When did you last hear a Cuckoo?

[Ashley Cawley]

I haven't heard a Cuckoo in ages! When was the last time that you've heard one?

I'm worried their population might be suffering. :(

[greenpete]

I hear them every spring! Tis a lovely woods this :)

[Ashley Cawley]

I hear them every spring! Tis a lovely woods this :)

I'm concerned about them, I think they're really lacking in the South-West over the past few years :confused:

[Martin]

I can't remember the last time I heard a cuckoo, that's why I couldn't vote in the poll. Well, actually, I used to hear on every hour on the hour but I don't think that counts. ;)

Martin

[Ashley Cawley]

I can't remember the last time I heard a cuckoo, that's why I couldn't vote in the poll. Well, actually, I used to hear on every hour on the hour but I don't think that counts. ;)

Martin
I can't remember hearing one in ages, I can only definitively remember hearing one when I was younger, possibly 10 years ago even? Very sad.

Did you see the Cuckoo on that Dartmoor - Earth Pilgrim DVD Martin? GreenPete is watching that one this evening I think.

[Martin]

I can't remember hearing one in ages, I can only definitively remember hearing one when I was younger, possibly 10 years ago even? Very sad.

Did you see the Cuckoo on that Dartmoor - Earth Pilgrim DVD Martin? GreenPete is watching that one this evening I think.

Yes, I did hear the one on there, and I've decided to visit Wistman's Wood on my trip to Dartmoor next week. It will be virtually the midway point of my journey.

Martin

[Ashley Cawley]

Yes, I did hear the one on there, and I've decided to visit Wistman's Wood on my trip to Dartmoor next week. It will be virtually the midway point of my journey.

Martin
Wow, excellent! There was a whole part about the Cuckoo on that DVD showing how it invaded anothers nest etc. Do me a favour Martin and make your TXT alert on your mobile the sound of a Cuckoo, so when your at Wistman's Wood I can text you and you can officially say you heard a Cuckoo in November in Wistman's Woods! :p

[Martin]

Wow, excellent! There was a whole part about the Cuckoo on that DVD showing how it invaded anothers nest etc. Do me a favour Martin and make your TXT alert on your mobile the sound of a Cuckoo, so when your at Wistman's Wood I can text you and you can officially say you heard a Cuckoo in November in Wistman's Woods! :p

:D :D :D

Good thinking.

Martin

[Silver Birch]

Cuckoo calls were synonymous with my childhood trips to the local brook, counting the abundant newts and trying to identify the stickleback varieties! Years onward and I cannot honestly remember the last time I heard a cuckoo! :-/

[Aaron Rushton]

im in south wales and im sad to say i've never heard a cuckoo in my life.

[JonnyP]

I have not heard a cuckoo since I moved to Cornwall three years ago. I think its a magical sound to hear..

[Ashley Cawley]

This is very sad to hear folks, thanks for letting me know if your hearing them or not.

- Where have all the cuckoos gone? (http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/where-have-all-the-cuckoos-gone-442372.html) - 2007 The Independant

- Cuckoo numbers down by nearly 60% (http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/uk-cuckoo009.html#cr) - 2009 Wildlife Extra

[luresalive]

I was 14 the last time I heard one and was away on a fishing trip with the school team to Co.Fermanagh, I'm now in my forties!

[Skate]

I hear them every year both on Dartmoor and Woodbury common in East Devon. Think numbers are declining but theres still some around.

[Davyl200]

Go to Wistmans wood in may and you are guaranteed to hear a cuckoo :)

[brigit]

I've heard one every year for last 3 years on the Malvern Hills...never seen one though!

[paul standley]

I hadn't heard a cuckoo in years and then this summer whilst on a trek in the Brecon Beacons I heard and watched one in the middle of absolute no-where in a little valley during early evening. It was flying to a hawthorn tree, doing the whole "Cuckoo" bit and then flying 100 yds up the valley following the stream, landing in another small tree and repeating the song... it was amazing, I was very close and it felt like a privilage to be an observer.

[brigit]

I'm green with envy Paul!

[Matt]

I'm in Cornwall and have been fortunate to hear a cuckoo for the last few years but like Brigit, I've never seen one. Don't know why but I've always made a record in my diary of the first cuckoo I hear and the first swallow I see, this years cuckoo was on the 26th of May.

Regards, Matt.

