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Presenters Meeting: The Clash

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The Mole | 17:50 UK time, Thursday, 28 May 2009

Yet again the production team and the on-site presenters are gathered around the table, discussing tonight's programme. First stop, the chaffinch chicks. Will they fledge or won't they? Apparently someone on the message boards has suggested that they are waiting for a book deal. This is not a surprise as they are the stars of the show.

To demonstrate what is going on on the webcams, Kate and Chris impersonate the chicks, almost falling out of the nest but then reigning themselves back in. They look like a couple of Weebles - wobbling but not falling down. The chicks have some stiff competition.

Someone suggests that shots of the chaffinch chicks should be accompanied by sounds of The Clash singing Should I Stay Or Should I Go?, but Chris is firmly against it as he feels that the band had lost their punk edge by then and had gone 'all pop'. Hannah, the Assistant Producer, bursts into Crowded House's Don't Dream It's Over - a song which includes the lyrics "Go now, go now" - and is immediately awarded a grey cloud by Chris. So we may be back with The Clash after all.

After the chaffinches, they turn to the whitethroat that has been found. Apparently this bird, like all sylvian warblers, is absolutely rubbish at building nests and the nest we are filming is slowly slipping out of sight and threatens to overturn. Everyone discusses the possibilities of holding it up with some cotton thread disguised as a spider's web, or some super glue disguised as a glistening bead of dew, but all options are dismissed. This is the BBC after all (and no one can find the superglue or cotton thread).

Next up the stoats. A nest has been found and everybody loves them. Cute, fluffy, clownish ... and prone to incest. Apparently the adult males have sex with their own young. Everyone hopes tonight won't be the night...

But on to more important things like screen time. Chris says he is going to walk everywhere really slowly so he can have more screen time than Kate. Kate says she is going to take hours to put pins in the map so she can have more screen time than Chris. Both are awarded a gold star to get them to concentrate.

Conversation then turns to the shelduck which is nesting in a rabbit hole. Everyone happily watches the cameramen pass by the window on their way to set up the shelduck camera... until Martin Hughes-Games points out that shelducks can get very touchy when disturbed and may desert their nest. The producer runs out of the portacabin and disappears into the distance, calling for the cameramen to stop.

While the producer is away, the series-producer awards Martin a gold star for his top-tip but makes the mistake of saying that it is 'because he hasn't got one'. This sets the other two off and there is moral outrage about how the all-important star system is being debased.

In an attempt to save the situation, the producer says that if things go according to plan tonight she will eat the sofa. It works. Everyone becomes instantly insentivised and the tone is suddenly much more constructive. Hurrah!

Comments

  • 1. At 8:44pm on 28 May 2009, Penivan wrote:

    We have heard cuckoos from as early as the beginning of April:-we live
    in Brede,East Sussex. Since that time cuckoos have cbeen evident to date.

    penivan

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  • 2. At 8:50pm on 28 May 2009, handsomedocsally wrote:

    We live in a village between Oxford and Aylesbury. We have been hearing cuckoos regularly over the last month or so. I last heard one 2 days ago.

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  • 3. At 8:52pm on 28 May 2009, PEJOYCE wrote:

    We heard our first Cuckoo last Sunday afternoon (24/05) at Thorness, near Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

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  • 4. At 8:52pm on 28 May 2009, hafodnews wrote:

    for the last two weeks we have heard the cuckoo daily, we live in Cwmystwyth Mid Wales.

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  • 5. At 8:52pm on 28 May 2009, WonkeyDonkey47 wrote:

    Hi, we live in a little village called West Hougham and although we are 10 minutes from the centre of Dover we are in a very rural area and have heard the cuckoo for a few weeks now. We heard him last year too although I've never seen him unfortunately. We have also had plenty of frogs and newts in our pond as we did last year so we have been very lucky. : )

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  • 6. At 8:53pm on 28 May 2009, marway1 wrote:

    We heard the cuckoo on the 2nd May while playing golf at the Rhondda Golf Club Rhondda South Wales,and have heard it a few time since.

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  • 7. At 8:53pm on 28 May 2009, TheKinsellas wrote:

    We have had a cuckoo in this area for atleast a month. We live in the Maldon District of Essex. It calls constantly through the day, every day. We watched it flying from tree to tree at the weekend, from the end of our garden. Brilliant!

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  • 8. At 8:53pm on 28 May 2009, tphatrick wrote:

    A CUCKOO HAS BEEN HEARD IN GARELOCHHEAD ARGYLL & BUTE IT IS STILL IN THE AREA AND CAN STILL BE HEARD IT ALWAYS ARRIVES IN THIS AREA ON OR ABOUT THE 28th APRIL AND HAS BEEN AT LEAST ONE IN THIS AREA FOR THE PAST 35 YEARS. THERE ALSO A WOOD PECKER IN THE SAME WOODS

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  • 9. At 8:55pm on 28 May 2009, marvellousbraveheart wrote:

    Was in Pine forest just north of Callander in Perthshire on 20/5/09 and was pleased to hear a cuckoo. Surprised no one else appears to have heard one in Scotland.

