If you're looking at a good bridge camera the Fujifilm series are very well regarded. Don't worry too much about pixel count. You can get good ones in cashconverters for about £80.
The bridge cameras have many of the manual features of a DSLR, taking photo's of a plant under lights will always confuse a point and shoot. For buds you can get macro/close up adapters
OR.... spend a
bit more and get a Nikon DSLR with some nice glass. Guaranteed not to fit in a birds handbag
Seriously though, a Nikon or Canon will hold it's value for much longer. Five years ago I bought a new D40 for £325, still go for good money s/h now. But for a good all rounder on a budget have a look at Fuji.
Hope that helps, might take a few shots of my girl tomorrow (three and a half weeks 12/12). Growing like a weed...