Cuckoo - Surrey April 2017

Tweet

Out with the camera - West Surrey and a very confiding cuckoo!

Old Lodge Ashdown Forest April 20th 2013

Tweet

What started out to be a fairly quiet visit.... suddenly turned into one of the bets visits to this nature reserve. From the moment the Red Kite was spotted there were several opportunities to get some good photos...

Chiffchaff

Cuckoo

Red Kite

Male Common Redstart

Robin (I love that a Robin will usually come over to see who you are 

and announce that this is his or her territory.

Although some Holly.. Robins are not just for Christmas!

This photo shows the Robin a little 'spooked' as it spotted a larger bird flying overhead - 

(although it was only a pigeon - it could have been a predator)

Willow Warbler - not to be confused with a Chiffchaff

First Cuckoo of 2013

Tweet

The first cuckoo I have heard or seen in 2013! (and lucky enough to get a photo!)

All the way from Africa! - Find a partner, do what nature does and then fly back to Africa....

Nikon D300S and 500mm Lens

Cuckoo

Tweet

Cuckoo

Cuckoo - photograph taken 13th May, 2012Ashdown Forest- Nikon D300S 500mm

Overview

The cuckoo is a dove-sized bird with blue grey upper parts, head and chest with dark barred white under parts. Sexes are similar and the young are brown. They are summer visitors and well-known brood parasites, the females laying their eggs in the nests of other birds, especially meadow pipits, dunnocks and reed warblers. Their recent population decline makes this a Red List species.

Where to see them

Cuckoos can be seen throughout the UK, but are especially numerous in southern and central England.

When to see them

Adults arrive in late March or April and depart in July or August, with young birds leaving a month or so later.

What they eat

Insects, especially hairy caterpillars.