In 1968, my young family, my wife Joyce and I moved to Virginia Water in Surrey, not far from London Airport. The house was named Tanglewood and when first seen it lived up to its name. Years of work were to follow, but the aviary, made of cedarwood, had to take priority. One of the first visitors was Joachim Schwartsberg, the famous German fancier.

 

Originally 40 feet [12.2m] by 10 feet [3.05m], it was subsequently increased to double that length some years later. Housing 66 breeding cages constructed by Reinhard Molkentin, these cages are the last word in cage presentation. The Jo Mannes aviary is also fitted out with the same cages, as well as the U.K. Quarantine at London Airport for the U. K. budgerigar exports to Australia.

 

In 1980, a normal grey BA23 cock won Best Breeder at the Budgerigar Society Club Show. In 1984, a skyblue was awarded Best Adult and Best Opposite Sex-in-Show, at the same event. 1987 saw what other fanciers are pleased to recall as one of the five best birds ever bred up to that time. This was a grey green cock BA23 - 43 -83 given Best Breeder in Show, but remarkably, in the opinion of the fancy, not Best in Show. The following year at the Budgerigar World Open Championship at Blackpool, the same bird finally proved it's quality where it took the supreme award.

Good grey greens have always had a special place at Tanglewood, but as is common in Budgerigars, you also need some luck. In 1986, a modest looking pair in cage number 16, bred a total of 12 chicks, each of outstanding quality. The following year they bred another seven. For many years this has been referred to as the "16" Line and birds sold from this line have in turn bred show winners. Jim Laurie from Scotland is a classic case, his outstanding wins at the B.S. World Championship in the 90's being credited, by him, to this same line.

 

In 1997 I lost two great friends, Jim Moffat and Mick Wheeler, both of whom had very fine studs, with the Moffat Stud of light greens being perhaps the best in the World. On Jim's death the stud was gifted to me by Margie Moffat for which I will always be grateful. The Moffat birds with their superb width of face, depth of mask and frontal lift were crossed with the 16 line grey greens, but gradually the Stud became all light greens and skyblues. In recent times other colour outcrosses became necessary and trips to South Africa to buy from Reinhard Molkentin and to Europe to purchase from Daniel Lutolf, two of the worlds most experienced fanciers, have paid great dividends. Today the aviary can be found with all the Normal Series plus superb spangles all of the highest qulaity and in great demand worldwide.

 

"The Challenge" is always there and that is why my enthusiasm for breeding exhibition quality budgerigars has never waned.

 

 

An extract from the web site of Gerald Binks.

What an awesome set up!!! Thanks for that Daz very interesting reading

Oh my, what a great set up...

Excellent topic Daz. Do you have Gerald Binks' new book ? I have the first one but not the new one and I was wondering what the difference is between the two and if it's worth getting the new one.

Also PM me. I have a new book for you coming from England.

Bubbles I am prepared to ring England and speak with Mr Binks to ask to buy his book at $600au but I think my wife will kill me if I did.

 

I have only once seen the 1st addition at a show as a prize for the Best of Show. oh well we can dream.

The Challenge

 

"The Challenge", Breeding Championship Budgerigars. by Gerald S Binks and first published in November,1997, is the accepted finest book ever published on all aspects of the hobby. When it first appeared, 437 copies were snapped up at The Budgerigar Society World Championship Show that year . Since then some 3000 first editions have been sold. Now that first edition is out of print, second hand ,signed copies in good condition ,currently change hands in 2006 at £190.00, when available.

Edited November 28, 200618 yr by daz

Yeah I wish, to have a setup like that.

 

In my dreams

Oh geeze!!! goodness! Now that's a set up or a set up!! I'd love to be one of his budgies!!! lucky birds.

I am green with envy!!! Oh well we can all dream!!

Bump

wow how cool is that set up

One can only hope to have a setup half as good as his.

 

Mr Binks has been breeding for a very long time and I'm sure his first setup would be not that different from our own at the moment.

Anyone have any thoughts on the lighting he has in his flight? I have been contemplating putting a flouro in my indoor flight but was thinking I needed to protect it somehow, but maybe not?

An amazing breeding room. Look at the size of it. Something I hope to achieve one day.

Bubbles I am prepared to ring England and speak with Mr Binks to ask to buy his book at $600au but I think my wife will kill me if I did.

 

I have only once seen the 1st addition at a show as a prize for the Best of Show. oh well we can dream.

The Challenge

 

"The Challenge", Breeding Championship Budgerigars. by Gerald S Binks and first published in November,1997, is the accepted finest book ever published on all aspects of the hobby. When it first appeared, 437 copies were snapped up at The Budgerigar Society World Championship Show that year . Since then some 3000 first editions have been sold. Now that first edition is out of print, second hand ,signed copies in good condition ,currently change hands in 2006 at £190.00, when available.

 

Ring Australian Birdkeeper Magazine , You can get his new Book , signed Copy for $145 Australian dollars

Anyone have any thoughts on the lighting he has in his flight? I have been contemplating putting a flouro in my indoor flight but was thinking I needed to protect it somehow, but maybe not?

 

MB I have two fluorscent fittings in my flights. They are weatherproof enclosed types.