My first Heads of the Valleys B.S. aviary visit to the home and birdroom of Dave Starling.

I was one of the first to arrive, at just after seven o'clock, so had the immaculate birdroom virtually to myself. First impression was one of order and all birds not breeding were in large stock cages, segregated by colour. The layout is very easy to get around and in addition to the cages, there are two good size flights, containing mainly the youngsters, of which there were many showing promise.
Of interest were a set of plastic training cages, at eye level, with some very colourful judging sticks, carved with budgie heads on the end...

Mainly normals; there were some excellent blues, greens and greys for us to scrutinize, showing quality in depth throughout the stud,with some great Opalines and Pieds mixed in. Also on show were a few good Spangles and a lovely Golden Face caught my eye.
Dave was very helpful in answering my questions and I learned one or two tricks of the trade, which I'm definitely going to introduce to my modest set-up.

Not long before the other ten or twelve members arrived and the conversation really took off, covering loads of topics, mostly Budgie related, of course...
I think this is where beginners like myself really learn the nitty gritty of being in the fancy. The breeding successes, and sometimes failures, of novices and champions alike, as well as the politics and personalities, those who help and those to avoid.
The judging contest comprised of six, very evenly matched, greys; a challenge for even the most experienced fanciers, I'm sure. These are great training grounds for beginners, we might not get it right, but having the opportunity to judge quality birds and slowly learn to recognise that quality is a valuable, as well as enjoyable experience.
As if all this wasn't enough, there were drinks and a barbecue to accompany all the chat and banter that continued, I'm sure,well after I left, just before ten o'clock.

 

Many thanks to Dave and his wife for their tremendous hospitality, it was a great evening...

budgies, good company and great food and drink ... what more could you ask for.

Dan Thomas.