Ok; I heard the first cuckoo today, and saw the first swallow the day before yesterday - anyone beat this?

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

I don't know if I have ever heard a cuckoo.  Are they found in the North of England?

Never heard one up in Scotland either Isabel They must be a soft southern bird :D

Haven't heard the first cuckoo yet, but I saw several swallows all at once on April 7th. :)

Haven't heard the cuckoo yet, but I am Listening out for it!! :)

... but remember Jo, one swallow doesn't make a summer! :rolleyes:

I can :D  (well theres always one isn't there :rolleyes: )  heard my first cuckoo last weekend and swallows now been around for the past few days.... also, need to keep dogs out of the old stables as have 3 nests, (not sure who is building them yet)  want to look but dont want to scare them away :)

Always strikes home as a bit of a miracle that these little birds, who weigh so little, can come all the way from South Africa.    I know, not exactly earth shattering news, but every year I just can't believe it!

Jo

What amazes me even more is that each year's hatchlings know the way without being shown!

Heard my first cuckoo 25th March :D :D

>>What amazes me even more is that each year's hatchlings know the way without being shown<<

Yes & how to even build their nests & in the same place Me & OH were wondering how long they live for & if they`re the same birds coming back every yr, I don`t think they are as the parents must have died by now so these are their offspring. :)

just add as well, we have a shrike that comes back the same place as well & when they`ve mated the pair bring their little ones to the same trees to get their wings going before leaving when summer ends. The swallows use my washing lines for their babes :)

The RSPB says the maximum lifespan of a swallow is 16 years!!

16yrs thats a long time oh my so they could be the grannies & great grand & great great :D were do they get their energy from :D

we have had swallows here for two weeks!!!!!

Haven't yet heard the cuckoo here (SE Essex), nor have we seen our swallows :( 

I hope we'll hear them within the next few days - but spring is very late springing here!

Yesterday we had a cold sleety rain for most of the afternoon :(

Margot

Have seen quite a few swallows :) But its blackbirds that inundate my garden. Every year two or three nests at the top of the garden in the bushes, and its lovely when they all come out and you can watch mum and dad feeding and protecting them from the big bad doggies :D I have put a birdbath, shallow of course, for them at the top so they don't have to risk their lives coming down to the pond. (don't know if molly would actually eat one, but she would definately cause some injury if she pounced on them)
And its been a lovely sunny weekend so far :)

Are there really no cuckoos north of the Humber?

I feel a joke coming on, but will refrain.....

Jo

Soft southern bird indeed!  There was a programme on during the week, think it might have been on Anglia TV, showing the newly hatched Cuckoo of a few hours turfing out the host birds' eggs.  That's well 'ard in my book! :D

;) @ Cheryl :D

Our cuckoo hasn't made an appearance yet  but I daresay it will :D