The Lincolnshire Bird Club

m. Cuckoo seen and heard calling at 8am from wires above a paddock 1 mile north east of Sutton St James. A reliable site, Cuckoos have been present here for at least the last 16 springs.

Cuckoo seen and heard in the same location at 7.19 am on 26th April. Seems to have gone quiet since.

The cuckoos' arrival here always seems in synch with their presumed targets, the reed warblers, now busily pairing up beside the nearby Holland. But what do the cuckoos eat when they first land? I haven't yet seen any of the hairy moth caterpillars that are reported as being their diet.

Jonathan

The diet of the Cuckoo in spring is probably much more varied than is generally realized. Above head height, there is no doubt a large emergence of various caterpillars in the fresh tree canopies and evergreens, but at times, supplies must be somewhat erratic.

Cuckoos are quite versatile birds and will take large numbers of insects, particularly beetles, and also their larvae. Here, on the dunes at Donna Nook, I have watched spring Cuckoos feeding avidly on ants, and later during the summer, I have seen them exploiting the abundance of grasshoppers on the outmarshes.

Cuckoos seem very partial to the Drinker Moth caterpillars which are available (and obvious) in April in reeds and a variety of sedges and grasses.

Alan

Thanks Stephen and Alan - interesting that cuckoos are more adventurous in diet than generally thought. (I have had a good look for Drinker moth caterpillars by the Holland but no success so far.)

Cuckoo heard again here from 7am on 29th April and 9am on 30th April but not since.

Jonathan