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My cousin, who lives in Wythenshawe, Manchester was telling me that when she was young (she is 78) so a long time ago, many Cuckoos were commonly seen and heard. Why is there a decline now?
I was discussing cuckoos only yesterday with my Father-in-law - neither of us have heard one this year as of yet. I'm in Norfolk, he in Suffolk. Don't think April has ever passed without us hearing one before.
In reply to Jonah:
Good question and one with no definite answer as yet, it is being looked at by a number of organisations as the decline is very worrying indeed. The BTO are tracking cuckoos to see where they go on migration as this may give some insight into the troubles they face. There are a few discussions going on about this in the other forums such as this one.
Studies in the UK are also looking at their interactions with their host species and their food supplies. It is likely that a number of factors are combining, resulting in this decline including habitat loss, climate change and the use of agrochemicals affecting the host species and the hairy caterpillars they feed on.
They are back in the UK now so if you are out and about in the countryside and you hear one, please record your sighting on Birdtrack.
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
In reply to IanH:
I saw something on the breakfast news about the birds that are being tracked. They had put trackers on 5, all made it to congo only 2 made it back, they are disapearing over the saraha and it might be because of the climate change in Africa meaning they aren't taking on enough food to make the flight home. :(
In reply to clefyddydau:
heard one today :)