One of the benefits of working on the National Chough survey at the moment is that I get to spend a bit more time than usual in North Wales where there seem to be lots more Cuckoos than there are in Mid-Wales.
Dave and I have had a quick go at catching some over the last couple of mornings with my newly acquired stuffed Cuckoo from a nic-nac shop in Clun (a very fortunate find). We have caught three so far but hope to increase that number in the near future.
One of the three male Cuckoos caught so far this year. It has no name, just a number!
On the way to one of the sites, in the very early hours, we spotted a Long-eared Owl coming out of a small clump of trees on the side of the road. Closer inspection on the way back (having successfully ringed two Cuckoos) revealed an old Magpie nest full to the brim with 6 Long-eared Owlets and an infertile egg.
Amazingly, given the size range within the brood, all 6 chicks, were ringable. Now why don't days like this happen more often?
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