RN 1
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Welcome!
My first introduction to Budgerigars was during 1994 and I quickly became fascinated by these little feathered creatures. Unfortunately, I only kept them for 2 years as work commitments at the time made it virtually impossible to look after them. However,during 1997 my employer offered me early retirement and it was, as they say 'an offer I could not refuse'. Retiring in March 2000 and knowing about it for the preceding 2 years I was able to plan ahead and decide what I was going to do and how I would make the best of my freedom from paid employment. I enjoy a game of golf and I am also a keen gardener but I knew that I wanted to return to the hobby.
I was fortunate to have the partnership of Jim Laurie and Robbie Knox on my doorstep and they were of tremendous help. Most will know that Jim enjoyed great success during the mid-nineties. Sadly they have now left the hobby.
Roy Wilson of Ayr was again very helpful and although we live some 50 miles apart we are in constant touch by telephone and visit each others aviary frequently.
Very useful birds were obtained from both aviaries and in addition I visited E. Sigston of Essex and again purchased some good looking birds. Having obtained what I thought to be birds of quality the task is now to start and put all the pieces of the jig-saw together. I wonder how long that will take?
Since then I have added further quality birds from the studs of Donald Burnett of Glenrothes Fife, and Alistair McPhail of West Kilbride Ayrshire. Thankfully the outcrosses obtained from both have knitted in extremely well.
During 2004 I won my first Challenge Certificate at Land of Burns with a Yellow Face cock and followed this up with Best Opposite Sex Young Bird at The Kingdom of Fife with a Spangle cock. Another Challenge Certificate followed at Dumfries with a Young Grey cock. The joy of winning my first C.C. will stay with me for-ever as will my success at The Kingdom. To cap it all I was fortunate to be Joint Scottish Beginner Breeder of the Year 2004, tying with my friend Paul Thomson who hails from Forres.
The 2005 Show season was again most enjoyable and I won three Major awards in the Novice section. Winning Best Novice Any Age at both Dunbarton BS and the Kingdom of Fife BS. This was followed by Best Novice Young Bird at Lanarkshire Central BS.
2006 was very special as I was thrilled to win my first Best Young Bird in Show at Tayside B.S. It proved to be a very successful year as I was also Buckton's Scottish Novice Breeder of the Year.
My last year as a Novice was a truly great year surpassing my wildest dreams. Four Best Young Bird in Show awards, seven Best Novice Young Bird and six Best Any Age awards, plus nine Challenge Certificates. 2007 is a year to remember.
I now look forward to the Intermediate section and the challenge ahead.
For a better insight check out my Show Results.