As a direct result, it has been decided to discontinue the facility for taking payment via credit and debit cards with immediate effect.

All purchasers should therefore click on the advertisement for “The Challenge” on the home page, and follow the revised instructions for payments. Payments differ depending upon where the purchaser resides.

If, after reading the detailed instructions regarding purchasing, you have any queries, please contact Gerald directly and he will be happy to help.

I personally have to edit all the items that you read – either originated by me or submitted by our excellent contributors. This includes obtaining photographs of appropriate winners, or, photos of relevance to illustrate such articles.

The continuing popularity of this site has amazed both myself and my first class webmaster, Greg Kendall.

I have therefore decided to further expand the site and the team behind it, as it is the 21st century way of communicating a hobby such as ours, to all parts of the world.

I am therefore pleased to announce that Terry and Yvonne Tuxford will be the new International Editors – adding an additional dimension to this acclaimed website.

With more than 20 years experience at the editorial helm of Budgerigar World Magazine (founded by myself in 1982), and a combined 50 years of experience and knowledge of the hobby worldwide, they will be involved mainly on the international scene to bring additional worldwide focus to our magnificent hobby.

This is an exciting time in the development of this website. With Terry & Yvonne’s help, I can see the future possibility, once fully expanded, to market our hobby to the general public in all 70 plus countries where we know budgerigars are bred.

I hope that the site will become the definitive source of all things budgerigar throughout the modern world and will help to cultivate our great hobby into a myriad of untapped regions.

GSB

Entries will now be accepted on the Saturday morning from 7.45 a.m. until 9.45 a.m. for judging to commence at 10.30 a.m.

Bill, a long established fancier, died on 12th September 2011 after a long illness and time in hospital with breathing problems. He was 88 years of age.

Bill came from a pigeon racing family for generations and he initially started in pigeons as well, but after army service he started with budgerigars when he joined the London & Southern Counties Budgerigar Society in 1946 followed by the Budgerigar Society in 1951. He became an honorary life member of both.

When Bill started his hobby in 1946 he was living in the Ilford area and soon after promoted himself to champion status and became a well sought after judge.

He had a wonderful stud of Light Greens during the seventies when he was in partnership with Fred Wright; however, before that he had two previous partnerships with Don Hart and then with Ralph Wickens.

The partnership with Fred took them to a very high level winning many major awards including BIS with a young Light Green cock at the London & Southern Counties BS show in 1972.

The strength of the stud was evident at the 1973 Budgerigar Society Club Show when their Light Greens won a large class and also 2nd, 4th, 5th & 7th in the class.

After the dissolution of that partnership, Bill showed on his own for a short while, and then went into his fourth partnership with Ron Sellen during the 1990s till Ron passed away.

As mentioned, Bill was a life member of both the Budgerigar Society. and London & Southern Counties Budgerigar Society and in 1993 the London & Southern Counties Budgerigar Society honoured him by making him President.

Bill will always be remembered for his great knowledge in budgerigars and the strength of the stud that he carried over so many years until he gave them up few years ago because of his health.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife Anne, son Michael, his 2 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

We were close and in my budgerigar career I have much to thank him, not only for his friendship, but for his help on so many occasions.

Introduction

Fred Sherman was instantly likeable with a charisma that few possess.

A top fancier in every sense, but also having had a marvellous career in business, Fred passed away on the 29th December 2011 at his home in George, South Africa, which is located in the South African Cape region.

Fred and his wife Ailene, first came into the life of my wife and I, some 34 years ago. He arrived initially on his own at “Tanglewood”. I opened the door and as with all fanciers who met him, took an instant liking to this charming man. When his wife, Ailene, appeared a year later, again the bond with the four of us proved long lasting.

One of the major episodes for Joyce and I was Fred opening a massive door to South Africa for us. It was he who was the driving force to invite me to judge there and tour round aviaries in both Zimbabwe and South Africa – and for those who have never had that opportunity, Africa certainly grips you.

We were certainly gripped by this wonderful continent and have never ceased to appreciate Fred’s kindness and the considerable hospitality shown to us by all those we met.