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  • 10. At 8:56pm on 28 May 2009, CharlieGirl3 wrote:

    Heard a cuckoo in Blakeney, Norfolk, on 10th May. We used to have a regular cuckoo visitor on Lincoln's South Common, but not heard it yet - has anyone else? It would be very sad if we've lost it.

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  • 11. At 8:56pm on 28 May 2009, jaynems wrote:

    First coockoo heard last week in Sturt Common, Kinlet, Bewdley DY12
    Then two days later in Earnswood Copse Wyre Forest, Bewdley DY12

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  • 12. At 8:56pm on 28 May 2009, brianbignell wrote:

    Here in Saltfleet, Lincolnshire there has been a cuckoo since mid April

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  • 13. At 8:56pm on 28 May 2009, wildmaggieT wrote:

    I first heard the cuckoo on sunday evening on May 17th.
    Last year I didn't hear it.I live near alton in Hampshire.

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  • 14. At 8:57pm on 28 May 2009, robert_photog wrote:

    We heard a cuckoo calling at Dinton Pastures Country Park, Wokingham, Berkshire on Wednesday 13th May 2009, late evening.

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  • 15. At 8:57pm on 28 May 2009, cooldavedaf wrote:

    The Cuckoos were a week or two later than last year possibly due to our long winter but are now back. Have heard two and possible three and seen definately one. These are on the SSSI at Saltfleet, Louth between Saltfleet and North Somercotes. It would be a sorry world without these birds, they tell me that Spring has arrived.

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  • 16. At 8:58pm on 28 May 2009, ianknockerkay wrote:

    I heard a Cuckoo calling on the 22nd May in the reed beds surrounding Woodvale Aerodrome,Formby, North Merseyside at sunset.

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  • 17. At 8:58pm on 28 May 2009, lifeSummers wrote:

    I heard and saw several cukoos while staing on the Isle of Mull May 9th - 16th and heard one on May 26th at home near Yeovil in Somerset.

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  • 18. At 8:58pm on 28 May 2009, paige1979 wrote:

    Hi,
    I hear a cuckoo most times I walk my dog, at various location over Cannock Chase beaudesert old park pits. I ve heard it but didnt take much notice till I watches the show but would say ive heard them for the last month give or take.

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  • 19. At 8:58pm on 28 May 2009, poppypeterb wrote:

    We heard a cookoo on the 15th May, Twemlow Lane, Cranage, Cheshire. CW4 8EX.

    Very nice to hear, but I do think they should build their own nests, lazy sods!

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  • 20. At 8:58pm on 28 May 2009, paige1979 wrote:

    Hi,
    I hear a cuckoo most times I walk my dog, at various location over Cannock Chase, beaudesert old park pits. I ve heard it but didnt take much notice till I watches the show but would say ive heard them for the last month give or take.

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  • 21. At 8:59pm on 28 May 2009, markusraven wrote:

    I Heard a cuckoo today at 12:30pm on Potter Fell, Stavely, near kendal, cumbria.

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  • 22. At 9:01pm on 28 May 2009, helenwouldbephd wrote:

    Cuckoo heard in South Derbyshire last weekend in the National Forest between Melbourne and Ticknall. It does seem later thatn usual.

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  • 23. At 9:01pm on 28 May 2009, ramblinganthony wrote:

    WENT ON A BLUEBELL WALK AT YEW TREE FARM, NR WOOTON WAWEN IN WARWICKSHIRE ON 12TH MAY. WOODED AREA, HEARD CUCKOO IN THE WOODS.

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  • 24. At 9:01pm on 28 May 2009, midnightcuckoo wrote:

    I haven't heard any cukoos in the UK yet, but I was at Lake Garda 2 weeks ago and there were plenty of them there!

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  • 25. At 9:01pm on 28 May 2009, HARRYSYLV wrote:

    we have heard the cuckoo in two locations this year first was 7th may in dunkirk near canterbury kent and on 10th may in south wilderton wood near faversham kent

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  • 26. At 9:02pm on 28 May 2009, yin-yang-turtle wrote:

    Myself & my 9 year-old, Hannah, heard a cuckoo clear-as-day this morning (28th May) at Pegwell Day Nature Reserve near Sandwich, Kent which was good timing as I had told her that I spent a fine hour-or-two a couple of years ago in the same spot watching a cuckoo. She wasn't convinced about it but she is now!

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  • 27. At 9:02pm on 28 May 2009, seadottyb wrote:

    On 21st May we heard the Cuckoo near Northleach in gloucestershire during the afternoon

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  • 28. At 9:02pm on 28 May 2009, dgwhithorn wrote:

    saw one on friday 15th may at new luce in dumfries and galloway gr195647

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  • 29. At 9:03pm on 28 May 2009, mowatch wrote:

    My husband heard a cuckoo in Burnham On Sea, Somerset weekend of
    23rd/24th May early morning around 7am!

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  • 30. At 9:03pm on 28 May 2009, mowatch wrote:

    My husband heard a cuckoo in Burnham On Sea, Somerset weekend of
    23rd/24th May early morning around 7am! Maureen Holland.

