'Cu-ckoo! Cu-ckoo!'
One bird that needs little introduction is the cuckoo.
Sadly, however, cuckoo numbers are on the decline and in 2009 it joined the red list of endangered British birds.
We don't really know the reasons for their decline - it could be that the African forests where they spend winter are disappearing, or that the caterpillars they eat are harder to find. It's also possible that with spring starting earlier each year due to climate change that the cuckoo's hosts are breeding before cuckoo's even have a chance to lay their eggs.
However, it's not all bad news - cuckoos are still being heard around the country . Even our new Conservation Director had a recent encounter with one!
So while you're out and about this weekend do keep an ear out for that distinctive 'cu-ckoo' call.
You can let us know if you hear one by leaving a comment below.
Last weekend on the Isle of Mull I was awoken by a cuckoo at 6:30am in the tree outside the tent! Over the weekend I heard at least 2, possibly 3, cuckoos in the Craignure area.
Absolutey magical.
I live in Upminster in Essex. I've heard two cuckoos over the past week. the first was near Belhus Woods which is adjacent to the M25 and the second was outside my house! Both times the bird was in the distance and moving away from me. A real pleasure and honour to hear!
We heard a cuckoo yesterday morning at Press Manor Fisheries, Ashover, Nr Chesterfield. Apparently it's been there for the past two years and that was the first time it had been heard this year. We didn't get to see it though. It's the first cuckoo i've heard for many a year, lovely!! :0)
I have heard at least 2 down at Godmanchester Nature reserve, Nr Huntingdon Cambs (down the end of cow lane if you live around the area, been down 3 times this week in the evening to try and see it, but no luck so far, rumour also has it there is a nightingale down there.. :)
Cuckoo seen and heard this week .... Hooe Marshes ,East Sussex...TQ662077
Heard and seen this week Hooe Marshes ,East Sussex TQ662077
Cuckoo heard whilst visiting my parents on Easter Monday - Queen Elizabeth Forest Park between Drymen and Gartmore (Stirlingshire). Also heard, then saw one on fence post in orchard area of Locherwood (back road between Lochwinnoch and Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire) whilst out with the dog one evening - first time I've ever seen one up close (ish)
There is a cuckoo @ Mad Bess Woods in Ruislip again this year been hearing it now for a couple of weeks. Never spotted it :-(
Heard my first cuckoo at Fairburn Ings on 29/04/11
Heard a cuckoo this morning in Folkestone alongside railway.
Apart from them heralding Spring for us what useful purpose do they serve in Scotland? How many of our native birds eggs do they kick out of their nests?
What purpose do cuckoos serve in Scotland? They herald spring by kicking the eggs out of the nests of our wee birds.
Sorry, didn't mean to post that twice!
I've heard a cuckoo this week - near Barden Tower on the Bolton Abbey estate in North Yorkshire - hoping to see it one day :)