Read the latest updates from our Cuckoos on their epic migration between the UK and tropical Africa, or track their movements in real-time on our Cuckoo migration map. If you enjoy these updates, please consider sponsoring a Cuckoo. Sponsors receive special updates about their chosen Cuckoo in the Cuckoo e-newsletter.
Arthur moves north
When we last posted Arthur’s whereabouts just over a week ago, he had moved into Liberia in West Africa, over 3,000 km (1,864 miles) from where he’d spent the winter months. In the last few days, he has flown a further 300 km (186 miles) north, skirting the border with Guinea and moving back into Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).
His next move could see him heading into southern Mali before making his big Saharan crossing.
Jim’s way out west
After a few months in Gabon, Jim has sprung into life in recent days and made his way approximately 2,200 km (1,367 miles) west into northeastern Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), passing through Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana on the way!
His latest signal shows that he is in Comoé National Park, one of the largest protected areas in West Africa and designated a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Joe goes to Ghana
After a short stay in Cameroon, Joe moved around 1,300 km (808 miles) west into Ghana in the last week.
He is currently in an area of wooded savannah close to a stretch of the Black Volta River, east of Bui National Park.
Sayaan’s steady away
Sayaan is steadily making his way through Cameroon and is currently just south of the town of Bélabo, close to the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre.
This sanctuary was set up to rehome illegally trafficked and held Chimpanzees while spearheading and supporting habitat protection and local conservation education programmes.
Frederic flies forth
Frederic has now left the shores of Lake Mai-Ndombe and in the last four days has moved 513 km (319 miles), crossing into northern Republic of the Congo. From here he may head west straight into Cameroon, or via southern Central African Republic.
Sayaan keeps moving
Since our last update, which saw Sayaan moving into south-eastern Cameroon, he has continued to make his way slowly north-west through the country. Covering just over 300 km (186 miles) in the last five days, he is now just to the south of the city of Bertoua.
Initially tagged on the Knepp Estate, Sussex in May 2023, this will be the third consecutive spring that we may track Sayaan’s spring migration.
Joe moves through Cameroon
Cuckoo Joe is making his way northwards through Cameroon, roughly following the course of the Sanaga River. Currently located between the Pangar Djerem Reserve and Mbam et Djerem National Park, Joe’s next move should see him heading into, or through, Nigeria.
Tagged in Norfolk in summer 2022, this will be the fourth spring that we may track his incredible movements north.
Arthur heads into Liberia
When we last posted Arthur’s whereabouts, he had made a significant move to Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). After a short stay there, he powered on, covering approximately 230 km (143 miles) and crossing the border into Liberia. He is now in a remote and densely forested region in the country’s Grand Gedeh County.
Arthur was one the new cohort of Cuckoos tagged in Suffolk in 2025. This will be the first time that we get to follow his northbound migration; so far, he is leading the pack by a considerable margin!
Arthur - what a legend!
Cuckoo Arthur is leading the pack, having headed into West Africa in good time. Since our last update in late January, he has continued west, sweeping across Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana, before finally making a stop in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) on a journey exceeding 2,200 km (1,367 miles)!
His latest signal places him just on the outskirts of the city of Soubré, in the south-west of the country. Will Arthur continue at this pace and be the first of our tagged Cuckoos to tackle the Sahara? Watch this space!
Go-go Joe!
In the last week Joe has really made some progress. Of our tagged Cuckoos, he was one of the birds wintering furthest east, but has covered an impressive 1,200 km (745 miles) in recent days. Crossing Central African Republic from Democratic Republic of the Congo, he has made his way rapidly into central Cameroon.
He is currently close to the Sanaga River on the eastern flank of the expansive Mbam Djerem National Park, considered the most biologically diverse protected area in Cameroon.