Cuckoo updates

Cuckoo updates

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.

Cleeve’s in Catalonia

09 Jul 2025

We last heard from Cleeve a couple of days ago, when he was on the Belgian / French border. His signal shows that he has made steady progress since then, covering around 900 km (560 miles) on a flight through France and into north-eastern Spain. 

He is currently just west of the Catalonian city of Girona, close to the Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa Natural Park.

Cores crosses the Alps

09 Jul 2025

After more than a week in southern France, Cores has now headed east and crossed into the Italian Alps. He is currently in the foothills just 55 km (34 miles) south-west of Turin. 

Will he stay in Italy for a while as he has done in previous years, or will he move on swiftly and take advantage of strong southerly winds to ease his way across the Mediterranean? 

Ashok arrives in Africa!

07 Jul 2025

We’d not heard much from Ashok in recent days, and he seemed to be lingering in Suffolk. However, we suddenly received a signal telling us that he had not only left the UK, but had crossed mainland Europe, flown across the Mediterranean via Monaco and Sardinia, and made landfall in Tunisia over the weekend! 

Now in northern Libya, Ashok is the first of our tagged birds to start the next leg of the major migration journey – crossing the Sahara!

Arthur springs into Spain

07 Jul 2025

Arthur is another of our Cuckoos who seemed quite content hanging around in Suffolk, before suddenly springing into action and heading south. He is already in south-western Spain, more than 1,750 km (1,087 miles) away from where he was tagged at Worlingham Marshes on 31 May. 

Just north of Seville, Arthur is in the wooded hillsides within the Dehesas de Sierra Morena Biosphere Reserve, known for its Iberian Lynx, Black Vultures and Wolves. 

Wilfrid winds his way into Spain

07 Jul 2025

Wilfrid set off in earnest on 1 July, and in just a couple of days had swiftly covered around 800 km (500 miles), making his way from Suffolk to the banks of the Gironde estuary in southwestern France. 

From here he cut across the south-eastern corner of the Bay of Biscay, entering Spain between Bilbao and Santander. He is currently close to Embalse de Valdeobispo, a small lake on the Alagón River in the province of Cáceres.

Frederic flees France

07 Jul 2025

Since our last check-in four days ago, Frederic has flown a further 300 km (186 miles) and has now crossed the Pyrenees. 

He is currently in a remote and sparsely populated mountain region in the Spanish province of La Rioja. 

Cleeve lingers no longer

07 Jul 2025

By this date last year, Cleeve was already making steady progress and was in northern Spain. However, he has taken his time so far this summer and only left Norfolk on Saturday. 

By this morning (7 July) he was on the Belgian / French border in the municipality of Wallonia. If he follows last year’s route he should head into north-eastern Spain in the next few days.

Norman makes a move

07 Jul 2025

Since leaving eastern England a few days ago, Scottish-tagged Cuckoo Norman has made steady progress. He has covered just over 400 km (250 miles) and is currently in the sprawling agricultural landscape just to the east of the French city of Reims. 

Joe joins the jetset

03 Jul 2025

Joe finally set off on 28 June and has made swift progress. His route took him straight over Thetford, and indeed BTO headquarters (!) before making his way toward the south coast, where he left the UK at Harwich. A direct flight took him across The Channel to Dunkirk, from where he powered on toward the alps, making a short stop in northern Italy, around 40 km (25 miles) from Mont Blanc. 

Joe then made a move due south, and by yesterday evening was on the French coast, in the hills above trendy Saint-Tropez. 

Frederic's French fancy

03 Jul 2025

In the past couple of days, Frederic has moved a further 260 km (161 miles) south-west, and appears to be heading for Spain. Currently south of Bordeaux and in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park, famous for its wintering Cranes, he is just 130 km (80 miles) from the Pyrenees and the Spanish border. 

Will Frederic be the only one of our tagged Cuckoos to take the western route this summer, or will others follow?