Kitchen Garden Forum

We read recently that the cuckoo was in decline. Well they are not in decline where we are on holiday here in South West Wales. We have heard loads during our walks and bike rides this week. Not the same one either.

This morning we went for an early morning walk as the sun was coming up about 5.30am and it was glorious. We hear three cuckoos calling in three separate locations, they sounded like they were trying to better each other.

Has anyone else heard any yet. We didn't hear any whilst we were at home in Lancashire.

Can not remember the last time I heard a cuckoo, come to that same for the jack-door.

Yes I heard a cuckoo 2 weekends ago when I was visiting a friend in Matching Green, Essex! she said it was the first one she had heard this year and she's is always up and about early taking her dog for a walk. Lovely to hear, as it is with all birds early morning choral delight!

Just after reading this first thing went outside and heard first one.

Yes I heard one on Tuesday in Lancashire
Brenjon

Hear a cuckoo,
See a swallow.
A hosepipe ban,
Is sure to follow.

we heard one this morning in somerset.

Our first cuckoo came on 28 April (duly reported under 'Birds, Animals and Livestock'!). A local farmer with his farm right at the edge of the moor always rings me straight away when he hears it and his phone call came at 7am, followed by another villager half an hour later with the same news.

With us, its usually meadow pipits which are the hosts and one year I watched a female meadow pipit trying to feed a baby cuckoo (more than twice her size!) by sitting on the youngster's head and stuffing the food into its beak sideways! Fascinating to watch, but I did feel sorry for the poor meadow pipit.