Cuckoo longevity (1 Viewer)

[Farnboro John]

BTO has just been mentioned on Radio 2 news as their satellite tracked Cuckoo PJ has just got back from Africa, completing his sixth round trip migration.

However, Colin the Cuckoo, Thursley legend, has been back weeks having completed his minimum seventh round trip migration - even I have identifiable photos of him from 2016, when he was already an adult. (We know its the same Cuckoo because he has a blemish in one eye that carries through year-on-year.)

BTO seems to have recognised this because the news item referred to PJ as the oldest known tracked Cuckoo - Colin wins!

John

 

[Jos Stratford]

Oldest only in terms of tracked in the UK

Cuckoo	Cuculus canorus	Germany	6023421	12yrs 11mths	Found dead
		GB & Ireland	DA 49782	>7yrs 10mths	Controlled by ringer

 

[Farnboro John]

Oldest only in terms of tracked in the UK

Cuckoo	Cuculus canorus	Germany	6023421	12yrs 11mths	Found dead
		GB & Ireland	DA 49782	>7yrs 10mths	Controlled by ringer

Remarkable (I'm assuming the bird was found recently dead, not the ring found below a raptor eyrie in long-term use ).

UK tracked it is. Maybe we can hope for a few more years from Colin yet!

John