The Cuckoo has arrived!

Sundew · Hazel Tree Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 43 Location: Dublin

I heard my first cuckoo last Saturday the 18th of April in Co. Mayo.

Glorious afternoon and it felt like Summer. It was going crazy Very Happy

walltoall · Last edited by walltoall on Sun May 10, 2009 7:13 pm; edited 2 times in total

Good on you Sundew. Our 'resident' South Ockendon cuckoo has not arrived yet and now I'm worried! He has always been an early cuckoo. I wonder did he take a left turn at Brest instead of a right? Did you notice by any chance if your lad has an Essex accent? For people looking to hear Cuckoos in the Dublin area, head for Kildare Street when the Dáil is in session.

We all learned this in National School in the 40s:
The cuckoo comes in April
He sings his song in May
In June he changes tune
And in July he flies away

Sean Ph'lib · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject:

No cuckoo here yet. Sad

I consider the day I hear the first cuckoo as one of the greatest days of the year! It seems to say "Here we are - we've survived another winter!" I'm all ears!

Her Outdoors · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject:

I heard it first ten days ago here in the West, and my husband heard it again on Saturday. Happy days!!

Sundew · Hazel Tree Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 43 Location: Dublin

Walltoall:

My Granny always used to recite a very similar poem to me:

"The cuckoo comes in April,
He sings his song in May,
He whistles a tune at the end of June
and then he flies away" Very Happy

Heroutdoors: Yes I believe the cuckoo has been down West for a while as I was out walking with my cousins 2 little boys (both under 10) and when I told them ,with great excitement,itw as the cuckoo, they just shrugged their shoulders and said yeah we heard him before Rolling Eyes

Sean Ph'lib · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 9:03 am Post subject:

Cuckoo arrived yesterdat evening - began calling just before nightfall. Smile

2 days later than last year. One of my neighbours told me last week he'd been hearing the cuckoo for the last two weeks. While we were talking he said: "Listen! There he is again!" It was a Collared Dove. I think a lot of people make the same mistake nowadays. Years ago, there were no Collared Doves, now they're everywhere.

Liparis · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 10:38 am Post subject:

Strange you should say that about the collared dove, we always had loads of them here, it's another bird that's vanished this year, completely absent! I'm beginning to wonder what's happening to the birds here, there isn't any major farming, it's all made up of small cattle and sheep farms, no crops. habitat seems OK. Sparrow hawks are still around along with the peregrine that nests near by, but they can't account for what's missing.
Bill.

Sean Ph'lib · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 3:26 pm Post subject:

What's the status of the cat population?

michelle M · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 4:42 pm Post subject:

The cuckoo has been here for over a week. I've heard him all day today- must be the good weather

Liparis · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject:

Sean Ph'lib · Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 7:10 pm Post subject:

I'd give my eye teeth for a pair of flycatchers, but you're welcome to the bullies! Laughing