Cuckooness....!

Jimbob said:

Thanks again for all the comments, I was very lucky indeed.

Kezmo, I know it seems silly but it honestly works! 

I remember reading a Mike Tomkies book years ago, and he remarked that when a golden eagle flew nearby he would impersonate a Juvenile and it would usually investigate him closer, giving Mike the chance of a closer image.

I have tried it with Goldies....Buzzards, and of course Cuckoos, even Hen harriers hunting sometimes investigate closer if you give a whistle similar to one the female gives to the male when collecting food.

A mate and I were bored at work one day, and he was showing me how to do the Tawny owl impression when I accidentally came out with the Cuckoo noise....cue fits of giggles!!! but it's proved a very useful tool.

Hi Jimmy

Actually, despite the fact that I'm useless at imitation, (I can't do any UK or foreign accents), I can sometimes seem to manage a whistle like my local red kite, and if he hears me he usually comes in for a closer look. That's how I got my latest shots of him. :-)

Best wishes Chris

Wow!! Just come back for a second and better look!! Astounding photos! Really, really stunning! Think I'm going to have to go and find myself a nice little corner in a very remote location and practice some 'cuckoo-ing'!!!

Hi Jim

All I can say is wow and wow and wow what fabulous all action pictures of the cuckoo.  Such a rare sight to see these days.

I have done a Tawny Owl intimation in the past, and that does bring them closer - not always close enough to see them, but to hear them instead.  They are always well hidden in a tree.  They are very vocal especially at breeding time.

Funnily enough I can impersonate a blackbird chinking, mand that can set of a load of return chinks.  I remember walking in an local area to me in the countryside in Scotland, and I could see for miles over the valley.  A few chinks, and it set every Blackbird of in the area.

Still I would not overdo it though as any wildlife presenter will say to you.  for a photographic opportunity is a must though as the cuckoo shows. {big smile}

Last time I heard a cuckoo was at Marston Vlae Country Park last year.  I also heard one while on holiday in Menorca last May 2009, and this one was very vocal.  Its song echoed for miles across the water in the nearby bay.  Very haunting indeed.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Jimbob said:

Hi all, I caught up with a lovely confiding Cuckoo today, I watched him from very close range catching various types of caterpillars.

Here are a few of the better shots that I thought you may enjoy.

In flight with Caterpillar

.

Eating said Caterpillar

With Northern Eggar moth Caterpillar.

And looking stuffed!

 

One of my very favourite birds, and a real pleasure to photograph.

 

 

Jimmy.

Fantastic, Jimbob!

Fab pictures.  We have cuckoos here in France, flying over and 'hiding' while singing.  We also had them at the back of our house where we lived in England (3 miles from the RSPB lodge)!!  I have a few distant pictures, but yours are brilliant!!

Jacy.

Thanks again for all the nice comments, but mostly thanks to the Cuckoo...without whom, I would just have a picture of a fencepost and a levitating caterpillar!!

Seriously though, Thankyou all very, very much.

Jimmy.

Hi Jimbob,

Superb photo's in every aspect.

Heard my first of the year last week, last year I heard and sighted six.

Regards Buzzard