Before the political unrest in Zimbabwe, our first visit occurred when it was still Rhodesia and its capital, Salisbury. Fred being the man he is, arranged for me to be on Rhodesian TV as there was a composite show being held in Salisbury called, “Mainly for Men”, with all sorts of displays to fit this title, including birds – a wonderful advertisement for the budgerigar hobby.

Leading Businessman

Fred began life in business at the age of 16 working in one of South Africa’s largest companies in a very junior capacity, but soon made his presence felt by having a passion for his work from day one.

His personal drive and ambition were to eventually lead to him being Managing Director of the Zimbabwe Associated Company.

Fred, on one occasion, was asked to host Robert Mugabe to lunch such was Fred’s position in Zimbabwe.

He then spent four years in the UK as chairman of his company, so having bought a home in Virginia Water we were able to share our hobby and friendship. This was a great help to us both as we covered both studs between us when either was away. He built a truly superb aviary with no expense spared.

On return to the company in South Africa, Fred was to find himself appointed to the main board.

Quite a rise having started as a lad of 16 years old and it shows what can be achieved by dedication and hard work.

In Retirement

In retirement in Johannesburg, he again renewed his attacking process with budgerigars and re-started, his UK Stud having been sold to Australia.

Budgerigars were imported by him from the UK to Johannesburg on completion of another smart aviary and of course Fred knew exactly what to expect – having the experience of breeding before when located in Zimbabwe.

I recall speaking later to Jorge Depina, the top Brazilian fancier known to many of us. Jorge is one of the great travelers in the budgerigar hobby and visited Fred three years later. I recall Jorge telling me that the birds Fred had by then, were to use his words:

“The finest adult birds, and young birds, that I have seen anywhere.”

Such was the skill of the breeder.

Nature Intervenes

A problem with a hip joint with wear and tear, turned very nasty after the new replacement connection became infected. The hip had to be re-opened and dealt with again and eventually re-joined again, only for the same infection to return once more.

Each time Fred was confined to bed for 3 months.

Finally, he decided enough was enough and he had his leg swinging freely after that, but could still drive very well.

He put the infection down to being bitten years before by, I think, a spider.

This situation, of course, left him with no alternative but to give up his passion for Show Budgerigars, being unable to stand at the same time as ringing chicks for example. Nevertheless, he was fit and well and that remained until he moved to George a few years ago. In recent times he unfortunately had further health problems.

Conclusion

Fred Sherman was a fine judge with a first class eye for quality to the millimetre. Few have that ability.

A regular lecturer, he was always good to listen to and collect ideas to apply to one’s own stud and with his business background had strong ideas on how clubs and societies should be organised.

As with all societies, be it budgerigars or golf clubs, changes for the better are sometimes rejected – something I know personally about in the UK.

However, that is life and Fred was aware of the phrase – “If you continue to organise a hobby in the way it has always been done, you will continue to get the results you have always had”. So true, all over the world.

Fred Sherman has been a great asset to our hobby.

He loved it and loved breeding a super bird as well as being a very good showman.

As it says in The Challenge – “A man who doesn’t lose his mind over something, has no mind to lose.”

Finally, on behalf of all fanciers worldwide, I send our deepest sympathy to Ailene and her children and grandchildren.

My abiding memory of Fred Sherman will always be of a fine South African gentleman which I am sure all who met him will endorse to the full.

We will miss you greatly Fred.

So I was not in the least bit surprised when I recently had a discussion with a very nice lady, Mrs Nicole Mitchell, at a show in the South East of the UK.

Nicole justifiably expressed her irritation, as a raw beginner, to what she saw as gaping holes in the structure and attitude of the show participants when she had attended our top shows in the UK.

Her gut feeling came down to:

Nobody has the foresight or common sense to deal with visitors to a show who know nothing about what we breeders actually do.

All the visitors can see are rows of birds which mean nothing to them or their families. And here we are trying to get new members for goodness sake!

I asked her to put her thoughts to me in writing and I would do my best to shock the hobby into action. Here are her observations.

From Mrs Nicole Mitchell

Dear Mr Binks,

Here are some points of the experiences of myself and my husband – as beginners in the exhibition side of budgerigars – who attend shows to become involved.