[ANDYRAF]

I usually hear them in Kingswood near St Austell around end of April early may, you normally have to sit still a while, but they are there.

Andy

[Ashley Cawley]

I usually hear them in Kingswood near St Austell around end of April early may, you normally have to sit still a while, but they are there.

Andy
Thanks Andy! Great to see you on here bud. :welcome:

Next year I will certainly be visiting Kingswood and sitting quietly for a while. :)

[Paul Webster]

There was an article in the BBC news today about the decline of the cuckoo...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9203000/9203476.stm
The RSPB estimate that the population in the UK has declined about 37% in the past 15 years. That's a huge amount.

[Shewie]

The last I heard was on Loch Sheil back in June, there were one or two knocking around in my usual haunts earlier in the year too. I hope the decline reverses itself, magnificent birds which are synonymous of British woodland.

[Bush_Men]

Well, dunno how's the population of these birds in Portugal but I hear them quite frequently on the woodlands near the house. So lucky me...

[Metal mug]

Well where I am (North Devon) You hear them quite often in the spring. It seem strange though that they are rare in dartmoor. Could it be a lack of other bird nests to lay their eggs in?

[comanighttrain]

Up in the highlands its common enough not to be remarkable .... are they being wiped out or something?

[Comptona]

we get them all through the spring in West Oxon, along with Buzzards and Red Kites we have an abundance of wild birds round here.

[beechnut mick]

Ash,most cuckoo from the UK would have migrated to other parts of Europe like Italy,they normaly return march april time so will be quiet till then.

[Skate]

Heard my first cuckoo of the year this evening on some local common land. Also saw the first swallow on 9th April.

[Adam Savage]

Hear a couple this year, started a week ago round here.

[Ashley Cawley]

:jumping-joy:

Couldn't believe it - made my day, year & decade! It must be the first time I've heard one in over a decade.

I was sat in Carnanton Woods (St Mawgan, Cornwall) with Matt & Phil having a brew & doing some whittling when we heard it numerous times, it got closer as it went on.

Was magical experience as it reminded me of playing in the woods near my home when I was a youngster and like I say I can't remember hearing one since I was a youngster.

For anyone who is interested they are on the RSPB Red Status, which means the Cuckoo is the following... (or worse)...

Red list criteria

Globally threatened
Historical population decline in UK during 1800–1995
Severe (at least 50%) decline in UK breeding population over last 25 years, or longer-term period (the entire period used for assessments since the first BoCC review, starting in 1969).
Severe (at least 50%) contraction of UK breeding range over last 25 years, or the longer-term period

[Comptona]

while walking across Exmoor near cloutsham on Thursday night not only did We listen to one for the whole walk but we saw one as well. I hear them all the time in Oxfordshire but in all my years have never actually seen one.

I love Exmoor!!!

[Martin]

Heard one last week whilst running around one of the clay pits near St Austell. I can't remember the last time I heard a cuckoo but was chuffed to bits to have heard this one. :)

Martin

[Roadkillphil]

Heard one last week whilst running around one of the clay pits near St Austell. I can't remember the last time I heard a cuckoo but was chuffed to bits to have heard this one. :)

Martin

Which pit Martin? a lot of folks slate the clay industry, but I've seen copius amounts of wildlife in and around them. Including a stoat taking down a rabbit right in front of me not 15 yds away!

[Martin]

Blackpool Pit Phil. Right at the end of the Blackpool Clay Trail. Was a lovely evening mate and just rounded off by the sound of the cuckoo.

Martin

[Roadkillphil]

Blackpool Pit Phil. Right at the end of the Blackpool Clay Trail. Was a lovely evening mate and just rounded off by the sound of the cuckoo.

Martin

Sweet :D

[Silverback]

Heard one today :happy-clapping:0500 hours just after i had been woken up by a lamb rummaging in my rucksack :camping:

[Adam Savage]

Heard one today :happy-clapping:0500 hours just after i had been woken up by a lamb rummaging in my rucksack :camping:

Spend a few nights on the edge of the south moor, Dartmoor, you'll hear loads of them down there, even the young uns that haven't quite mastered the call properly.

