Roland

A good offer and a great reply from Sharkfin. Well done lads.

No need to say any more, truth is truth and will out eh!

Well John I never did it myself correct. Never was one of my interests. But know many others that did.

I suppose you only 'Dunked' them then. Marvellous how if one DOESN'T know, or like something how they resort to scorn and try belittlement. Don't wash of course as YOU not knowing or able to understand, doesn't make it not true.... Just shows up how you hate your limitations lol

Could well be billt. Was of only a secondary interest so to speak so .... Mind the sticking with glue etc. is and was a 100% certainty and happening. Indeed many was the 'Wild' ones caught . Obviously due to their stronger colour etc.

He is now, but keeps others. From Thrapston Northants. But has certainly had a wide variety in his time. He will be 66 this year. Yes the Cock Bull finch has apparently been bred in captivity so I'm led to believe. I have never said as much as I am not up dated in this regards,... Was often tried in massive Aviaries at one time. BUT wasn't in the 1940's 1950's 1960's etc. How it is done now I have no idea. Heard tell of artificial inseminations at one time.

John don't let ignorance of knowledge blind you to being silly. Was rife in the 50's. Great showmen like George Upex of Warmington, one of Britain's' finest both as a showman and judge. Now Keith Ferry who was well taught via George. Don Sharpe, natures' craftiest did it often. How do you think these birds were caught? Netting! DO you think that a Cock Bull Finch mated in captivity? Don't spout about what you know - obviously, know nothing about. Jimmy White's brother is a well up keeper in Scotland. Learned and knows of George etc. ASK him and stop insulting. As for the planet, feet are firmly planted on earth. Gosh and none so blind .... eh!

Can be found any where. Bristol was the last one illegally culled I believe. Nest in trees or cliffs etc. They protect their territory from other birds of prey. This they patrol at night. Have strong holds in Scandinavia etc. Often seen here too now.... The RSPB have a constant watch for them of course. The fellow on the video spread untruths... if believable. Numbers now of course far exceed past times. Two things he must know, but side steps is A. keepers etc. kept their numbers down. B. there was far, far, more birds in days gone by. Fields were full od Lap Wings and one would see countless in flock eventide in the full. Hedgerows were alive with birds - even when 'Egging' was allowed. We could collect Moorhen / coots and duck eggs and the lakes still abounded. Winter time gave us a plentiful of variety in numbers during the snow in our gardens. Sparrows were so plentiful they colonised the bushes and trees both in town and the countryside. One could go out and glue the shrubs, hedges etc. over night and have an array of finches etc. for the next days show. When placed in a cage and a bucket of water threw over them ... My! They stood to attention and showed well all day lol.

One only has to visit Dafra's website and contact them. Would prove I'm right as have seen their reply personally ... Via a very good fancier who is on here... though very rarely now due to ill health.

Very good and reliable. Cost wise took all the beating. Will be missed. I wish them a very happy retirement.

When here the RSPB illegally cull them. Also spout horrid distortions of truth. Dafra says any bird bred, or breeding in this country is classed as native. Hence the culling is illegal.

Thanks all. I have three pencilled in now... more than enough to peeve the better half off lol. Have met Jim Savage a couple of time. Great lad and very genuine.

Thanks Walter, looking forward to it. A marvellous sight was turning the top of the hill and seeing Oban for the first time... Made the wife repeat it 3 time lol. Thought i'd make you happy Andy ... see am always thinking of you lol

Well am off to Scotland for a week in April. from 18 /19th like. Staying at Saltcoats actually. Have one loft visit arranged. Would like another if any one is interested in spending a couple of hours with a Englishman lol. I will of course have to leave time spare for the wife and I to go sight seeing. Any offers would be appreciated.

Another problem I've just experienced regards high nests Showman -and I nearly missed the hatchings. Was ill and had a day or so from loft last week. But so high never saw them or eggs, had to look under and into the nest box. Saw them and rung them on high nest. Nigh to top of box. Found one had died yesterday .... had slipped of the top and down to floor. Parents never noticed whatever and one down. So mate will be singled reared.

A sad time for you Tam. Mind you will have great memories and achievements to look back on ... many of us won't! Whether you can make worthwhile remedies remains to be seen .... Let's hope so mate.

http://pigeonairpatrol.com/

Yeah true that. Surprising thing is that if the English were given the vote they'd be independent now. Likewise Wales.

Worst problem than s/h if not careful. You can 'Shift' a hawk easily. Crows damage is prolonged and far worst if they are a mind. bWill wipe out the y/b's when out - or will go into loft - when of a mind.

Interesting post Del Boy. And no we didn't forget 'You forget, Scotland got the furthest in the World cup'!

Oh yes. Thanks.

I think them So Called soccer sportsmen who peed in the glasses in public should be hauled before the criminal courts. Despicable at the highest level. Brain dead cretins. Maybe talented footballers, but as human beings they rank below scum... And sadly they think that they were smat and being clever. If a 8 yo don't that he wouldn't be let of scot free and put wise. So should they.

Yes Andy. I often have look to no avail lol. Wanted to ask the Scots what percentage of improve do they think that they have achieved. Whether it is down to the pack, or new manager or both. When I was a lad we learnt very much that the Scots were a nation of tradition and pride. When later in life participating, and watching it was obvious that (Mostly) they held pride above all and individually. Jock Stein was a master. He build a side from players who were born and raise within a mile or so of each other. He stated that they talk the same language from the same page ... and went on to achieve greatness. The English top sides often have had brilliant scots in the engine room.

where the Rugby Union and Scotland beating France... a marked showing of improvement, topic went?

Well that was more like the Old Scottish Pride. They dug in deep and came out on top. Well Done the Jocks.