1. Assumptions are made that ALL visitors at shows are knowledgeable and well informed – this is incorrect
2. On attending several shows, we have found that there is NO information on what the “perfect” budgerigar of any given type should be like
3. What is a Lutino, Spangle, Cobalt, or Feather Duster???
4. Why aren’t there posters, drawings or models of what the judges are looking for?
5. Why is there no mentoring/education for beginners by an appointed member who can explain even the basics of quality of this or that bird and explain what the experienced breeders are trying to achieve?
6. Abbreviations are not explained
7. If you don’t go looking for shows or know they actually exist in a town or village on a given date, you cannot expect interested visitors to come through the door and even when they do (by chance ?) nobody is appointed to look them out and help them. It is obvious there is either nil (or at best very little) marketing outside the hobby
8. The UK Budgerigar Society could be more user friendly – even offering a “buddy” / mentor scheme for the inexperienced. What better way with computers to be able to ask “stupid” questions to your buddy than to e-mail him/her and ask away?
9. Experienced fanciers may have difficulty understanding what us newbies don’t know – simply because they do know! ‘The experienced’ walk in to a bird sale or show and fully understand what is happening. They understand what the abbreviations are all about; they understand what the judges are looking for. Us newbies don’t!
10. When you arrive at shows/bird sales, no-one asks if you need any help or what you are even there for. We have witnessed young families turning up at shows without being acknowledged, welcomed or indeed helped. They are left to their own devices to look around at cages of birds, not having a clue what they are looking at or for – and of course they leave within a few minutes.
11. It has been noted that experienced fanciers stick with their friends and do not make any attempt to introduce themselves to newcomers or strangers in order to offer their help. We have been at shows for several hours without so much as someone saying hello and apart from being asked for your entrance fee, no one speaks.
12. As for improving the appeal of the hobby, why isn’t there more publicity? Surely some of the high achievements made by top birds are worthy of a mention in the press or local news channel? As with anything in life, if you want quality you have to pay for it – this is news, and anything that can get parents or their young children interested has to be a good move towards increasing membership.
13. Why not supply magazines free of charge to places where there is a captive audience – doctors, dentists, coffee shops?
14. Publications, both hard copy and on the Internet write of help for beginners – but then don’t give full details. An example of this is soaking seed for it to sprout. We have seen ‘soak seed overnight’ (tried that, it just leaves damp seed); ‘Don’t leave sprouted seed in with birds for too long’ (how long is too long)? We need advising step by step, don’t assume we know anything – because we don’t.

Gerald Binks comments:

I recently wrote an article entitled “Hobby Participation: Halting The Decline?” on this site, which received the greatest number of replies to any single article.

Everyone who commented on the article fully backed all that I said, without exception, but how does one get action when so called “leaders” in the hobby worldwide simply do not promote the hobby outside of itself to the public at large.

There is a lack of drive from the top in all societies and clubs – given perhaps a few exceptions.

Mrs Mitchell makes justifiable observations. How many more like her is the hobby losing because it is failing to engage with those new to the hobby or visitors to our shows?

As a bare minimum, I suggest that every show needs:

• A small stand to be present giving advice and information to visitors
• Experienced fanciers should be appointed to take visitors around and explain “The Challenge” we all face – and the pleasure we receive from being involved in breeding and showing budgerigars.

Next time you champions are standing in the aisles at a show, turn round, and if you see folk you do not recognise, introduce yourself and ask if you can help?

You get that in a store from the most junior of staff – why not at a Budgerigar Show?

Monitoring projects have shown that over thirty species of native wild birds in this country are dying from avian malaria.

Laszlo Garamszegi is a world expert on avian malaria, and his study has looked at infection data in over 3,000 species of wild birds worldwide since 1944.

Epidemic

In Britain, whole populations are showing massively increased mortality rates from the disease as avian malaria reaches epidemic proportions.

The house sparrow, for example, has recently shown an infection rate of 31%, as against a figure of just 9.4% in 1960. In this one species alone, the overall population, currently calculated as approximately 13.4million, has declined since 1970 by a staggering 67%.

