Updates from our Cuckoos

In terms of travelling the longest distance between transmission periods, Kasper has just smashed the record, travelling approximately 2,200 km (1367 miles) in a SSW direction, placing him firmly in the Sahara. The last transmission period placed him near Rome at 0300 GMT on the 12th July and as Cuckoos are thought to be night migrants he probably stopped there during the day of the 12th before continuing his flight on either or both of the nights of the 12th and 13th July.

We next pick him up in Algeria, in the middle of the Sahara desert at about 8 in the evening of the Thursday 14th July. He is in the middle of the Parc National de l'Ahaggar a mountainous area with spectacular Saharan landscapes (try googling it!). There is very little vegetation in this area – mostly rocks and sand - so presumably we can't expect him to hang around too long in this inhospitable environment. Our next transmission is expected on Saturday night so check back on Sunday morning to see if he has transmitted.

Clement's flight continues! After arriving in Africa on the 13 July and settling in what from Google Earth satellite photos looked like the last bush before the Sahara desert, he has pushed forward. We wondered a week ago what route he would take – east through Italy or west into West Africa and he is definitely taking the westerly route. He changed course again and headed about 1,000km in a south-west direction to a location near the Algeria/Mauritania border. His last position at 11.23 GMT put him squarely in the middle of the Sahara desert in area that seems devoid of any vegetation at all. His next position is expected at around noon on Sunday – watch this space to see if he has successfully crossed the desert!

Lyster's tag  has just started up and shows he is in the vicinity of Reedham, making the most of the breeding season.

A poor quality signal received early morning on Thursday 14^th July indicates that Martin is still in the same location approximately 50km (30 miles) SSW of Milan.

We did not receive any locations from Chris when expected and, whilst we were slightly surprised not to get even one fix out of the tag, we are not yet too concerned. He is due to transmit this evening so hopefully we will have news tomorrow.

We have received no new positions for Chris as yet (morning of 13 July) but his tag is due to start transmitting very soon.

As expected, Kasper’s tag sprung into life again when he moved on. In the early hours of yesterday morning (12 July) we received a location for him about 30km (18 miles) NW of the outskirts of Rome (43km (27 miles) from Vatican City). He had moved 270km (170 miles) SSE from his previous position. He is our most southerly Cuckoo, except for Clement, having departed the area in which he was tagged at the same time as him.

A location received in the early hours of this morning (13 July) placed Lyster very close to Reedham. Surely he must be nearly ready to join the other Cuckoos on migration?