10/07/22 - Departing Cuckoo's

Whilst it’s only two and half months since the first Cuckoo’s arrived back in the LDV from their wintering grounds in Africa, many of the adults will now already be on their way south again, or shortly setting off on their epic migration.

Over the last couple of weeks, we may have not heard any calling birds, but we are still seeing the occasional adult, along with several fledged young - being fed by their ‘adoptive parents’. These young birds often don’t leave us until well into August or even early September, by which time the adults will already be back in central Africa. If you have any recent sightings of any adults that are still around, or any juveniles then please do let us know, thank you. The stunning adult female below is one of several individuals that spent its spring/summer around the Pocklington Canal in Melbourne – with it showing in perfect light one morning for our team, who were up before dawn to enjoy a close view of this fascinating species – making the 4am start worthwhile!