Juvenile cuckoo in August, Scout Scar The cuckoo was the bird for this morning's Tweet of the Day. Not a memorable broadcast. So much more exciting to find the bird for oneself. Every year, I hope to hear, see and perhaps photograph the cuckoo of Scout Scar: his lineage. It's ambitious, I know, because if he senses he's being watched he flies. He calls loudly but it's a female he hopes to attract, not a birder.
Any time now the cuckoo should arrive on migration from Africa. The morning was blustery, light was poor. My heart is attuned to the faintest call, on the edge of perception. Was I dreaming and willing the cuckoo into being?
There is was again. I scanned tall ash trees, dead trees that might offer a calling post, and followed where I thought the call had come from. And there he was, high in an ash in that characteristic posture, and calling. I moved slowly a little closer and he flew off to another tall ash, and I followed. Too far off to attempt a photograph, but he's here and I'm mighty glad of it.
So here are a selection of my cuckoo images from previous years. There was a moment when I came upon a male and a female and saw them mate briefly. If only I had then had a camera powerful enough to photograph them. Sometimes, it's best simply to look and listen. Trying for the perfect photograph you might lose the opportunity to study the bird.
There is was again. I scanned tall ash trees, dead trees that might offer a calling post, and followed where I thought the call had come from. And there he was, high in an ash in that characteristic posture, and calling. I moved slowly a little closer and he flew off to another tall ash, and I followed. Too far off to attempt a photograph, but he's here and I'm mighty glad of it.
So here are a selection of my cuckoo images from previous years. There was a moment when I came upon a male and a female and saw them mate briefly. If only I had then had a camera powerful enough to photograph them. Sometimes, it's best simply to look and listen. Trying for the perfect photograph you might lose the opportunity to study the bird.
About three years ago I found this cuckoo ( far right) on Scout Scar and was able to sneak up fairly close unobserved, and to lie hidden and watch for a longish while. He perched on a dead tree, then flew to a lower perch on hawthorn, intermittently calling to attract a female. Each time he called his whole body posture changed, as if it took muscular power to emit that resonating call. His chest swelled and he thrust his head forward.
Perhaps this morning I also heard the female, who is much less vocal and her voice is different. I could heard skylark singing loudly through a strong wind and rain threatened, so light was poor.
Perhaps this morning I also heard the female, who is much less vocal and her voice is different. I could heard skylark singing loudly through a strong wind and rain threatened, so light was poor.
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