Wicken Fen Cuckoos

[DrNickBurton]

I hoping to visit Wicken Fen in the spring, and hope to see (or at least hear ) a cuckoo there. Can anyone tell me the best time to go? At the moment I'm thinking the final week in May.

[Jonners]

Well if the old saying is anything to go by, "In May he sings all day", so I hope you are successful. It should be a good time for plenty more birds there too

[ChrisJB]

The last week in May I always feel to be the finest high point for bird song, so you ahould be bang on with your cuckoos Nick. It sounds a great day out.

Regards, Chris

[DavyG]

Nick,

We visited Wicken Fen on 30th May 2009, we heard cuckoos calling three times, each in a different area of the Fen, we saw one bird in flight but it was too far away to photograph.

I think this ties in with Jonners recommendation.

Dave

[JeffH]

Nick,

The Wicken Cuckoos typically begin to arrive on the Fen in mid-April, with the first call of 2009 being heard on the 18th April.

Although Cuckoo numbers generally have declined by about 60% in the last 30 years, Wicken Fen is still a stronghold with about eight female Cuckoos on the Fen during the Spring/Summer of 2009 and with around 10% of Reed Warbler nests parasitised by Cuckoos each Summer.

A trip in mid to late May should certainly yield sightings

Incidentally and so far as Spring bird song generally is concerned, the National Trust will be holding some 'dawn chorus' guided walks on the Fen over the early May Bank Holiday weekend (1st - 3rd May) when, quite coincidentally , I shall also be holding a Wildlife, Nature & Landscape photography exhibition there

Jeff

[DrNickBurton]

Some really excellent information in your replies - thanks everyone!

I'll be at Wicken Fen for 2-3 days taking photos, so I'm hopeful for a sighting.

[diggleken]

this is a terrific film, saw it last year I think (memory, whats that?) repeated this friday with Prof Nick Davies, the guru at Wicken fen for Cuckoos and must be watched if you have any interest..................it is chock full of amazing things and facts. Splendid stuff.
Wicken Fen: Press Releases
I hope you have a great time Nick - we dont get them up here as we used to, but there are still some around in the Upper Brushes valley at Stalybridge if lucky! (near the new RSPB reserve).
Cheers
Ken
edit - repeated on sunday too, 5pm.

[JeffH]

Sorry Ken but I think you'll find the film showings you're referring to were actually in January 2009 and are not later this week but yes, the film about the research undertaken by Nick Davies at Wicken was indeed excellent

Jeff

[Meta menardi]

I keep coming back to this thread, I would love to hear a cuckoo today. It's cold and the boiler isn't working (3 months old, thank you Brotash Grass, can't you at least take enough boring adverts off to pay to mend my heating?).

If the cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree, the cure for winter blues must be to go to where you can hear a Cuckoo.

[diggleken]

Originally Posted by JeffH

Sorry Ken but I think you'll find the film showings you're referring to were actually in January 2009 and are not later this week but yes, the film about the research undertaken by Nick Davies at Wicken was indeed excellent

Jeff

thanks Jeff well at least I know now when I saw it!
I heard a ref to it on TV a couple of days ago and put 2+2 together from the website via google, dope I am, just shows maths isnt my strong point - I'm very grateful for the correction of my cock up!
hope its not too late to mislead anyone, if you see what I mean................
still remains to point out, if it can be seen its worth watching for the behavioural oddities he researches.
Cheers
Ken