Cuckoo observations on Dartmoor.

[Chas]

Back on the Moor last night. The weather was on the turn and the birds seemed to be really inactive but they still called almost constantly. I set up my hide in the usual place and frustratingly the males were singing almost constantly. I identified at least 6 individuals by their calls. I also heard the "whoosing?Bubbling" calls regularly.
After about two hours this Buzzard landed in the tree in front but now almost dark I hardly got a photo, inspite of the flash gun. The Buzzard immediately came under attack from a mobbing Carrion Crow. I was pleased that these birds landed in the tree because it proved that my hide and cover was doing its job. More to follow.

[Mercadante]

Snowdrop wrote:I was surprised to hear so many reports on hearing cuckoos on Springwatch. I was a little'un last the time I heard its call

You're probably right that that's because of loss of habitat, but for what it's worth I simply cannot hear the cuckoo that my aged parents tell me has been frequently and loudly calling around here for a month. And my general hearing is, not great, but apparently within the normal range, and much better than my parents' for high pitches. I don't know how common this tragic species of deafness is - does anyone else have it? I'm hoping that when I get older and lose my upper hearing too, the cuckoo will become audible.

[Dadzinsky]

A great set of reports Chas, and very interesting, still waiting for my first clear sighting of a Cuckoo, plenty of 'hearings' and glimpses... any chance of a pic of your hide set-up, so that I know what i need to head towards.

[Chas]

This is my Chair Hide and the one that I took the cuckoo photo from.
I also carry with me some cam netting, you can buy it from Government Surplus shops. I use this to drape over the legs of the Tripod etc. or if I have the front of the hide open for a more all round view I use it to cover the entrance but I can still see through. The hide is quite comfortable so with a flask and a few snacks the time can pass very quickly especially if there is lots going on. I have used this on the Estuary and been within 3/4 feet of Goldeneye, Little and Cattle Egret as well as Greenshank etc. In the garden I have been litteraly 6 inches from Siskin and Blackcap. However the most thrilling encounter was def the Cuckoo. It is light and comes in a bag that you carry like a rucksack and you dont even know you have got it with you. Have a look at my PBase Gallery here and my Blog and you will see what rsults you can get by being patient and getting as close to your subject as you can.
PBase: Charlie's Photo Galleries at pbase.com
Blog: Wildlife in a Suburban Garden

[Dadzinsky]

Thanks for that Chas, I think I need to go shopping....