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Cukoo
Apr 28, 2009 19:41:10 GMT
Post by filthyfarmer on Apr 28, 2009 19:41:10 GMT
Heard one this morning.............
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Cukoo
Apr 28, 2009 19:53:55 GMT
Post by helenahandcart on Apr 28, 2009 19:53:55 GMT
Well you're the lucky one. I haven't heard a cuckoo for probably 3 years
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Cukoo
Apr 28, 2009 19:57:50 GMT
Post by jc on Apr 28, 2009 19:57:50 GMT
Well you're the lucky one. I haven't heard a cuckoo for probably 3 years Not sure that I have either - are they disappearing?
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Cukoo
Apr 28, 2009 20:00:39 GMT
Post by psycho on Apr 28, 2009 20:00:39 GMT
Must four years since i heard one
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Cukoo
Apr 28, 2009 20:55:04 GMT
Post by richardh on Apr 28, 2009 20:55:04 GMT
steady on we havent got a my dogs blacker than your dog thing starting have we!!! ;D
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Cukoo
Apr 28, 2009 21:08:40 GMT
Post by helenahandcart on Apr 28, 2009 21:08:40 GMT
ha ha no. I read something recently about cuckoos declining in many parts of the UK and have been trying to find out where (prob the DT) and why, but have failed. Plenty of general info out there but can't find anything about recent decline. Maybe somebody can help. Think it was connected with the decline of their host species (no doubt the farmers are to blame ) Apparently they - cuckoos not farmers - don't lay in random nests, they specialise in one particular species and they lay eggs which, though obv. much larger, match in colour their host species' eggs.
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Cukoo
Apr 28, 2009 21:44:19 GMT
Post by phil on Apr 28, 2009 21:44:19 GMT
Yes, true to form some institutions are blaming "intensive farming practice"...whilst others blame the impact of global warming in East Africa where the Cuckoo lives in Winter.
Bearing in mind the main host species are the Dunnock (we always called them hedge sparrows), reed warbler & meadow pipit, and these species have also been in decline over the last decade, It is not too difficult to see where part of the problem lies. In my opinion the predation on the host species, and their nests, by an ever increasing population of sparrow hawks, magpies & domestic cats...is far more likely to be the real problem. Plus the fact the last two summers have been very cold & wet, this will have had a significant & detrimental effect on the number of moth & other insect larvae available to rear the chicks!
Phil.
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Cukoo
Apr 28, 2009 22:43:08 GMT
Post by bigman on Apr 28, 2009 22:43:08 GMT
Heard and saw my first one of the year today.
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Deleted Member
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Cukoo
Apr 29, 2009 0:19:52 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2009 0:19:52 GMT
My father said he seen(or maybe only heard) one in a tree today.
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Cukoo
Apr 29, 2009 9:57:12 GMT
Post by cidergirl on Apr 29, 2009 9:57:12 GMT
We haven't heard one yet this year but DH said all the birds were singing this morning and the pigeons were cooing so spring has definitely arrived. He also saw a few swallows, 'ours' usually come a bit later though.
CM
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Cukoo
Apr 29, 2009 16:59:16 GMT
Post by jc on Apr 29, 2009 16:59:16 GMT
Bearing in mind the main host species are the Dunnock (we always called them hedge sparrows), reed warbler & meadow pipit, and these species have also been in decline over the last decade, It is not too difficult to see where part of the problem lies. In my opinion the predation on the host species, and their nests, by an ever increasing population of sparrow hawks, magpies & domestic cats...is far more likely to be the real problem. Plus the fact the last two summers have been very cold & wet, this will have had a significant & detrimental effect on the number of moth & other insect larvae available to rear the chicks! Phil. There was a programme on the TV a while ago about it - the filming was amazing watching the cuckoo kick the eggs out of the nest so that only the cuckoo hatched. Even funnier when the cuckoo outgrew the nest!
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Cukoo
Apr 29, 2009 18:00:02 GMT
Post by phil on Apr 29, 2009 18:00:02 GMT
Bearing in mind the main host species are the Dunnock (we always called them hedge sparrows), reed warbler & meadow pipit, and these species have also been in decline over the last decade, It is not too difficult to see where part of the problem lies. In my opinion the predation on the host species, and their nests, by an ever increasing population of sparrow hawks, magpies & domestic cats...is far more likely to be the real problem. Plus the fact the last two summers have been very cold & wet, this will have had a significant & detrimental effect on the number of moth & other insect larvae available to rear the chicks! Phil. There was a programme on the TV a while ago about it - the filming was amazing watching the cuckoo kick the eggs out of the nest so that only the cuckoo hatched. Even funnier when the cuckoo outgrew the nest!I doubt the foster parents saw the funny side of it, having to work overtime to feed the darn thing? ;D
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Cukoo
Apr 29, 2009 19:37:49 GMT
Post by breadboy on Apr 29, 2009 19:37:49 GMT
heck, still to hear mine! Got to beat Grandad!
What is it they say, you can drill spring barley until you hear a cuckoo?
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Cukoo
Apr 29, 2009 20:58:58 GMT
Post by phil on Apr 29, 2009 20:58:58 GMT
heck, still to hear mine! Got to beat Grandad! What is it they say, you can drill spring barley until you hear a cuckoo?Hi Ryan. You have been listening to Derrick for too long! ;D ;D
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Cukoo
May 1, 2009 16:37:04 GMT
Post by breadboy on May 1, 2009 16:37:04 GMT
Derrick?
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