Make the most of the cuckoo's call
| 14:33 UK time, Friday, 17 April 2009
After spending winter in Africa the cuckoo is expected to start arriving back in Britain from this week on.
The cuckoo has one of nature's most recognisable sounds - a truly unmistakable signal of spring. But wildlife experts reckon we should make the most of its distinctive two-note call while we can.
According to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) cuckoo numbers are in rapid decline and having already nosedived by 37 per cent between 1994 and 2007, they could soon be put on the endangered species list.
That's why we're keen to find out more about your experiences of the cuckoo's call.
When did you last hear it and where were you? Have you heard the cuckoo this year yet? Are you worried you may never hear it again?
You can contribute by clicking on the 'comment' link below. Don't worry if you haven't registered yet, it's a quick and easy process. Of course, you're also welcome to email your comments to us.
Want to know more about the cuckoo?
Comment number 1.
At 15:20 21st Apr 2009, gull wrote:I heard my first cuckoo of 2009 in East Germany last week.
I've yet to hear one in Wales this year though.
I also saw loads of red kites or 'rot milan' as they're known over there and if you're wondering where all our bees have gone... they're over there too!
I must have counted at least 5 different species of bee in one garden.
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Comment number 2.
At 08:31 22nd Apr 2009, birdblogger wrote:Saw and heard my first cuckoo at Newport Wetlands reserve (Uskmouth) Yesterday (21st) at about 9:00 am.
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Comment number 3.
At 19:32 22nd Apr 2009, MizzHLM89 wrote:I heard my first Cuckoo at Bronant near Aberystwyth yesterday the 21st of April during the evening light hopefully see one soon.
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Comment number 4.
At 16:13 24th Apr 2009, go4goffers wrote:At 10.55am on Friday 24th April I heard my first cuckoo of Spring while walking up the Sugar Loaf mountain in Abergavenny.
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Comment number 5.
At 18:07 27th Apr 2009, dimmerswitch wrote:First cuckoo heard on 19th April on Rhugog, just south of Cader Idris, southern Snowdonia.
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Comment number 6.
At 15:39 28th Apr 2009, crumpgirl wrote:Re the Cookoo article we heard one where we live near Blaenpennal Aberystwyth on Saturday.
This is about the same time that we heard them last year. Have also seen swallows about.
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Comment number 7.
At 19:29 29th Apr 2009, MrsJLM wrote:I heard my first cuckoo about 8 this morning near coed kernew in Newport.
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Comment number 8.
At 22:10 29th Apr 2009, ynotb1 wrote:my first cuckoo this year 29th april
misson north lincolnshire/south yorks
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Comment number 9.
At 09:34 8th May 2009, Ericamedi wrote:Heard the first cuckoo on Thursday May 30th. Near Beulah, Powys.
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Comment number 10.
At 09:40 8th May 2009, graham250 wrote:We heard a cuckoo on Monday May 4 in the New Forest. - the Willmotts
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Comment number 11.
At 00:07 10th May 2009, brassknocker137 wrote:Just found this blog, heard my first cuckoo 2 weeks ago at the Magor Marsh Reserve - not that far from the Newport Wetlands. Saw a whitethroat this week - welcome Spring!
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Comment number 12.
At 20:51 10th May 2009, hsellis wrote:i heard my first cuckoo over a week ago up Hope Mountain in Flintshire, North east wales.
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Comment number 13.
At 12:45 18th May 2009, birdwatcherbev wrote:heard and saw fleetingly my first cuckoo 17th May near Twmbarlwm, Risca in Newport
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Comment number 14.
At 22:03 28th May 2009, niceredkite wrote:Hi. My wife & I heard a cuckoo in the Gwaun Valley,Pembrokeshire,on 14th May.
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Comment number 15.
At 07:32 29th May 2009, rosbath wrote:hi there, i first heard a cookoo this year at the beginning of may, just outside of Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire. And again right now, on the 29th may.
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Comment number 16.
At 21:30 29th May 2009, invergloyone wrote:I heard and saw a cuckoo on the north shore of Loch Scridain, Isle of Mull (at the foot of Ben More) on 12 May.
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Comment number 17.
At 22:42 29th May 2009, tadpaul wrote:Cuckoo first heard Mon 25/5/2009
DE159DE
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Comment number 18.
At 11:35 30th May 2009, Crummett wrote:Heard the Cuckoo 2nd May here in Wreningham Norfolk this year 09
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Comment number 19.
At 22:03 31st May 2009, twinklefisherman wrote:While fishing on Loch Dallas near Boat of Garten in the Scottish Highlands I heard my first cuckoo on 4 May.
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Comment number 20.
At 14:35 1st Jun 2009, Fruity_bat wrote:I heard my first Cuckoo, whilst walking around Helmeth Hill in Church Stretton, Shropshire on Friday May 29th
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Comment number 21.
At 22:03 1st Jun 2009, nuttybroomstick wrote:Heard cockoo with bubbly call wed may 27th.and saw it flying over the garden .We live in Buckand Surrey. This was at 6-30am
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Comment number 22.
At 21:24 2nd Jun 2009, adderbeauty wrote:I hear a cuckoo every morning. I live in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. haven't seen it yet though.
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Comment number 23.
At 19:13 3rd Jun 2009, Nikkiwoo wrote:We heard our first Cuckoo about 3 weeks ago and heard it again this week whilst walking around Hendre lake in St Mellons, Cardiff.
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Comment number 24.
At 15:33 4th Jun 2009, sunlight57 wrote:HI - I live in area LL54 Nr. Pwllheli, N. Wales and lst heard the cuckoo in April. He was then quiet for a while, but we have been listening to his song nearly every day this week, including today, and this seems to be not very far away. I am lucky enough to hear him every year at some time or another. I live in an area of outstanding natural beauty with plenty of differing habitat.
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Comment number 25.
At 21:01 4th Jun 2009, jackshaw12345 wrote:I heard a cuckoo on the 29/5/09 while I was on a 8 mile bike ride in sherwood pines forest park near Edwinstowe notts.
jack shaw aged 13.
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Comment number 26.
At 22:32 4th Jun 2009, bmb1943 wrote:I heard my first cuckoo while i was walking my dogs on April 14 09 at 11.30on outskirts of Andover near Enham Alimain
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