DEFRA news!