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  • 31. At 9:03pm on 28 May 2009, wilmasmerlin wrote:

    We heard cuckoos at Attenborough Nature Centre near Nottingham on Tuesday 26th May.
    I haven't heard cuckoos where I live for at least two years.

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  • 32. At 9:05pm on 28 May 2009, singingmaggiemay wrote:

    For the last few weeks I have heard the cuckoo every morning in woodland near by, and the area is Hood Green Barnsley.

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  • 33. At 9:05pm on 28 May 2009, helenwouldbephd wrote:

    Cuckoo heard in South Derbyshire in National Forest plantation between Melbourne & Ticknall last weekend. They do seem to be late arriving this year.

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  • 34. At 9:05pm on 28 May 2009, hevsterchicken wrote:

    I heard a cuckoo on Sunday 10th May at Ardmair, about 4 miles North-west of Ullapool in the west of Scotland.

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  • 35. At 9:05pm on 28 May 2009, AidansBobby wrote:


    Walking between Fordham Heath (CO3) and West Bergholt (Hillhouse Wood), Essex on 2/5/2009 at around 10.45 am we heard a cuckoo for about 20 mins.

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  • 36. At 9:06pm on 28 May 2009, geojoro wrote:

    west raynham in norfolk, 23 may,

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  • 37. At 9:06pm on 28 May 2009, milvusluver wrote:

    heard and saw cuckoo two weeks ago, in and around a large field above clapham, near to bedford. it stayed around for a week, before moving on

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  • 38. At 9:07pm on 28 May 2009, AidansBobby wrote:


    Walking between Fordham Heath and West Bergholt (Hillhouse Wood), Essex on 2/5/2009 at around 10.45 am we heard a cuckoo for about 20 mins.

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  • 39. At 9:07pm on 28 May 2009, hapsnappypappy wrote:

    Two Cuckoo's heard at Cadmans Pool in the new forest in the wooded area down in the gorge this is also a great place to see many bird spieces from nuthatch to chaffinch with canada geese as well

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  • 40. At 9:08pm on 28 May 2009, bobski2009 wrote:

    We live in Alkborough in North Lincolnshire and heard a cuckoo this afternoon. There is a farm, woods and a managed floodland area quite close by - we often hear cuckoos from April onwards.

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  • 41. At 9:08pm on 28 May 2009, lonsct wrote:

    Heard cuckoo distinctly whilst hill-walking in Glen Affric, Inverness-shire.

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  • 42. At 9:08pm on 28 May 2009, garyvalenti wrote:

    I Live near Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park between Drymen and Balfron, I have heard a cuckoo several times over the last week, sadly still not spotted it yet.

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  • 43. At 9:09pm on 28 May 2009, bbeater wrote:

    On Dartmoor last week (18-25 May) we heard the cuckoo in four different locations. Near where we were staying at Moortown, King Tor near Widecombe, Cuckoo Rock near Burrator Reservoir and Higher Godsworthy just outside Tavistock.
    I was also sent a photo of a cuckoo sitting on a post near St. Piran's Oratory, Perranporth.

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  • 44. At 9:09pm on 28 May 2009, twingrahamwalker wrote:

    In reply to your request for cuckoo sightings.There has been a cuckoo coming back to a wooded area in upper Cabrach,Huntly,Aberdeenshire for several years. I speak to one of the locals weekly and it returned this year about 1st May.

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  • 45. At 9:10pm on 28 May 2009, juneym wrote:

    At 9.00 am on 23 May at Cranham Brickfields, RM14 just within the
    M25 boundary. Have heard constantly every day since.

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  • 46. At 9:10pm on 28 May 2009, AndrewHebden wrote:

    Have heard the cuckoo for about the last 3 or 4 weeks. Have seen one on top of a pine tree and heard at least 2. Usually early morning and evening. Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

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  • 47. At 9:11pm on 28 May 2009, 3merlin wrote:

    we have at least one cuckoo serenading us all day at the tirpentwys nature reserve near Pontypool Torfaen

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  • 48. At 9:12pm on 28 May 2009, mgrainford wrote:

    We heard a cuckoo in the Borrowdale valley, near Grange, Cumbria on the 21 May 2009 around 2pm

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  • 49. At 9:13pm on 28 May 2009, Nirroc wrote:

    I have been hearing a cuckoo for 3 weeks now. I live at Birdham, Near Chichester, West Sussex

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  • 50. At 9:13pm on 28 May 2009, superwarden wrote:

    I am warden on a holiday park/farm in Bletchingdon in Oxfordshire. I heard my first and only cuckoo mid afternoon on Thurday 21 May. Like others, I did not realise it was becoming scarce, but thinking back I hear it less now than when I was younger. We do however have yellow hammers on our site which I believe are also on the red list.

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  • 51. At 9:14pm on 28 May 2009, johnmcinally wrote:

    How do you get to the cuckoo survey?

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  • 52. At 9:15pm on 28 May 2009, penjaneh wrote:

    I heard the cuckoo first around 20th April this year - later than usual! I live in Tenterden, Kent, & was happily listening to it whilst in my garden only this afternoon!

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  • 53. At 9:16pm on 28 May 2009, teredigg wrote:

    We heard the cuckoo at Holland Pits Nature reserve clacton essex at the middle of april when taking the dog for a walk.This is the first time we have heard it for about three years.