Other wild species known to be suffering similar rises in infection rates include the tawny owl and the song thrush.

A survey by the British Trust for Ornithology found that numbers of nightingales have fallen by 90% over the past 40 years and concerns have been raised that the species may face extinction.

Climate Change

A one-degree Celsius rise in global temperatures has been sufficient to favour the rapid growth of infection-carrying mosquito populations and the consequent huge increase in the incidence of the parasitic disease that attacks oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

To put this in the context of implications for breeders: It seems very recent indeed that threat of H5N1 variant avian flu put breeders on their guard against opportunities for the transmission of pathogens to budgerigars. Shows were cancelled at the peak of the concern, there was much greater emphasis on bio-security, and the government imposed sanctions that restricted the movement of birds.

While there is no evidence to suggest that avian malaria can mutate into a form that can infect humans, the risks posed to budgerigar studs, particularly those where birds have access to outdoor flights, are as great.

Official Concern

Ben Sheldon, professor of Ornithology at Oxford University is concerned because, as he says:

Malaria is a significant cause of mortality, but how it is transmitted is not straightforward.

His concern is echoed by Matt Wood, a bio scientist at the University of Gloucester, who has tracked malaria amongst blue tits.

He believes that there is no way of knowing how virulent a new strain of the disease could become, because, as he says:

Things are changing very fast and we need to understand much more about which mosquito species can transmit the disease.

Protecting Your Stud

Until more is known about this killer and effective, targeted strategies can be identified to limit its contagion rate, it probably makes sense to budgerigar breeders to adopt the same rigorous regimes to protect their birds as were used when H5N1 avian flu threatened.

At that time, the UK Government department DEFRA advised that breeders should cover open flights and outdoor aviaries to avoid contamination from the droppings of wild birds passing overhead.

In fact, this is regarded by many as good practice since birds, like other species, can carry and transmit many infections by this means.

In order to avoid contamination by the transference, into the birdroom, of droppings and other materials, DEFRA further advised that anyone entering should first thoroughly wash their hands outside in a disinfectant solution, (e.g. Virkon S or F10) and step into a trough containing the disinfectant to remove any possible contaminants. Visitors to the birdroom must also comply with this practice.

Tabloid Threat

Since this article was published in the Sunday Times, and similar coverage appeared in other newspapers, it is possible that there could be an “alarmist” reaction among the general population, sparked by tabloids with hysterical headlines of the “Budgie-with-malaria-killed-our-kitten” variety.

As with the avian flu outbreak, neighbours should be made aware of the precautions that have been taken in order to reassure them that your birds do not constitute any kind of threat.

Further Information

For more information on the spread of avian malaria:

• Sunday Times article Note: £1 Subscription charge to access!
• Avian malaria and climate change – The Economist

Today, we are delighted to announce that this pipeline has been further boosted by the launch of our own Facebook page.

The page will feature all new posts published on Budgerigar.co.uk, enabling Facebook users to quickly access the latest news, information and photographs.

Click on the link below to view our new Facebook page:

• Budgerigar.co.uk on Facebook

Please help us to spread the word about our fantastic hobby – don’t forget to click on the “Like” button on our new Facebook page!

Due to popular demand, Reinhard has arranged for the DVD to be distributed in the UK through fellow breeders, Tom & Andrew Luke.

To obtain your copy (UK only), please contact Tom and/or Andrew at the following e-mail address:

For those outside the UK, please contact Mr Eelco Meyjes (South Africa) at the following e-mail address:

The Budgerigar Society held its AGM on 7th May with a difference. As part of a forward drive to meet the membership, the Budgerigar Society held the first of its two spring events at Woking, Surrey, in conjunction with a show, lectures and a Sales Day over two days duration. The AGM attracted a good attendance of 75 members from all the ten area societies which was the highest for many years. As last year there were no rule changes to consider so it was a straight forward meeting with the usual formalities of an AGM.

