Colin the Cuckoo Back for His 9th Year

18th May 2022

Back in 2014 mealworms were placed on some strategically placed logs in a paddock at Thursley Common to, I suspect, attract a pair of Redstarts which were breeding nearby. For whatever reason a Cuckoo also found the mealworms and came in several times a day for a feed. The Cuckoo returned the following year and immediately started feeding on the mealworms and has been coming back every year since.

So 2022 is his 9th year at Thursley Common and has become a national celebrity being christened Colin and has even got his own Facebook page. Each day the logs are flanked by a dozen or so photographers, patiently waiting for their chance to get some breath-taking photos of a Cuckoo and Colin never disappoints. He is now very tame and will sometimes hop to within just a couple of yards of the paparazzi.

When I arrived at 10.30am Colin had been last seen at 8.30am so time to settle down for what could be a long wait. In the event he returned at 1.30pm and the photo-shoot began and here are the results:

When he had cleaned out the mealworms on the logs he dropped down to search for some on the ground which gave some opportunities for some flight shots.

Well, what a fantastic experience and to be within just 10 yards of a Cuckoo is absolutely amazing. I suspect I'll be back next year!!