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  • 54. At 9:16pm on 28 May 2009, JaamPot wrote:

    We heard a cuckoo 3 days ago in the Rectory in Stokeflemming, Dartmouth, Devon. We are out alot and will write everytime we hear one.

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  • 55. At 9:17pm on 28 May 2009, CricketCrofter wrote:

    My wife and I heard a cuckoo last week, 22nd May, in woodland surrounding Whippingham Church which is near East Cowes on the Isle of Wight

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  • 56. At 9:17pm on 28 May 2009, romeroger wrote:

    Heard a cuckoo many times,on Cruachan,above Loch Awe,Scotland.
    Tuesday 12th May

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  • 57. At 9:18pm on 28 May 2009, janjanpod wrote:

    Cuckoo regularly heard over the last 3 weeks around Hutton Village Guisborough, North Yorks. Seen yesterday in Guisborough woods. Another one heard near Roseberry Topping, North Yorks.

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  • 58. At 9:19pm on 28 May 2009, grandebosse wrote:

    I heard a cuckoo on the north of Bute during Wk/Comm 20th April.
    On my next stay on the Kyles I heard a cuckoo on the North of Bute and behind Rhubaan (Tighnabruaich, Argyll) during Wk/Comm 11th May.

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  • 59. At 9:19pm on 28 May 2009, Brodger wrote:

    We heard a Cuckoo on the Isle of Arran on May 14th.

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  • 60. At 9:19pm on 28 May 2009, janetandian wrote:

    We live in Nocton seven miles south of Lincoln. We heard our first cuckoo this year in the nearby woods about ten days ago. Have heard it a couple of times since.

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  • 61. At 9:20pm on 28 May 2009, exmoor2 wrote:

    We heard our first Cuckoo on 14th April at Allerford woods near Selworthy, also on the 25th June at Winsford Hill near the Punch Bowl,& also one at Tarr Steps. We also hear one at Hopcott woods in Minehead

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  • 62. At 9:20pm on 28 May 2009, catbuck wrote:

    I heard my first cuckoo of 2009 in Gosmore near Hitchin, Hertfordshire on the 28th April.

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  • 63. At 9:20pm on 28 May 2009, bushcombe wrote:

    We heard the cuckoo may 24th on Cleeve Hill Cheltenham

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  • 64. At 9:21pm on 28 May 2009, ADIDriving wrote:

    Last week I heard the cuckoo everyday in woodland at Park Coppice which is near the edge of lake Coniston in Cumbria.

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  • 65. At 9:21pm on 28 May 2009, Brodger wrote:

    My wife heard a Cuckoo from our house in Battle (nr Brecon) in Powys on Tuesday 26th May.

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  • 66. At 9:21pm on 28 May 2009, joywalker wrote:

    I first heard a cuckoo this year on 22 April and several times since, in the Biddlesden/Turweston area of North Bucks and also near Syresham,Northants - about 2 miles away.

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  • 67. At 9:22pm on 28 May 2009, robin773 wrote:

    I live in South Hampshire and haven't heard a cuckoo in these parts for several years. But in a 10 day tour around the West Highlands in Scotland, I heard cuckoos in 5 or 6 different locations.
    Robin773

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  • 68. At 9:22pm on 28 May 2009, Juliaibb wrote:

    We had been longing to hear a Cuckoo again and were just talking about how scarce they were getting when we heard one from the garden!
    Hare Green, Gt Bromley, Essex. May 1st.

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  • 69. At 9:25pm on 28 May 2009, soapiebubbles123 wrote:

    I heard a cuckoo on Friday morning 22nd May at Clowne, Derbyshire and Sunday Evening 24th. May in Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

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  • 70. At 9:25pm on 28 May 2009, Helmlands2 wrote:

    Last week we were on holiday staying in Hereford and heard cuckoos calling in 3 different locations in the area. These were around 22nd May.

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  • 71. At 9:26pm on 28 May 2009, virtualFredbloggs wrote:

    I heard a cuckoo for the first time this year, this morning (28 May) at 7.30am in Ledbury.

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  • 72. At 9:27pm on 28 May 2009, auntflowerfairy wrote:

    I heard a cuckoo loud and clear on the 25th May in Louth Lincolnshire. We have heard it every year in the 14 years we have lived here.

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  • 73. At 9:27pm on 28 May 2009, waterHolmwood wrote:

    We live surrounded by open fields overlooking the beautifull countryside between Moffat/Dumfries Scotland. My husband first heard the cuckoo at 6.30am on sunday morning 24th May 2009

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  • 74. At 9:27pm on 28 May 2009, mrspugwash wrote:

    We were thrilled to hear our first cuckoo at How Hill on the River Ant in Norfolk - April 25th - heard cuckoos many times but have yet to see one

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  • 75. At 9:28pm on 28 May 2009, johnfrith wrote:

    heard a cuckoo early may in Winchwen Swansea

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  • 76. At 9:29pm on 28 May 2009, amazingnanajoan wrote:

    We were lucky to hear the cuckoo on the edge of the canal near Llanover Monmouthshire for the last three weeks. There seems just one as in previous years there have been more than one calling.

    amazingnanajoan

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  • 77. At 9:30pm on 28 May 2009, connosara wrote:

    We heard our first cuckoo of 09 on April 26 while walking in Geddington Chase near Kettering in Northamptonshire. We have heard cuckoos in the Chase at around the same time for several years.