The outgoing President, Dave Herring, opened the meeting by welcoming all those who attended and thanked them for giving him the honour of being President of this great Society during the past 12 months which passed so quickly. He commented that he received many blessings during the year starting with his inauguration 12 months ago when many past presidents attended including his recent departed brother John. He reflected on his memorable term in office witnessing many ‘grass roots’ events which have hinted at signs of sturdy growth and how impressed he had been by the fervour of many newcomers to our wonderful fancy. The Budgerigar Society continues to stage remarkable events as the five yearly Conventions, the yearly Club Show and now- as a glorious finale to his year of office – this wonderful weekend at Woking.

The Chairman asked the meeting to observe a minute’s silence in memory of members who had passed away during the year and made special reference to John Herring and Derrick Bowley, both past presidents of the Society and to Alf Shaw past member of the General Council.

The Minutes of the 2010 AGM held on 9th May, had been published in the July/August issue of The Budgerigar. These were accepted by those who attended the last AGM, with no matters arising.

Chairman’s Report

The Society’s Chairman, George Booth, had tabled an extensive report covering all the Society’s activities and decisions since the last AGM and members had the opportunity to read the report and ask questions; but no questions were raised.

The report highlighted the three main sources of income (subscriptions, ring sales and sponsorship) and expenditure (office, publications and general expenses).

The membership by the end of 2010 was 2777 which sadly reflected a drop of 44 from the 2009 figure; but 279 new members were recruited with 41 re-joining the Society. Although the fall in membership is slightly lower than previous years it is still a matter of concern for everyone connected with the Society. The Chairman informed members that the General Council is aware of the other attractions that more often than not demand far less commitment than keeping live stock which requires 24/7 commitment but we must find ways of making this wonderful hobby of ours even more attractive by ensuring that we have a friendly society putting away our personal differences that so often hinder the Society’s progress and we need to promote the fancy and not continually criticise it.

The Chairman also highlighted the success of last year’s Convention at Southport as well as the Club Show at Doncaster which were both superb weekends and a great credit to the Society and the many members who organised both events. The Chairman also informed members that the General Council has already decided on another Convention in 2015 to celebrate the Society’s 90th Anniversary.

The Chairman concluded his report by thanking the various officers of the Society and the General Council for working hard for the Society during the past 12 months.

New President

Dave Herring handed over the very impressive Presidential Chain of Office to the new President Dave Hislop, a great worker for the fancy acting as show manager of the Club Show for so many years. Dave then presented Dave Herring with the past President’s chain.

Dave stated that he was honoured and privileged to be the President and thanked members for their good wishes during the life changing time that he and his wife are experiencing at the moment.

Vice President

Roy Aplin from Dorset was nominated by the General Council and, as there were no other nominations from the meeting, Roy was elected as the new Vice President and by the process of progression he will be the Society’s President in 2013. The new President presented the Vice President’s chain to Roy Aplin and also the President Elect’s chain to Maurice Roberts.

Silver Bird

The General Council in their meeting in April awarded the Silver Bird to Janice Al-Nasser for her meritorious services to the Budgerigar Society and the fancy in general.

Life Membership

In accordance with Rule 4(d), the following were confirmed as Life Members of the Society in recognition of 40 years unbroken membership:

• Mrs J M Agar
• Tom Agar
• Mrs Peggy Andrews
• Dennis Brown
• Tony Hayes
• John Maddy
• Ron Menday
• Robert Millan
• Dave Newell
• Jim Tulley
• H P Webb

Under Society General Rule 4(e.i.) the General Council put forward two nominations, Geoff Capes and Pete Hutchinson, for Honorary Life Membership which the members approved unanimously.

Rates of Subscription & Joining Fee

It was announced that the General Council recommended that the rates of subscription be increased by 50p for 2012 to £25.00 for the single subscription, with the remaining subscriptions to be increased in line with General Rule 7. The joining fee to remain at £5. The proposal, when put to the vote, was carried by a majority. Auditors – these to be W. Osborne & Co.

2012 AGM

The Chairman informed the meeting that this AGM had been the first to be held away from the Budgerigar Society Office in Northampton for many years and the first to be held in conjunction with another event. It is hoped that this Woking Event will be followed by another event next year in the Northern part of the country, the date and venue of next year’s AGM will be published as soon as it is confirmed.