Cuckoo’s return

mickysf

Now here is a proper tale to be told, no April Fool involving a cruise ship just mere Cuckoo power and possibly the longest migration of them all! Not far to go now, keep going!

https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project/wilfrid

So infrequently heard these days, let’s hope Wilfred makes his call loud and clear and has a successful 2025 breeding season

Wherenext

Nice one @mickysf. He's going to get close to 6,000 miles by the time he touches down in Suffolk. Amazing feat.

mickysf

@Wherenext Yes, he should touch down in the next few days. I’ve been following the tagged cuckoos and their stories over the last few weeks and they are ones of tribulations, tragedies and hopefully triumphs. Despite their reputation they are truly fascinating birds and ones we should be caring for.
He really is a handsome chap, isn’t he?

nelliethehooker

ones we should be caring for.

@mickysf shouldn't we be caring for all birds, even the rogues, as they too are part of our fragile ecosystem which men are determined to destroy?

mickysf

https://clubtogether.caravanclub.co.uk/discussion/comment/875342#Comment_875342

Yes, Nellie absolutely! It’s just that some need more care than others as our want to ‘destroy’ some, directly or indirectly, is greater than others.

https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/breeding-bird-survey/research-conservation/cuckoo-decline

‘We’ are current unsure of the reasons behind the significant decline in cuckoo numbers but human action is suspected. Complex explanation above but very interesting nevertheless.

Wherenext

https://www.birdlife.org/news/2025/04/01/press-release-european-commission-gives-green-light-to-reopen-hunting-season-for-turtle-dove/#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20has,weak%20enforcement%20of%20hunting%20laws.

Some birds just not getting a break. They stop the hunting so numbers will improve, the numbers bounce back so it's let's give in to the hunters again. EU just not learning and are pretty toothless when it comes to bird protection.

I know the thread is about Cuckoos but previous posts touched on all birds and mans' interference.

mickysf

https://clubtogether.caravanclub.co.uk/discussion/comment/875359#Comment_875359

I visited Cyprus a few years ago and every Cypriot birder I met was pulling their hair out at the political nonsense which allowed such hunting atrocities. We in the UK are no better as that iconic and beautiful bird the Golden Plover is still allowed to be hunted and shot in the name of fun. Don’t think anyone eats them.

‘Golden Plover can be shot between the 1st of September and the 31st of January

 in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Island. The Golden Plover is protected on the Isle of Man.’

What’s a sad state of affairs but well done the IofM.