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  • 78. At 9:30pm on 28 May 2009, adogwalker wrote:

    I heard a cuckoo at Priors Halton near Ludlow, Shropshire in mid April, and again in the same area a couple of days ago.

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  • 79. At 9:30pm on 28 May 2009, PEwart wrote:

    I first heard the Cuckoo April 16th @ 9AM. We live on the Shotley Peninsula, South Suffolk. There are several criss crossing the territory.

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  • 80. At 9:31pm on 28 May 2009, markusraven wrote:

    i heard a cuckoo on the Isle of Skye, on Mnt Blaven. on the 22nd of May at approx 11pm. and it was still there early afternoon when we passed the by place again.

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  • 81. At 9:33pm on 28 May 2009, BocketHall wrote:

    I have heard cuckoos in the location given below for many years. They are first heard in mid-May. Two years ago I saw one for the first time. I heard them this year as usual.
    Above the village of Cwmann which is near Lampeter, Ceredigion.
    The valley is below Esgair Wen farm.
    Land Ranger map 146 OS map reference: SN 608455

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  • 82. At 9:33pm on 28 May 2009, theothercootes wrote:

    First Cuckoo we heard was lunchtime on 10th April, while walking in the Cotswolds between Winchcombe and Cleeve Hill

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  • 83. At 9:33pm on 28 May 2009, stefandsue wrote:

    20.45 28/05/09 @ S70 6QS Heard a Cuckoo again. It's a suburban area on the edge of the countryside within sound of the M1.Lots of other garden bird song can be heard.Don't see any flocks of Starlings in the area any more. We don't have any Sparrows roosting in the Leylandii any more since we had an invasion of rats after the local farmer ploughed an area of rough ground. Could the increase in the rat population explain the decline in garden birds?

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  • 84. At 9:41pm on 28 May 2009, skiptonian wrote:

    A cuckoo was heard and seen at approx. 1300hrs 21st May 2009 at the top of a Pine Tree in a wood situated on the west Fell side of Derwent Water in the Lake District. Grid ref: NY 249214. It had been heard on and off for about 30 minutes before the sighting.

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  • 85. At 9:42pm on 28 May 2009, berles wrote:

    we have heard the cuckoo on several occasions around our house in the boston area this week have not yet seen it .

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  • 86. At 9:43pm on 28 May 2009, Cowcoe wrote:

    I have heard cuckoos this year as follows: 2 May: Stour Valley, Suffolk/Essex between Gt. Henny and Wormingford: 3 different birds; 10 May: Holme-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, golf course: saw a pair; 13 May: Titchwell RSPB: heard one; 28 May: Thetford Forest, near 'Desert Rats' Memorial: heard one.

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  • 87. At 9:43pm on 28 May 2009, Drooperatbw wrote:

    Date not remembered but end April early May about 6.45 am at Queendown Warren Nature reserve near Rainham/Sittingbourne in Kent.
    Heard in tree at car park - could not see it but used an old trick of making cuckoo sounds myself. In the end it left tree and flew towards me but shot off as soon as it saw me. Later heard it again at other end of Warren. Great morning walk/jog. Drooperatbw

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  • 88. At 9:55pm on 28 May 2009, grandSmudges wrote:

    Today 27th May 2009, at 11am I heard the cuckoo in St Stephen's Nature Reserve, Verwood, Dorset. grandSmudges.

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  • 89. At 9:57pm on 28 May 2009, BzaGza wrote:

    Heard my first cuckoo for this year on 25th April whilst walking the dog along the Kennet & Avon Canal near Sulhamstead in Berkshire. Heard it again last week, 20th May, same area.

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  • 90. At 10:10pm on 28 May 2009, Kinetic-Energy wrote:

    Wife & I heard a cuckoo in St Berteline's wood on 24th of May; not heard it since.

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  • 91. At 10:10pm on 28 May 2009, iWestwinge wrote:

    I saw and heard a Cuckoo at 07.45 on Sat.2nd May, in the paddock next to my garden, 5 miles north of Bourne, South Lincolnshire.
    I fimd the new style of the programme much more informative. Still rather a lot of giggling tho'.

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  • 92. At 10:17pm on 28 May 2009, tonytriumph wrote:

    We heard a cuckoo on Saturday 23rd May by the Thames near Lechlade Glos. We were having a day trip - we haven't heard one at home near Birmingham.

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  • 93. At 10:39pm on 28 May 2009, paulaheaton wrote:

    Heard a cuckoo at Hawkestone Park, Shropshire on 23rd May 2009.

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  • 94. At 10:41pm on 28 May 2009, mrsgoogle wrote:

    I first heard a cuckoo on the morning of friday 24th April whilst walking my dogs alonside the River Stour in Bournemouth where I live
    MRSGOOGLE

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  • 95. At 10:47pm on 28 May 2009, pp1eye wrote:

    I have heard a cuckoo on several occasions this spring including this afternoon whilst walking round Harrold & Odell Country Park. I have heard it every year there.

