Feature Articles

New Zealand's First Finch Convention. - From NZ BIRDZ, Issue 13 - Nov-Dec 2003

After more than twelve months of preparation, the first New Zealand Finch Convention finally arrived. In fact this was only the second finch convention that has ever been held anywhere, Australia’s finch only convention being the first. On Friday, 26th Convention committee members arrived at Waipuna Conference Centre to make sure seating and provision for speakers and other things were all in place for an 8.00am start on Saturday.

SATURDAY
A table was organised outside the lecture room for delegates to register upon entry and inside I was able to set-up a table for NZ Birdz. Included in this display was a copy of Russell Kingston’s book “Keeping and Breeding Finches and Seed-eaters”. Delegates upon registration were handed an information pack that also included a copy of the Riverina Finch Club’s magazine. President of the club David Holmes, and the editor Noeline Annetts her husband Alan, who is also on the clubs committee, travelled from Australia to be at the convention.

Convention Delegates

BEHIND THE SCENES
While Russell and Indra Kingston were checking their presentation, unfortunately some technical problems with their laptop computer were encountered. This meant that the speakers had to be slightly rearranged from the printed program, which caused a momentary bit of panic, however, with cooperation from speakers, although a little late in starting, the program proceeded. This technical problem which would have also affected Russell’s evening presentation, was rectified by replacing the cord between the computer and the data projector, which bought great relief all round.

After a welcome by Master of Ceremonies, May Foster, I was pleased to release a special edition of NZ Birdz magazine, titled “Just Finches”. Read about this magazine on page 20!! First on the program was Kevin Foster with his talk on “Finches, today and yesterday”. Although Kevin stressed that no blame should be placed on anyone when we considered how many species of finches have been lost, unless we changed our attitudes and started to utilise the experience that others had gained, in years to come there may be very few finch species left to enjoy.

Speakers up front

Glen Holland, Auckland Zoo’s newly appointed Director, gave us insight into the natural habitat of finches. Having extensive experience at visiting not only locations in South Africa but also in
Australia, he helped us appreciate the sort of climate and terrain that different species flourished in, in the wild. This was accompanied by a number of slides that visually helped us all appreciate the conditions where various finch species are found.

Ian Malcolmson gave an informative presentation about the previous importation of finches into New Zealand from Australia before the ban. Ian imported a couple of lots of finches himself and told us that if the paperwork was all completed accurately, there was little problem in getting the birds into New Zealand. Next, Cathy Clark gave an indepth look at her and husband, Dave’s, many years experience in breeding the Red Hooded Siskin. It was interesting listening to how they tried various ways to achieve breeding success.

Dr Abdul Moeed,the next speaker, is the Senior Scientific Advisor with ERMA. He is the one who is responsible for looking at the risks involved should anyone want to bring into New Zealand a species that has not been here before. Apparently it must be proven that a species was here in New Zealand prior to 1998 and that at least some of them are left in the country, or they would be considered a new organism and require rather expensive research and approval to determine whether or not serious risks would be posed to existing animals, birds and environment, before a decision could be made. It helped all appreciate just how complicated governmental systems are.

My presentation looked at the challenges facing New Zealand in trying to keep and breed finches, as well as taking a visual tour around the country, looking at many of the aviaries and set-ups used by finch breeders. Next Lance Alsop, with the use of slides, gave us a look at how he has successfully kept and bred a number of Auroras in his aviaries over the years, as well as a look at the White-headed mutation that has appeared in his young birds.

Graeme De Joux, with assistance from his wife Susan, gave us insight into the White-breasted Gouldians with which he is having success. With help from an overhead projector and photos, he emphasised that visual White-breasted Gouldians cannot be bred from two splits. To breed a visual White-breasted, at least one bird in the mated pair must be a White-breasted.

Viewing Graeme De Joux aviaries

At last Russell Kingston was able to give his first presentation on “Saving What We Have”. Although the first part of his presentation focused on preserving those species currently held in New Zealand aviaries, the second part of the presentation looked at the way he managed his own finch collection, with many useful, practical tips that we were all able to take note of and possibly use with our own birds.
The final presentation, again by Glen Holland, took a brief look at our desire to save the finch species left in New Zealand. Glen stressed that we are really preserving our finches rather than conserving them. Except for a couple of species, none of the finches we keep are endangered in their native situation, so there is no need for us to think we are undertaking a conservation program.

