*uckoo
Just before my trip to Orkney, I managed to fit in a trip to Dartmoor and one of my favourite places for Cuckoos.
As usual, it’s full of birders and bird photographers who think that finding a bird is the equivalent of hunting. It isn’t. It’s the equivalent of fishing. Find a lovely spot, with a great view and comfortable seat, set up your equipment, and wait for the wildlife to come to you. It helps if you’ve spent a while studying the behaviour of the wildlife, so you know where it’s likely to be and when.
I find a pleasant spot to sit comfortably, with a view of a tree in which I know the Cuckoos like to perch, and set up my camera ready. Then I wait, enjoying the weather and the gentle breeze. I’m only interrupted occasionally by someone with a camera marching around wanting to chase Cuckoos. “I’m just sitting here waiting for it to come to me”, I say, as they wander off.
In the meantime I can enjoy the Meadow Pipits. I’m nice and still, and wearing full camouflage, so I get wonderful close views. What a smart looking bird. If there was a Cuckoo near it would be in a rage. Chasing Cuckoos gives their offspring a greater chance of survival, so their Cuckoo-repelling behaviour has been selected for over generations.
The gentle breeze gets up a little, which allows me to see what a lovely coloured rump Meadow Pipits have.
Finally a Cuckoo arrives. I can see it across the valley, against the distant trees, gorse and heather.
It lands and I can see its stunning yellow eyes and barred chest with gorgeous slate-grey dropped wings.
It’s not my best Cuckoo photograph, but then today was never about getting a better Cuckoo photograph than my previous ones. It was about living my best life surrounded by the natural world.
As I make my way back up the hill to my car, I can hear a male Cuckoo calling, “Fuck-you, Fuck-you” to all the Cuckoo hunters who have spent their afternoon harrying it around the hills, and I smile.
More Cuckoos
How many notes in a call? Collared Doves make a three-note call. "Coo-COO-Coo". Woodpigeons make a lower pitched, more gravelly five-note call. "Coo-COO-Coo Coo-Coo" Neither of… read more
Cuckoo! We've off to see the Cuckoos, the wonderful Cuckoos of Dartmoor. We're not following the yellow-brick road, but we are… read more
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Cuckoo and Meadow Pipit There's a never-ending battle going on in the meadows and on moorland of Dartmoor. It's Cuckoo versus Meadow Pipit. The… read more
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Cuckoos and Meadow Pipits – an ancient battle I decide to get up at dawn and go to Dartmoor. I've decided that before and stayed in bed. This… read more