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  • 96. At 00:45am on 29 May 2009, musicbox1 wrote:

    cockoo heard at Priory Park Bedford 16th May 16-30

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  • 97. At 01:01am on 29 May 2009, MikeatHunston wrote:

    My house backs on to The Chichester Canal at Hunston and I have heard a cuckoo on Monday evening 25/05/09 and on Wednesday evening 27/05/09 along the canal about 100yards away.

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  • 98. At 09:10am on 29 May 2009, RedSleeve wrote:

    First heard the Cuckoo this year on May 10th near Henfield, West Sussex

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  • 99. At 09:18am on 29 May 2009, rogeston wrote:

    We live in Pembrokeshire. we heard the Cuckoo on 21st April 2009.

    Previously the Cuckoo has not been heard here for two years.

    from John & Jake.

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  • 100. At 10:00am on 29 May 2009, kingfisherfeeder wrote:

    I haven't been lucky enough to see her yet this year but have heard the unmistakeable call that assures me that the pair of cuckoo's have once more returned to the west Hythe stretch of the royal Military canal (Kent) again this year. No doubt to prloin the nest of some unfortunate reed warbler!

    Whilst talking of birds like cuckoo's that are kind enough to help us identify them by telling us what they are with their call (other examples being Hoopoe, chiff chaff and Peewits of course) has any one else noticed that if you work by this principle for identifying a bird from its song collared doves have a serious identity crisis and are labouring under the misapprehension that they are infact a great Bustard!!

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  • 101. At 10:08am on 29 May 2009, marilynstowe wrote:

    HEARD A CUCKOO 4.30AM IN KETLEY TELFORD. HAVE NOT HEARD ONE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

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  • 102. At 10:48am on 29 May 2009, jetsummartin wrote:

    I heard a cuckoo in my garden on Thursday 30th April. A few days later I saw the Cuckoo at the end of my garden. If it comes again I will try to take a photo as I did not have my camera at the time.

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  • 103. At 11:00am on 29 May 2009, digitaltweetiepie wrote:

    I was fortunate to hear the cuckoo on one occasion in the middle of May in South Derbyshire.

    digitalsweetiepie

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  • 104. At 12:05pm on 29 May 2009, happysuperspringer wrote:

    Heard first ( and only ) cuckoo on 23 May at Burham Marsh nature reserve,near Maidstone Kent.Only heard one the one day.

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  • 105. At 12:54pm on 29 May 2009, mikestans wrote:

    you asked us to report cuckoo sightings, but I have not been able to find out how. I live in the New Forest, and there are at least 2 near my home. I first heard them mid April. Regards

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  • 106. At 3:35pm on 29 May 2009, lancasterfinn wrote:

    May 1 -Clougha Pike, Lancaster.North Lancs-Cuckoo heard and seen am.
    May11 -Roudsea Wood ,South Cumbria-cuckoo heard 10.30 am
    May24 -Roeburndale,North Lancs - cuckoo heard 11.30 am

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  • 107. At 3:39pm on 29 May 2009, bingogueen wrote:

    At 3.45 am on 24/5/09 i heard the Cuckoo for the first time this year at a camp site in Weybourne in Norfolk.Hope i get the chance to hear it a lot more befor she flies away.

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  • 108. At 4:29pm on 29 May 2009, magspreece wrote:

    I live in Maesteg South Wales and I have heard a cuckoo most mornings around 7am whilst out walking my dog by the cemetery .I have heard it for the last 2-3 years around april/may.

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  • 109. At 4:35pm on 29 May 2009, hornbeamer wrote:

    Todays date is29.05.09 and for your information ,my wife and i and several others in our walkig party heard a cuckoo quite clearly in The Hythe, Colchester, Essex. I hope this helps your study

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  • 110. At 4:53pm on 29 May 2009, biakl12b wrote:

    heard cuckoo calling at 05.10 this morning (29/05/09) at horning norfolk.nr12 8lr.

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  • 111. At 5:31pm on 29 May 2009, jimhearne wrote:

    my wife and I heard a cuckoo this year on May 2,at The Burroughs Ratby Leicester.

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  • 112. At 6:36pm on 29 May 2009, i dont rate cuckoos wrote:

    heard one today, approx. mid day, between yapton and ford (west sussex). first one of the year and I hope the last.

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  • 113. At 7:33pm on 29 May 2009, icecaroljack wrote:

    I heard2 cookoos on 25.5.09 in comrie, Perthshire, and they are still here. ph6 2ly

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  • 114. At 7:34pm on 29 May 2009, Earlyrisers wrote:

    At 6.30am on 01.05.09 Earlyrisers heard cuckoo in Marbury Park, Northwich, Cheshire.

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  • 115. At 02:09am on 30 May 2009, virtualchochazel wrote:

    cuckoo holidaying in Scotland -
    Friday 29th May 2009 at Ben more Botanical Gardens, nr Dunoon, Cowal Peninsula - heard cuckoo at least twice - improved on what was a glorious day out

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  • 116. At 09:31am on 30 May 2009, snickell wrote:

    my husband and i heard a cuckoo on the 26 05 2009 calling for about 10 minutes at 4.00a.m we live in burbage, hinckley, leicestershire. about 5 minutes away from our home is burbage common and woods.love springwatch think this years is especially good we love the new presenters.get well soon bill.

