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.
Frederic clocks up the miles
Frederic spent the last couple of weeks in Mali after making his epic, if somewhat late, Saharan crossing. He has sprung into action in recent days and has covered an impressive distance of almost 1,500 km (930 miles).
Heading south-west, he flew across northern Burkina Faso, then through the southern tip of Niger, and is now in central north Nigeria. He is currently just south of Kano, the second largest city in Nigeria.
Jim jogs on
A week ago, Jim was in south-central Nigeria. In a few days he has flown more than 1,000 km (620 miles) and is now in the immense Ivindo National Park, Gabon. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is home to a wide range of wildlife including Western Lowland Gorilla, Chimpanzee, African Golden Cat, Grey-necked Rockfowl and Grey Parrot.
Northern Norman moves south
In the last week Norman, our only current Scottish tagged Cuckoo, has moved further into the rainforest, and is now in western Republic of the Congo, close to the southern Gabon border.
At the moment, he is our southern-most Cuckoo having travelled around 7,500 km (4,660 miles) since leaving Loch Lomond back in June!
Jungle Joe is on the go
Following a lengthy post-Saharan rest in Chad, Joe has now continued south and having flown through Central African Republic and northern Republic of the Congo, is now in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
His latest signal places him in the huge Ngiri Triangle Nature Preserve, where vast tracts of swamp forest provide a home for a wide range of wildlife.
Wingston explores the Congo
Wingston has moved from his temporary home in Central African Republic in recent days and has headed south into the Republic of Congo.
He is currently deep in the inaccessible Lac Télé Community Reserve, a vast protected area home to a significant population of Western Lowland Gorillas and designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
Norman heads into the rainforest
Since crossing the Sahara in late July, Norman spent August and September in an area just to the east of Lake Chad, near the town of Massakory.
In recent days he has made his way south, covering almost 1,500 km (930 miles) as he flew through Cameroon, and down along the border between Gabon and Republic of the Congo.
As of late last night (6 October) he was deep in the remote rainforests to the south of Mwagna National Park, home to Forest Elephant, Western Lowland Gorilla, Leopards and a wide range of reptiles, invertebrates and birds.
Jim crosses the Niger
Following a protracted stay in western Nigeria, Jim took flight again on October 2 and has now moved further into the country.
Flying around 340 km (211 miles) south-east, he crossed the Niger near the town of Ohunene, in Kogi State, and is now on the eastern side of the mighty river. Jim is currently just to the north of the Southern Adoru Forest Reserve.
Cuach Cores moves on
Having remained in the same region of eastern Chad since early August, Cores has now made a move, and has flown 380 km (236 miles) south in the last week. He is now close to the northern border of Central African Republic.
From here he will most likely head for the Congo basin where he should spend the next few months in the rainforest.
Tagged in May 2023, this is the third autumn migration that we have been able to monitor Cuach Cores’ epic odysseys.
Frederic’s fantastic feat
Following our last update, Frederic set off south through France and crossed the Pyrenees once again. 48 hours, and approximately 780 km (485 miles) later, he was on the southern Spanish coast just east of Almeria. An overnight crossing of the Mediterranean saw him arriving in north-east Morocco in the early hours of 20 Sept.
After a rest, he set off again, and headed across the Sahara, covering around 2,200 km (1,367 miles), arriving on the shores of the Niger River in the Tombouctou Region of Mali. After a few days resting and feeding up, he has continued his exploration of the area and just after 5am this morning (29) had moved a short way further south.
Sayaan’s Sudanese sayonara
After a lengthy stay in southern Sudan, Sayaan has moved significantly in the last few days, flying some 1,700 kms (1,056 miles).
He passed through Central African Republic and continued down into the dense tropical rainforests on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he will likely remain for the winter.