Cuckoo - Latest Photos

Juvenile Cuckoo sat patiently waiting for food.

Checking to see if the food is coming from the other direction!

Food on its way.

Nearly there

Success

A quick wing stretch after.

A short video clip.

Cuckoo (again) and YLG

The first spell of rain for some time arrived this morning causing me to change plans.  I dropped into Little Marlow under an umbrella and soon came across Adam Bassett at the watch point.

The male Scaup was still present off the west side of the sand spit. On the sand spit was a mixture of gulls including an early Common Gull and a couple of Yellow-legged Gulls.  Also present were an adult Little Egret that seemed to be harassing a juvenile Little Egret, plus an adult Little Ringed Plover.  Adam said that the juvenile Cuckoo was still around, so I decided to take a look before leaving the site.  I soon found it on call in a conifer close to the west side public footpath, still being fed by the host Reed Warblers.  I should think they will be relieved when it becomes independant!

Scaup

Yellow-legged Gull - 1

Yellow-legged Gull - 2

Cuckoo and Reed Warbler - 6th July

Cuckoo and Reed Warbler - 6th July

Juvenile Cuckoo with Reed Warbler just out of shot. -- 11th July

Reed Warbler - One free of Cuckoo troubles!

Scaup in July!

Adam Bassett found a Scaup at Little Marlow this morning.  The ID was at doubt initially with the concerns of a possible hybrid, however it was later confirmed as a Scaup.  The bird was still present late afternoon, as was Adam, who had returned for a second look.
The bird possible still present on 11th.

Possible Scaup - Click to enlarge

On 11th July off west side of sand spit.

Juvenile Cuckoo at Little Marlow GP

On 5th July I was notified by Alan Stevens that a juvenile Cuckoo could be seen in a bush at Little Marlow GP. The bush was on the edge of the lake where a reed bed often attracts Reed Warblers to breed.  A Cuckoo fledged from the same vicinity last year but I was away and missed it.
When I arrived I met Graham Smith and we were soon watching the bird as it sat in the bush and was repeatedly fed by it's foster parents.  I managed a few photos and a short video.

The Cuckoo sat still for periods

From time time is would call for food.

One of the Reed Warblers bringing in food.

Above:- A short video clip of the Cuckoo being fed.

The following day the young Cuckoo had moved about 30 metres and was perched fairly high in a tree.  It was hard to see but given away by it's begging calls.  This is probably the last we will see of this bird.