[Ivan]

Its become a bit of an obsession with me , we have the BTO come to my place to monitor , and the earliest in 40 years is the 9th of April , this year the 12th of April , at the moment as Adam says all day long !! one of them even sounds gay !! (no offence intended , to gay cuckoos )

[Adam Savage]

That's it now, you've completely alienated the "alternative" cuckoo population :(

[Silverback]

Spend a few nights on the edge of the south moor, Dartmoor, you'll hear loads of them down there, even the young uns that haven't quite mastered the call properly.


Spent more than a few nights down in Dartmoor never heard a cuckoo though - even on the south moor

[Adam Savage]

Spent more than a few nights down in Dartmoor never heard a cuckoo though - even on the south moor

You'll have to come to the Dartmoor meet end of the month. I can guarantee cuckoo action...hang on, that sounds a little...ermmm...you'll hear one I mean haha

[Silverback]

You'll have to come to the Dartmoor meet end of the month. I can guarantee cuckoo action...hang on, that sounds a little...ermmm...you'll hear one I mean haha

Unfortunately finances - or lack of are proving to be a stumbling block far too often at the moment :mad2: Im actually supposed to be heading south this weekend but thats been put on hold

[Adam Savage]

Unfortunately finances - or lack of are proving to be a stumbling block far too often at the moment :mad2: Im actually supposed to be heading south this weekend but thats been put on hold

Not to worry mate. I know what you mean, that nasty money stuff is always getting in the way. Long as you can get a chance to do some of what you want, that's the main thing though.

[Ashley Cawley]

The Cuckoo's are very verbal at Wistman's Wood (Dartmoor) at the moment, been up there for a couple of days and heard them going, was really chuffed. I even managed to record one calling on my iPod!... Listen here (https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleycawley/WistmanSWoodDartmoorMay2011#5604056816480110370).

[Adam Savage]

The Cuckoo's are very verbal at Wistman's Wood (Dartmoor) at the moment, been up there for a couple of days and heard them going, was really chuffed. I even managed to record one calling on my iPod!... Listen here (https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleycawley/WistmanSWoodDartmoorMay2011#5604056816480110370).

Nicely captured Ash.

[Silverback]

Nicely captured Ash.

seconded

[brigit]

That's lovely Ashley!!! I've just heard my first cuckoo of the year on the Malvern Hills too :)

I've never been to Wistman's Wood but it's on my list of places to visit before I reach 100

[Ashley Cawley]

...I've never been to Wistman's Wood but it's on my list of places to visit before I reach 100 Wow, how big is your list!? :confused: It's a beautiful place, would highly recommend a visit.

[Adam Savage]

That's lovely Ashley!!! I've just heard my first cuckoo of the year on the Malvern Hills too :)

I've never been to Wistman's Wood but it's on my list of places to visit before I reach 100

Many, many years to get the list done, you're only...what...30? :rolleyes:

[Ben Casey]

Many, many years to get the list done, you're only...what...30? :rolleyes:

I think she is younger mate fancy saying 30 a stunner to be sure ;)

[brigit]

30? I wish! Anyone else remember the Woodentops, Andy Pandy, Bill & Ben?

Back on the subject of cuckoos.....can hear one calling up on the hill as I write this :)

[Silverback]

30? I wish! Anyone else remember the Woodentops, Andy Pandy, Bill & Ben?

flob a lob, dib dob, weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed

yes - sadly :(

[basicbushcraft]

i ve got a few cuckoo's in my forest in scotland lads was up there last week and hear them everytime im up

[Roadkillphil]

The Cuckoo's are very verbal at Wistman's Wood (Dartmoor) at the moment, been up there for a couple of days and heard them going, was really chuffed. I even managed to record one calling on my iPod!... Listen here (https://picasaweb.google.com/ashleycawley/WistmanSWoodDartmoorMay2011#5604056816480110370).

Mornin Bird! :D

[Adam Savage]

Got some video from Darters during the last week. Pretty sure there will be cuckoo calls to be heard on those. Will check soon as I get the cameras back home (silly me left them down there, DOH).

[Martin]

Heard one on Saturday morning coming from the woods by the farmhouse just outside Okehampton Camp. Two in one year, brilliant!! :)

Martin

[Ashley Cawley]

This is great news to hear everyone's reports of hearing the Cuckoo. My experience with them has certainly made my year! :D

[Adam Savage]

Managed to get a glimpse of two, around 20 yrds in front of us, as they flew away with our presence. Not the most impressive looking avian I must say.

