Cuckoo hunt, this afternoon

There was a young cuckoo hanging around a couple of weeks ago, when I was away from home at the Lakes. Heard of no recent sightings until yesterday (thought I'd missed my chance and it would be on its way to Africa).

I saw it this morning while letting Stan try out my Siggie 150-500. When the sun came out this afternoon I went looking for it again. Saw more dragonflies in 5 mins than I have all summer too.

All with the K5 and Sigma 150-500



Female Ruddy Darter by Blythman1960, on Flickr



Cuckoo by Blythman1960, on Flickr



Cuckoo and its posts by Blythman1960, on Flickr



Cuckoo settled by Blythman1960, on Flickr



Cuckoo and a snack by Blythman1960, on Flickr

Well captured, I have not seen one of these (cuckoo) since I was a kid.

Beautiful pics Alan - and how fantastic to see a Cuckoo. I haven't heard one since the mid-eighties, and I've never seen one in the flesh. Excellent shots too!

Great catch Alan ! The last is a really beautiful shot. Well done indeed.

Yesterday was my first outing with the D800 and Sigma 500 and we spotted 3 Oriental Cuckoos (2xM and 1xF) but I couldn't get any decent shots (record shots only) as these birds flew back and forth between two locations (in 10 secs) that required us trudging 10 mins in each direction - we gave up after the fourth attempt, they were just playing with us

Had the consolation (major !) of the exceedingly rare Fairy Pitta though.

Excellent shots Alan, like Mat the last time I saw one was the mid-eighties at wraysbury Gravel Pits. Thank you for sharing these with us its so nice to see one again!

Wow Alan, you must have got a lot closer in the afternoon. All excellent and Cuckoo and Snack is my favourite

ps. more convinced than ever now

Excellent shots Alan .. never seen a Cuckoo before.

Heard one last year but (like Frogfish) every time we got near it just flew in the opposite direction .. just saw a spot flying off into the distance.

Cuckoo and a snack - I really like that one

Can't say I have ever seen a cuckoo in the feather so to speak but I can always hope

You have shown how 'sticking with it' can produce results

Well, Alan, you've really nailed these!

I understand cuckoos are being heard less these days, let alone seen. But your combination of field-craft / knowing the bird & the technical skill you've brought to your images is an inspiration to all birders on PU!
Thanks for letting us see,

Roger.

Thanks for comments everyone. Great to see a cuckoo. A briefest glimpse I saw of one about 4 weeks ago was the first I have ever seen

Went back today for another look.. Photos to follow