With migrants returning every day now, people are starting to see and hear new things. Had a great text today from our friend Martin of LifeofRiley, with a great first of the year report. While out walking with friends above the village of Lanjaron at around 1300m, he heard an unmistakable sound…the first Cuckoo of the year!
I have to say the news had me trawling through last year’s blogs to see when it was I heard mine. Just the one time, while I was working up on the hill…18th April, 2009. Martin has come in 11 days earlier, and just a little higher up the same mountain. Excellent stuff!
Wintering in Africa, the Cuckoo breeds throughout Europe and can be found right across Spain. Familiar everywhere for its famous call, there is often less certainty regarding its appearance. The slim body, small head, long tail and pointed wings can suggest a bird of prey, as can the plain grey or brown plumage and the black barring across the white chest. The expressive tail is often cocked however, and the wings often point down and and hang below it, giving a fairly unique posture and bodyshape.
Perhaps this individual is still on passage and is headed many hundreds of miles north. It could be however that the warblers of our local hillsides and the reedbeds of Padul need to take extra care, and that there are patrolling females nearby. An interesting thought!
April continues to look better and better…there’s always something interesting to see now so don’t forget to check all our updates!