[Ashley Cawley]

Managed to get a glimpse of two, around 20 yrds in front of us, as they flew away with our presence. Not the most impressive looking avian I must say.I would dearly love to see one in person - I've never seen one.

[Adam Savage]

I would dearly love to see one in person - I've never seen one.

They do seem to hide away. The two we managed to see where sat in the trees at the top end of Ivan's woods, heard us coming back from a bimble across the moors and took flight, just the other side of the tree line. Luckly the trees were a good few feet apart and when they departed, they flew low. Probably why we never normally see them, being below the tree tops. Also heard one up on the field, calling as he was in flight, never saw him, just heard the "cuck-cooo" every now n then as he moved (kinda like a submarine pinging, if you know what I mean lol), never even knew they could do that.

[paul standley]

I saw one last year on the Brecon Beacons, watched it for a couple of minutes and I agree, they are not much to look at but I was spell-bound never the less, considered it a privilege to have seen one, only taken me 50+ years...!

[Adam Savage]

I saw one last year on the Brecon Beacons, watched it for a couple of minutes and I agree, they are not much to look at but I was spell-bound never the less, considered it a privilege to have seen one, only taken me 50+ years...!

Oh I agree, I'm glad I did see it, as it's not often spotted. Planning on taking my telephoto lens for my camera next time (if they're still about then) and seeing if I can capture a snap of one. Might involve a lot of sitting high in a tree, dressed in my mossy oak suit, for a couple hours before it happens though haha.

[Ashley Cawley]

There's a Podcast that I subscribe to: David Attenborough's Life Stories. He just released a short one about the Cuckoo! :)

I've made it available for download as MP3, so you can listen to it here: Cuckoo-20-May-2011.mp3 (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/218966/Forums/NBC/MP3s/Cuckoo-20-May-2011.mp3) (4.7MB)

[Adam Savage]

Caught the call of the cuckoo, during an early morning brew at Ivan's, a couple weeks ago.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvEiCs_lmDA

[Ashley Cawley]

hehe... yeah definitely heard it! :) Thanks for sharing.

[Adam Savage]

LOL, no problem Ash. Shame it's only just audible.

[jus_young]

Saturday morning, 7.00am at Watermouth Valley camp site (formerly known as Big Meadow). Surprised the hell out of me!

[innocriss]

im in south wales and im sad to say i've never heard a cuckoo in my life.

[Pryderi]

Heard one week before last down in Dorset.... I'm surprised you haven't heard one innocris I am from South Wales and used hear them every year when I lived there mind you I used to live near some forestry

[andy202wr]

The last time I heard one was the end of April and beginning of May this year. I must be lucky as I hear them every year and have done for the the last 47 years. Out o the 47 years I have only seen them a hadfull o times.

[bushcraftboy]

I'm not sure, but I heard a bird in the trees today very early, it sounded like a "Cuckoo", "Cuckoo". Don't know much about birds though.

[Martin]

I'm not sure, but I heard a bird in the trees today very early, it sounded like a "Cuckoo", "Cuckoo". Don't know much about birds though.

Very very unlikely to be a cuckoo as they migrate to Africa in July/August. ;)

Martin

[bushcraftboy]

Very very unlikely to be a cuckoo as they migrate to Africa in July/August. ;)

Martin

Maybe a dove?

[Martin]

Maybe a dove?

More likely a wood pigeon. :)

Martin

[rossbird]

More likely a wood pigeon. :)

Martin

Agreed, I've been fooled on more than one occasion with woodpigeon.:mad2:

[Adam Savage]

Yep, ol' woodies coos can be a bit like that, especially the adolescent ones that haven't quite mastered it.

[JonnyP]

we were all in the site hut having our lunch one day when one of the labourers said "that owl is up late". He thought that the wood pigeons cooing were owls.. How we laughed..

[rossbird]

Haven't heard/seen one locally for 6yrs now.
For anyone interested, there's a really good book, by Nick Davies.....Cuckoos, Cowbirds and other cheats.

[Skate]

Heard the first cuckoo of the year last Thursday (13th) on the edge of South Dartmoor. Always a great milestone in the changing seasons.

[Adam Savage]

Heard the first cuckoo of the year last Thursday (13th) on the edge of South Dartmoor. Always a great milestone in the changing seasons.

