Updates from our Cuckoos
Read the latest updates from our Cuckoos on their epic migration between the UK and tropical Africa, or track their movements in real-time on our Cuckoo migration map.
- If you enjoy these updates, please consider sponsoring a Cuckoo. Sponsors receive special updates about their chosen Cuckoo in the Cuckoo e-newsletter.
Carlton II in Spain
Nussey makes a U-turn!
Carlton II departs
End of the road for Robinson
We are sad to report that Robinson's journey has come to an abrupt end. We’ve recently been informed by a member of the public that his body has been found in a garden on some farmland in Kent. It would appear that he had started his migration south, but unfortunately struck a window. He was extremely unlucky to have found and collided with this window as it was in Denge Marsh, an open area where there are very few buildings. The area is very close to Dungeness - a well-known migration site.
Robinson was one of nine birds tagged in Sherwood Forest since the start of the project. We’ve been able to follow his journey since he was tagged in May 2018. Last year he was on his way, transmitting from France on 22 June. From here we saw him travel to Lake Geneva in Switzerland and on to northern Italy, before crossing the Sahara towards the end of July. He spent the winter months, from November through to March, in Gabon, before heading to Ivory Coast in early March and embarking on the return Sahara crossing around 11 April. He arrived back in the UK around 26 April 2019.
While this is upsetting news, it does provide us with more evidence about the variety of problems Cuckoos face. We are grateful to everyone who sponsored Robinson.
PJ and Carlton II yet to leave
Nussey in southern France
New signals received on 29 June show Nussey had journeyed south-west 275km (172 miles) within France and was just south-east of Nantes near the commune of Cholet. He continued a further 335km (210 miles) down the west coast and by 1 July was close to Morcenx, about 30km (20 miles) inland. Poor quality signals received after this indicate he carried on and is heading towards the Spanish border.
Valentine south of Paris
Senan crosses into France
During the late afternoon of 30 June we received transmissions showing that Senan had left the UK and completed his crossing of the English Channel. Locations revealed that he was in northern France, just south of Wierre-Effroy and around 10km (6 miles) inland from the west coast, 190km (116 miles) from Norfolk. Further locations yesterday show that he is now 790km (490 miles) further south, near Marmande, to the south-east of Bordeaux.
Larry in Croatia
Meet the 2019 Cuckoos
We’re delighted to introduce some new faces to the project! Catching the birds has been challenging this year with seemingly less competition for females and so less interest in the female lure used, but thanks to the persistence of our super tagging team, we do have four new male Cuckoos to introduce to you.
Three of these newly-tagged birds are already on the way, crossing the Channel and moving into France within the last few days. Take a look at the individual blogs to find out more.
Share this page