National 2026
As usual the National signalled the start of the show season. After all the concerns about the new rules imposed in the General Licence by DEFRA the show ran without a hitch. The show Secretary Andy Beesley (now the new LCA Chairman following his election at the LCA AGM on 25th October) was ably supported by Chris Jordan as show manager, and Mick Tiffany and Bob Bullock who stewarded for our show judge – Huw Evans. A big thank you to all who supported the show with their entries and to our judge.
Lizard canaries at the National Exhibition 2026 – Judges Report
Yet again, the National Exhibition raised the curtain on the Lizard canary show season. The 2026 edition was the first to be organised under the new APHA regulations, but things went smoothly and around 80 birds awaited me for judging. They had a high standard to maintain after last year’s winner, a lovely non cap gold hen by Carlos de Santa Ana, went on to win Best Canary.
Best Lizard was awarded to Noel Sidney’s natural coloured broken cap gold hen, a well proportioned bird that displayed a classic combination of excellent spangles (including the head), profuse rowings and good colour. Second Best Lizard was another broken cap gold hen, this time a colour-fed bird benched by Nick Rayson. She was a similar type of bird and gave the winner a run for her money, but her spangles, although distinct and well aligned, showed slight frosting at the edges – a colour fault in golds.
The award for Third Best Lizard went to a clear cap gold hen benched by George Loines. She was by far the best of the Novice birds and held her spangling throughout the morning, while many good Champion birds had become tired by the time I came to judge the Specials. It just goes to show that stamina is a major asset in a show bird.
The fourth Best Lizard was another Nick Rayson bird, this time a non cap gold cock with neat spangles and good rowings for a cock. Alas he was past his best when I judged the Specials. Bob Bullock’s broken cap silver cock won Fifth Best Lizard. This bird had very consistent spangles but lost a few points on rowings and grizzled flight feathers.
The will be greater challenges to come, but the 2026 Lizard show season has got off to a good start.
Huw Evans – LCA Panel Judge
Congratulations to the Winners of the LCA Lizard Canary Section at the 2026 National at Stafford.
Overall winners
Best Lizard Canary in Show Noel Sidney
Best Champion Lizard Noel Sidney
Best Novice Lizard George Loines
Best Lizard Noel Sidney
2nd Best Lizard Nick Rayson
3rd Best Lizard George Loines
4th Best Lizard Nick Rayson
5th Best Lizard Bob Bulloch
Colour fed section
Best Champion Nick Rayson
2nd Best Champion Nick Rayson
3rd Best Champion Bob Bullock
4th Best Champion Mick Tiffany
Best Novice George Loins
2nd Best Novice George Loins
3rd Best Novice George Loins
4th Best Novice George Loins
Natural Section
Best Natural Noel Sidney
2nd Best Natural Noel Sidney
Best Champion Natural Noel Sidney
2nd Best Champion Natural Noel Sidney
Best Novice Natural S&M Walters