Glen looked at the principles the Zoo works on, to help us see how we could benefit, by applying the same principles in saving our finches. No longer do zoos work independently in trying to outdo one another, but through cooperation with other zoos, endangered animals are loaned and swapped for breeding purposes and the betterment of the species. This is the sort of cooperation needed by all finch breeders in New Zealand, to unselfishly share not only birds, but more importantly knowledge, so that finch species can be increased in number.

That concluded the main part of the convention presentations and most enjoyed a drink before the dinner was started at 6.30pm in another room.

DINNER AND EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
After a great buffet meal, Russell Kingston presented another PowerPoint resentation that this time worked properly. It was, as Russell described, a travelogue of his recent expedition into the Kimberley's, in search of Gouldians in the wild. This presentation was certainly a highlight of the whole evening. Everybody gained insight into the reasons behind the Gouldians demise in the wild. I am sure no one will forget images of Indra Kingston feeding hungry Crimson Finches in the wild. Other images vividly remembered include the extensive fires from burning off vegetation for cattle, resulting in loss of nesting sites, as well as impacting upon availability of seeding grasses.

Viewing Kevin Fosters aviaries

Because of the technical problems experienced at the start of the convention and the program’s rearrangement, I was asked to save my second presentation until the evening, and so followed Russell with a look at some different ways of improving our aviary situations, thereby increasing opportunities to breed greater numbers of finches. I hoped it helped some go away with new ideas for improvement.

Finally came the time for the auction of the Gouldian painting organised by NZ Birdz and painted by artist, Wayne Patrick. This had been on display the whole day and everybody was impressed with this painting. I think all enjoyed this part of the evening and it provided plenty of laughs. I volunteered to be the auctioneer, although inexperienced in this task. After some lively bidding, the painting sold to Wayne Carson, with all proceeds going to the club, assisting with the expenses involved in the convention.

Next a number of framed finch photos were auctioned, which again provided great entertainment for everybody. These sold for anything from $35-$85. To conclude the evening, Paul Hughes presented all speakers with a lovely bronze medallion featuring the club’s logo, and then the evening came to a close.

DAY 2 SUNDAY
Another 8am start at Waipuna Conference center saw everyone board a bus, ready to travel to three aviaries in Auckland, to look at fellow finch breeders setups. First stop was Graeme De Joux’s place. Graeme has recently added a few new aviaries for his wife Susan, to house her pairs of finches. All available yard space has now been utilised. In the aviaries are kept, White Breasted Gouldians, Parsons, Red Strawberries, Cordons, Auroras, Orange Breasts, Green Singers, Plumheads and a pair of Blue Caps.

Next we visited, Iris and Kevin Foster. Here it was enjoyable to see some rarer species, most had not seen before. Pintail Parrot finches, Painted Firetails, and Parson finches were well represented, in a great set of aviaries spread around the Fosters yard. Finally we moved onto Derek and Margaret Churches. Again a lovely set of aviaries that housed, Red Hooded Siskins, Spice finches, St Helenas, Cordons, Jacarinis and Gouldians.

Yellow backed Gouldians

Unfortunately the weather slowly deteriorated as the day progressed and by the time we reached this third aviary visit it was raining quite heavily. There was limited room under some temporary tarpaulins that had been strung over the deck, which made it a little cramped. Still everyone made the best of it and enjoyed further conversation. After lunch and a quick look at the birds during breaks in the rain (very few) we had a few questions posed to some of the speakers and Aussie visitors. Unfortunately it was hard for many to hear because of limited room and the heavy rain.

As the rain continued the bus departed back to the conference centre about 3pm and others headed for home. I wonder how Dave and Cathy Clark got on, driving home on their motorbike all the way to Feilding ?? That brought an end to proceedings and a few including myself were left to talk and analyse our time together as well as wonder, when will be the next one ??? For those that attended, forward us your comments and/or suggestions relating to this occasion, as this may be helpful for the next convention ??