The first Cuckoo of the year returning to Dove Stone, probably from sub-Saharan overwintering grounds, was heard on May 4th. This will be the male giving the 'cuckoo' call. Since then we've heard regular calling from around the plantations behind Bradbury's Farm; yesterday was our first sighting however below Whimberry Rocks where a Cuckoo was seen being mobbed by Meadow Pipits - thanks once more to Jamie for news of this sighting. If you're up at Dove Stone and see Jamie around stop and say hello and he'll be happy to talk with you about what's out and about at any given time.
So, a bit more about the Common Cuckoo, cuculus canorus, family cuculidae and in particular a closer look at what may be going on with our Cuckoo and those Meadow Pipits right here at Dove Stone. Breeding for the Cuckoo starts around the end of this month. Obviously the Common Cuckoo is a brood parasite and the Meadow Pipit is one of its host species. Parasitic Cuckoos specialise in a particular host ( other common host species are Dunnock, Robin and Reed Warbler ) with the females being divided into groups according to their favoured host species, with some evidence to show that cuckoos differ genetically from each other according to which group that they belong to. Interestingly, the Common Cuckoo does have a resemblance to the Sparrowhawk - particularly in flight and with the barring on the underside; this mimicry can alarm potential hosts and give the female a greater chance to access a host's nest.
With Meadow Pipits as host species Cuckoos will be laying eggs that closely resemble the eggs of the pipits. That's not always the case as other species of cuckoo will lay eggs that are, for example, dark whilst their hosts' eggs will be light and this will hide the egg from the host, particularly those cuckoos that parasitize hosts with dark, domed nests. Smart.
The shells of the eggs of brood parasites will be usually thick with two distinct layers. The outer, chalky layer is thought to provide resistance to cracking when the eggs are dropped in the host nest. Other features that may give cuckoos a further advantage is that the cuckoo egg hatches earlier than the host's, followed by the well documented behaviour - going back to Edward Jenner in the late 18th century - of the Cuckoo chick removing the remaining host eggs from the nest.
Cuckoos apart, elsewhere around Dove Stone there have been recent sightings of Curlew - showing well, Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Peregrine, Red Grouse, Common Sandpipers, Kestrel and Swallows. Also one to lookout for that's been seen recently at Dove Stone is Redstart. Reports of Bullfinch up at Binn Green as well as our regular birds including Mistle Thrush, Jay, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Coal, Blue, Great and Long Tailed Tits.
Don't forget the Bog-Bodge guided walk this Sunday starting at 10am from the main carpark - full details on the events page. More soon...