Cuckoo

savagethegoat

Heard a Cuckoo today at Moyasta Junc Co Clare...first time I heard one since I was a boy. Could be that i got new hearing aids of course

Capercaillie

savagethegoat wrote: »

Heard a Cuckoo today at Moyasta Junc Co Clare...first time I heard one since I was a boy. Could be that i got new hearing aids of course

Precipitous decline sadly:(

Hotei

Heard one yesterday afternoon here in Kildare and just got the briefest glimpse before it took off.

savagethegoat

Capercaillie wrote: »

Precipitous decline sadly:(

me or the Cuckoo?

Capercaillie

savagethegoat wrote: »

me or the Cuckoo?

I would prefer the cuckoo not to be:D

fleabag

And one in Waterford on Monday evening - delighted!

Jayzesake

Capercaillie wrote: »

Precipitous decline sadly:(

Can you expand on this, Cap? Is it just another facet of the general decline of wildlife everywhere, or are there known specific causes for the Cuckoo becoming rarer in Ireland?

Capercaillie

Jayzesake wrote: »

Can you expand on this, Cap? Is it just another facet of the general decline of wildlife everywhere, or are there known specific causes for the Cuckoo becoming rarer in Ireland?

No specific research in Ireland. Increasing intensification agriculture presumed main cause. Main host meadow pipit under threat now so that is another major problem.

St. Leibowitz

Jayzesake wrote: »

Can you expand on this, Cap? Is it just another facet of the general decline of wildlife everywhere, or are there known specific causes for the Cuckoo becoming rarer in Ireland?

Heard the regular one back near Keshcarrigan in Leitrim last weekend. Delighted to hear it.

Cuckoo's overwinter in Africa. Many around the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With the expansion of the Sahara, the danger zone of crossing a large desert expanse is getting wider every year. Lots of cuckoo's don't make it. Also, I read a book on a recent journey through the Congo following Stanley's original journey. The most notable feature of the modern jungle is the deafening silence. Every animal and bird is killed for bushmeat. Populations are being decimated.

The BTO Cuckoo Watch is an interesting project. Tracking cuckoos during their migration. Unfortunately, one (called Vigilismus) arrived in the UK early this year, right into the middle of a -10 C cold snap, and didn't survive.

http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking

Stigura

St. Leibowitz wrote: »

The most notable feature of the modern jungle is the deafening silence. Every animal and bird is killed for bushmeat. Populations are being decimated.

That's simply heart rending!

Here; I'm no good on Africa. Wouldn't know my Stanley's from my Sahara's. But; Do ye think this could have any bearing on the fact that the local swallows have gone from 'Shed Loads', in 2014. To 'Where TF?!', in 15. And, this year ...? Might as well forget it.

I was once told how a major, uk outfit made a deal with some Africans. Basically; Leave the swallows alone and we'll give you a well.

I was pondering this with a friend, recently; Could some regional 'political' shift of taken place out there? Dave Allen's wolves?

St. Leibowitz

Stigura wrote: »

That's simply heart rending!

Here; I'm no good on Africa. Wouldn't know my Stanley's from my Sahara's. But; Do ye think this could have any bearing on the fact that the local swallows have gone from 'Shed Loads', in 2014. To 'Where TF?!', in 15. And, this year ...? Might as well forget it.

I was once told how a major, uk outfit made a deal with some Africans. Basically; Leave the swallows alone and we'll give you a well.

I was pondering this with a friend, recently; Could some regional 'political' shift of taken place out there? Dave Allen's wolves?

Not sure if it's a political shift. I had a screaming party of swallows fly over me here in Dublin while leaving the house for work on the morning of the 4th or 5th of May. Brought a smile to my face, as it's one of my favorite sounds, and I thought "they're back". Haven't heard any since, and they were always a feature of the evening sky. Looks like that party were transiting, and I was just lucky. Hope it's not the last one I hear this summer.

Slow steady declines can happen for years, and then hit a tipping point and collapse. From the reports this year, that could have happened, although more likely, migrants may just have had difficulty transiting north due to the unusual weather patterns in March and April, which from memory pushed much of the storm activity south of Ireland and resulted in cold and rain over us. Not sure of that, and open to correction. But given the decline in '15, and now a further one, I just don't know.

Stigura

St. Leibowitz wrote: »

But given the decline in '15, and now a further one, I just don't know.

Now, here's the crazy bit! I was reading, only last night, the latest figures on swallows ~ granted, compiled from the UK. They basically said all is hunky dory with them

Your response, about the march / april weather now sounds a bit creepy, doesn't it? As if they got home to UK, good as gold, as usual. Nothing to report. Where as those trying to get across that last bit of water could have smashed into heavy weather, just when they'd least want it.

Horrible prospect. Dunno. I don't know. You don't know. No bugger knows. But, looking out my window? No swallows.

Of course, these things tend to take a year or more to become translated into official figures. But, they still say all is good ~ and was last year. Last year my swallows had all but vanished. This year, they practically have!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Seems to be very mixed. Here in the North East there are great numbers of swallows today across the reedbeds and along the river. The usual nest sites are in use as well.

Nationally, figures were good last year and both breeding and survival rates were encouraging. Overall, in Ireland, numbers for 2012 to 2015 held steady.

Insect numbers were slow to get going this year but have now taken off. The cold spring delayed things here but this is not unusual. Swallow numbers can fluctuate considerably in areas from year to year.

DBB

I've heard 3 cuckoos in the past week... One near Rhode (Offaly), one near Edenderry (Offaly), and one near Ballivor (Meath).
Swallows seem reasonably numerous in the same areas, but not filling the skies, and later than other years too.
Any swifts anywhere? I saw a fair few last year, but none yet this year.

Stigura

Rebecca Fresh Voltage wrote: »

Overall, in Ireland, numbers for 2012 to 2015 held steady.

Yep. Exactly what I was reading ~ to my astonishment ~ only last night

Rebecca Fresh Voltage wrote: »

Swallow numbers can fluctuate considerably in areas from year to year.

Evidently. I've just come in from working outside. I'm seeing ONE pair of swallows! It's mad!

What, do ye think, causes these fluctuations? I mean, when ye consider I think I remember recording like 200 birds, on my wires, back in 2014. That's a serious fluctuation.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

DBB wrote: »

I've heard 3 cuckoos in the past week... One near Rhode (Offaly), one near Edenderry (Offaly), and one near Ballivor (Meath).
Swallows seem reasonably numerous in the same areas, but not filling the skies, and later than other years too.
Any swifts anywhere? I saw a fair few last year, but none yet this year.

Just a few swifts here but not yet as many as usual.

OldRio

Plenty of cuckoos and swallows this year around these parts. Leitrim. Certainly an increase on last year.

St. Leibowitz

Just stepped out a few minutes ago, and a screaming party flew over. Nine in the main party and one lagging back. Brilliant and beautiful sound ! Great to hear it again.