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  • 117. At 12:44pm on 30 May 2009, sjbridgman wrote:

    On the 28 May 09 in Loddon, Norfolk early in the morning I heard a cuckoo twice, once in the distance and then very close.

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  • 118. At 1:42pm on 30 May 2009, nexteyespy1 wrote:

    We first heard the cuckoo - south Newbury, Berkshire - at the end of April and saw one two weeks ago flying over a partly wetland area with alder trees. I hear its sound nearly every day and saw one flying over the fields yesterday.

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  • 119. At 2:31pm on 30 May 2009, ducksand wrote:

    We live in lincolnshire, Market Rasen. We heard our first Cuckoo of the year on the 17th April. We can hear 2 sometimes and we regulaly see them fly across our field.
    Also on holiday a few weeks ago and we heard cuckoos this was in yorkshire whilst at Brimham Rocks and also a pace called Dallow Gill.

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  • 120. At 4:25pm on 30 May 2009, pantherphan wrote:

    Heard cuckoo at RSPB Lakenheath Fen yesterday (29.5.09). Also heard this year in Wollaton (Nottingham), Budby (Notts) & seen at Willington gravel pits (Derbys).

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  • 121. At 10:40pm on 30 May 2009, poshshirlann wrote:

    We heard a cookoo about three weeks ago then again this morning for about 10 minutes.

    We live in Addlestone, in Surrey.

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  • 122. At 11:47pm on 30 May 2009, Bob Jones wrote:

    Heard my first cookoo today at about 16:00 in Porth, Rhondda

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  • 123. At 08:49am on 31 May 2009, frederickantipodes wrote:

    A male Cuckoo was first heard in Timberhonger, Worcestershire on 20th April and has been seen and/or heard most days since. Probable local host species are Dunnock or perhaps Meadow Pipit. And are Skylark parasitised? It is a long time since I heard a female Cuckoo in UK but what seemed to be our local Cuckoo was chasing off another Cuckoo yesterday. This may have been a female; it uttered an odd cuckoo-like tone but not a female call or perhaps it was encroachment by another male. My other Worcestershire Cuckoo records this year include two singing males in Wyre Forest, Dowles Brook area on 27th April.

    Frederickantipodes

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  • 124. At 11:00am on 31 May 2009, greybunkin wrote:

    Cuckoo calling Friday am 29th May at Lower Fell Plantation near Barden Bridge on the Bolton Abbey Estate Yorkshire.

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  • 125. At 11:16am on 31 May 2009, CarolnAlex wrote:

    We live in Hackleton, Northampton and we hear Cuckoo's every year. Also heard one in Salcey Forest on 29th May whilst out walking.

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  • 126. At 1:35pm on 31 May 2009, dellboy22 wrote:

    we live on kintyre in argyll and have heard the cuckoo since early may many times there seems to be about four sets all over the peninsular and they can be heard calling to each other

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  • 127. At 5:10pm on 31 May 2009, spousey1 wrote:

    while walking on Rosewall hill near St.Ives Cornwall this afternoon we heard our first cuckoo ,we think there could have been two.

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  • 128. At 6:32pm on 31 May 2009, ginandts wrote:

    We have a Narrow Boat on the River Nene at Nassington,nr Peterborough,
    over the weekend we have heard and seen Male and Female Cuckoos.
    Also we saw 1 Turtle Dove.
    Keep up the Good Work,its certainly better viewing this year.
    Annmarie and Ray Jolley.

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  • 129. At 7:48pm on 31 May 2009, ianbites wrote:

    We live in Lutterworth, Leics. and heard a cuckoo at 5am on 12th may, it called for about 20sec . That was it until this evening when a cuckoo has been calling on and off for about 2 hours.
    We normally hear the first cuckoo on or around the 19th April and then reasonably regulary for the next month, however for the last 3 years we have heard a cuckoo, once and once only.

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  • 130. At 9:05pm on 31 May 2009, groovysnowyowl wrote:

    I live in Hucknall Nottingham and heard a cuckoo around 4.00am on 29th May. The call lasted for approx one minute and i have not heard it since but normally hear the cuckoo at least twice a year around this time of year. I live very close to woodland and here and see many interesting birds and wild life and many squirrels. My neighbour also heard the cuckoo on the same morning.

    Diane Allen

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  • 131. At 11:46am on 01 Jun 2009, MURITAI wrote:

    I HEARD A CUCKOO ON 2ND OF MAY BY THE NATURE TRAIL (MAP REF 239718) IN CLYDE MUIRSHIEL REGIONAL PARK.

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  • 132. At 1:30pm on 01 Jun 2009, gofishing2000 wrote:

    heard my first cuckoo on the 2 may in brandon in suffolk heard next one in mid and the end of may in newington kent
    when do they start calling and when do they normaly stop
    love the programe
    danny

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  • 133. At 2:06pm on 01 Jun 2009, CathandRob wrote:

    Cuckoo heard on Bank Holiday Monday 25/05/09, ALL DAY! at Alsagers Bank in Staffordshire. One of our visiting badgers climbed up on to a planter by the back door to eat a pot of peanuts we were going to top up the bird feeders with.

