Updates from our Cuckoos

AJ was caught at the edge of RSPB Budby Common on the evening of 27th May. The team’s spirits were dampened a little when there was no response to the Cuckoo sound tape initially but after a while, a male and a female Cuckoo were heard approaching the nets. Soon after they checked the nets and found both birds in them! As night was approaching, they worked quickly to tag the male bird before darkness fell. As the team sat in the car under the forest canopy working under artificial light, a Tawny Owl called nearby, causing the Cuckoo to flinch markedly – a good reminder of the dangers these birds face throughout their lives. Since being tagged AJ has made the journey south across the Channel into northern France where he is approximately 80 km (50 miles) west of Paris.

Grove was tagged in early June when we were getting to the end of the Cuckoo catching season. An early start was called for so we were on site at Wheatfen Nature Reserve in the Norfolk Broads by 3:30am. Nets were put up with the chorus of a reeling Grasshopper Warbler and a booming Bittern in the background, and we put the stuffed cuckoo out and played the sound lure. Two Cuckoos were immediately interested and started Cuckooing but did not come any closer for about 20 minutes. We were not entirely sure we were going to catch and another 20 minutes passed. Then the bird launched off its perch and flew towards the net, and we didn't see it come out the other side - these moments of "Is it in the net?" or "Is it just sat on a bush next to the net?" are agonising. The cuckooing sound had stopped which was a good sign. We looked at each other and edged gingerly towards the nets. As we got closer, we saw it in the net - time to run! 

Tagging the bird was very straightforward although this was the first time we have tagged a bird in a public toilet. The toilet was ideal - spacious and airy, and with all the facilities you could need. After tagging, we emerged into the car park where the bird flew off strongly. We were done by 05:45 and it was a real privilege as always to be up and about before anyone else in such an amazing place. A big thank you to Will Fitch, the warden of Wheatfen Nature Reserve, for allowing us to catch and tag a bird there.

Grove the Cuckoo tagged at Ted Ellis Trust Wheatfen Broad

Harry was caught during the same session as Clive. Having seen a bird fly into the net, BTO tagger Lee Barber started running towards the net but the bird escaped, so he walked back to the car. Then the bird went in again, so Lee started running, got half way there but it got out again! The team decided to close their nets and as they were walking towards them a Cuckoo came flying straight in. The highs and lows of catching Cuckoos! Since being tagged Harry has remained at his breeding grounds in Worcestershire.

Clive was caught during an early morning session during less than ideal conditions, with the wind blowing and forecast for it to increase to gale proportions in a few hours’ time. A Cuckoo soon came to investigate but flew away. Hopes were dashed but the tagging team kept their nets open and it wasn’t long before a Cuckoo flew towards the nets and straight in! Clive has remained at this site in Worcestershire since being tagged.

Calypso was caught and tagged at the fantastic Wildgoose Rural Training and Nature Reserve where our tagging team received a very warm welcome. He is currently still at his tagging site.

Top BTO tagger Lee Barber arrived to find BTO Cymru colleague Kelvin Jones already on site, with the nets up and a recently caught Meadow Pipit and female Sparrowhawk ready to ring. Once these had been processed they switched their Cuckoo tape on and this generated instant interest from a nearby Cuckoo. After a few passes, JAC was in the net. JAC is still near his tagging location north of Llangollen.

Victor II was tagged during a dawn catching session adjacent to the north-west shores of Loch Katrine. He was a welcome catch after a blank day, as catching proved trickier than expected despite the large numbers of Cuckoos around. This was partly due to the habitat - finding suitable catching places without large trees, power and phone lines or pylons overhead wasn't easy and the presence of real females made our dummy and lures less desirable! Since being tagged Victor II has moved south, making a brief stop in Essex before crossing the Channel into France where he is now near Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise in northern France.

Ellis was caught at the same site near Loch Arklet in the Trossachs as Columbus. He was caught in the evening, in exactly the same part of the same net as Columbus. The team caught another Cuckoo at the same time, a female that was sneaking up on her perceived rival. Since being tagged, Ellis spent a few days near Bungay in Suffolk before crossing the Channel to the Netherlands. Having stopped off near Leiden in South Holland, updates received last night showed that he had flown 137 km (85 miles) north east to his current location near Leeuwarden in Friesland.

Columbus was the first bird the team caught in the Trossachs in 2021, at a spot adjacent to Loch Arklet. There were at least four male Cuckoos calling that morning and the local Meadow Pipits were on such high alert that they started mobbing the stuffed Cuckoo that the team use to lure the Cuckoos in. The team were very pleased to get their Scotland trip off to such a good start. Columbus is still at his breeding grounds where he was tagged.