You beat me :( I'm off to sulk with a hammock, tarp, share size pack of Doritos and a Heinz Big Soup :p

[El]

Yesterday ..lol

[Adam Savage]

Yesterday ..lol

You beat me too lol. More big soups for me then lol. Also, just noticed Skate has his date wrong :p, last Thursday was the 12th, it was Friday the 13th :D

[Martin]

I was up on both ends of Dartmoor this weekend and didn't hear any cuckoos. Mind you, the roaring winds and the persistent rain on Saturday didn't help matters. Maybe when I'm back up there in two weeks time will be better.

Martin

[Adam Savage]

I'll be up at Hay Tor around the 27th, might bump into you if you're around that area :)

[andy202wr]

Havent heard one yet but saw 8 to 10 swollows on a telygraph wire yesturday.

[Skate]

Ooops, meant Friday 13th. Better look out for swallows now then. My favourite bird to listen out for is the nightjar.

[AL...]

We hear Cuckoo's every year up here but they do seem to be gettin less and less every year.
I cant wait for the Swifts to get here ... To Me hats when Summer gets here.

Cheers
AL

[Bushwhacker]

I listen to cuckoos all year round.

Occasionally it's the feathered variety.

[Metal mug]

Heard on on the moor on Thursday. :)

[Roadkillphil]

Off to Dartmoor for a solo one nighter in a minute, hopefully I'll hear one :)

[AL...]

Have a good one Phil :)

Cheers
AL

[Roadkillphil]

Have a good one Phil :)

Cheers
AL

Thanks Al, I had a great time. I also heard cuckoos all evening and this morning too. And for an extra special treat I saw one on three separate occasions as well, each time it was being hassled off by smaller birds. This morning while dozing in my hammock there were two nearby cuckooing at each other before meeting above my tarp for a ruck!! They make a strange warbling croak up close.
These encounters really made my trip, I'll post a new thread later with more details and pics, none of cuckoos though unfortunately...

Cheers

Phil

[andy202wr]

Heard a cuckoo this weekend in the Lenches near Evesham.

[AL...]

Something like that really makes yer week dont it?

Cheers
AL

[butchthedog]

Heard first cuckoo of the year for me today on edge of Hamsterley Forest Co. Durham, while walking the dog.

[Bushwhacker]

First one on Sunday morning.
Bloody late arrival this year but heartening to hear at last.

[craige]

I live south of Edinburgh in a town called Penicuik, derived from Pen-Y-Cog which means hill of the Cuckoo, there are still a fair few around but according to the 'old man', nothing like as many as there were 'back in the day'.

[Adam Savage]

I live south of Edinburgh in a town called Penicuik, derived from Pen-Y-Cog which means hill of the Cuckoo, there are still a fair few around but according to the 'old man', nothing like as many as there were 'back in the day'.

I think that's true about a lot of places in the British Isles. Sadly, many species are suffering depleted numbers, due to one reason or another. :(

[Silverback]

Thought Id already posted on here about it. Last Thursday Home Styes Wood near Holmfirth (The 'Summer Wine' Village) I videoped it but dont have a site to download it to put it on here

[Adam Savage]

Thought Id already posted on here about it. Last Thursday Home Styes Wood near Holmfirth (The 'Summer Wine' Village) I videoped it but dont have a site to download it to put it on here

I think photobucket will accept videos, and so will videobam, and a load of others. You could always upload it to your facebook, as a publicly viewable file, then share the link here :)

[Silverback]

You could always upload it to your facebook, as a publicly viewable file, then share the link here :)

thats a point.....

[Silverback]

was woken by a cuckoo this morning on a little overnight kit test :happy-clapping: Cuckoos, Grouse, pheasant, robins, chaffinch, plovers......a mass of wildlifeT^

[Ashley Cawley]

Great to hear! There's rumours of a Cuckoo being heard nearby my homestead @ St Eval, I'll keep an ear'out.

[Primerib]

I heard a Cuckoo the entire last week while hunting for roe buck. It was almost annoying as it kept on going for hours. By the way! I shot a nice 2 year old buck with a four-end trophy. 15,5 kg gutted.

[Shewie]

Just done a 200 mile coast to coast across Scotland and I heard one every day apart from the last two, ten out of twelve wasn't bad though. My walking partner thought it was me making the noise after the first couple of days until he heard one whilst I was snoozing in the sun. At a place called Tarfside, when we were nearing the east coast, I counted three pairs in the field where we camped.