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  • 134. At 2:26pm on 01 Jun 2009, hickonthehill wrote:

    We've heard cukoos over the past month or so up near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. I would hate to think that this would not happen in future years - love the sound echoing through the valley.

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  • 135. At 4:44pm on 01 Jun 2009, shapwickjill wrote:

    i heared 3 cuckoos at the same time at shapwick heath nature reserve somerset on wednesday 27 may and again on 31 of may

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  • 136. At 6:50pm on 01 Jun 2009, jollywhitefamily wrote:

    we heard our first cockoo on barnham commom in thetford on the 15th April and another one on the 28th may and probably the same one this morning at 06.00 the 1st June. From the Golly White Family in Thetford.

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  • 137. At 7:36pm on 01 Jun 2009, Mudgeon wrote:

    Heard a Cuckoo on 30th May in the morning at Runcton Holme 7 miles South of Kings Lynn West Norfolk

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  • 138. At 7:41pm on 01 Jun 2009, super7madness wrote:

    What does a baby cookoo look like?

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  • 139. At 7:47pm on 01 Jun 2009, welshgreenwoman wrote:

    Heard a cuckoo for the first time this year on Saturday 23rd May and again on Sunday 31st. This was in Llangynidr, Powys.

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  • 140. At 7:48pm on 01 Jun 2009, quitenaturelover wrote:

    I heard the cuckoo on 12th of may at about 9.30am, in Wigston Leicestershire. There is a really lovely park not far from my house, and I think the sound came from there.

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  • 141. At 8:50pm on 01 Jun 2009, Bob wrote:

    I have been hearing the cuckoo for the past month and the most recent time was early in the morning on 30 May. Location Sotby, Lincolnshire.

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  • 142. At 00:12am on 02 Jun 2009, IlfraMary wrote:

    I first heard the Cuckoo this year on 6th April and have heard him most days since then. I also heard him at Croft Castle in Leominster on 17th May in the rain!

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  • 143. At 09:27am on 02 Jun 2009, madforclimbing wrote:

    hello
    i was walking the dog last friday (28th may) at Stoke Common near Farnham Common and heard my first cuckoo of the year. We were then away last weekend and heard cuckoos in Buttermere in the Lake District.
    Hope this helps
    kind regards

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  • 144. At 12:50pm on 02 Jun 2009, helencross wrote:


    We live in Wheatley nr Oxford and have heard a cuckoo regularly on The Howe since early May. Also heard one whilst visiting a golf course at Woolacoombe, Devon on Sunday 31st May.

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  • 145. At 8:04pm on 02 Jun 2009, thelovelySleepybird wrote:

    We live in Yaxley in north Suffolk and I heard a cuckoo on Saturday 16 May at about 4am when it was just geting light and again this evening at about 6pm. I hope this is of interest.

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  • 146. At 8:49pm on 02 Jun 2009, newsallycam wrote:

    I forgot to say in my post.... I have heard the cuckoo every day I think (possibly two of them sometimes) since the beginning of May, usually early in the morning (7 ish) and in the evening sometimes too (7 ish). I live about 1 mile from Petworth in West Sussex in the shadow of the South Downs. The area is mainly grassland, arable and salad veg production as well as being wooded with lots of oaks and ashes and there is a large greensand common nearby with silver birches and pines.

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  • 147. At 9:23pm on 02 Jun 2009, MrDarcyThe_pheasant wrote:

    a long time ago i saw a strange bird neer a feeder, it was between the size of a great tit and a starling , it was black all over and a orange fleck on its wing , and i think it had a few white feathers in its lower wing. does anyone know what it was?

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  • 148. At 9:20pm on 03 Jun 2009, Ashleydur wrote:

    I leave in Wheatley oxfordshire and have heard the cuckoo three times once in Wheatley dawn chorus and twice in near villages horton cum studley in the evening and Stanton at john in the afternoon

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  • 149. At 9:29pm on 03 Jun 2009, saintegghead wrote:

    first cuckoo heard on april 23 at colmworth golf course MK44 2NN
    second one on may 20 same place
    third one on may 28 same place
    fourth on on june 1 at earls barton northants NN6 0NY

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  • 150. At 07:50am on 04 Jun 2009, ellyhoward wrote:

    I was out waliking my dogs on salisbury plain (Tidworth) at 5.30 his morning (4th june)when i heard the distinct call of the cuckoo.
    This is the 2nd time in 2 weeks that I have heard it and it wasn't till I watched your program that I realised that I hadn't heard one since I was a child

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  • 151. At 07:51am on 04 Jun 2009, ellyhoward wrote:

    I was out walking my dogs on salisbury plain (Tidworth) at 5.30 this morning (4th june)when I heard the distinct call of the cuckoo.
    This is the 2nd time in 2 weeks that I have heard it and it wasn't till I watched your program that I realised that I hadn't heard one since I was a child

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