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Updates from our Cuckoos

Read the latest updates from our Cuckoos on their migration.

Daniel is lost to the desert

27 Sep 2022
We continue to receive updates from Daniel's tag but unfortunately the updates show him stranded in the desert in Chad, some 330km north of Lake Chad. It is very unlikely that Daniel could survive for such a long time here so we have to conclude that he has sadly perished. Since being tagged in June 2021, Daniel has provided us with valuable data, including a full loop migration from his breeding grounds in Wales to his wintering grounds in Cameroon and back again.   

Daniel is crossing the Sahara

08 Aug 2022
Over the last few days Daniel has made his next big move south, leaving southern Europe and entering Africa. Last year Daniel remained in northern Italy until 12 August when he crossed the Sahara to arrive in eastern Mali where he remained until 29 August when he moved east into southern Niger. This year his journey took him from southern France to southern Sardinia where he spent some time in the Campanasissa Cadelano Forestry. He then proceeded south over the Sahara and by yesterday morning (7 August) had reached south eastern Niger. New updates received this morning show that he hasn't moved far overnight and he is some 320km north east of Lake Chad. Given that there seems to be little of use to a Cuckoo in this area we will be anxiously awaiting further updates from Daniel's tag. 

Daniel moves back in southern France

28 Jul 2022
Having reached northern Italy, Daniel has flown 128km (80 miles) north west back into southern France. He is now on the lower slopes of Mont Brequin in the Vanoise Massif mountain range of the Western Alps. Daniel made his move to Africa on 12 August last year so he may linger in France/Italy a couple more weeks yet. 

Daniel reaches northern Italy

08 Jul 2022
A few lower quality locations suggest that Daniel has progressed south east through France over the last few days, reaching Lyon by Tuesday morning. He has since crossed the Alps into northern Italy and by 06:30 this morning was nearing the town of Alba in the Piedmont region of Italy. Last year he arrived in northern Italy on 7th July and remained here, close to the town of Garlasco in Lombardy until 12th August when he crossed the Sahara. 

Daniel departs for France

01 Jul 2022
Overnight Daniel has left the UK and arrived in France. He has flown 410km (255 miles) to his new location close to Dourdan in the Essonne department in Île-de-France, approximately 47km (30 miles) south west of Paris. 

Daniel visits Bedfordshire

30 Jun 2022
Daniel has finally departed his breeding grounds at Lake Vyrnwy and flown 217km (135 miles) south east to the fine county of Bedfordshire. He spent a couple of hours Tuesday evening in and around the village of Marston Moreteyne - did anyone see or hear him? By 10pm on Tuesday evening he was near Langford, just south of Biggleswade. It'll be interesting to see where he travels to next. 

Daniel is back at Lake Vyrnwy

27 Jun 2022
Having spent the last week or so visiting the Llanymynech area, Daniel has flown the 29km (18 miles) west, back to his breeding grounds on the southern shore of Lake Vyrnwy. Perhaps he was struggling to find a good enough food supply and so returned to an area that he was familiar with and could be more confident would hold the food supply that he needs. 

Daniel is back at Lake Vyrnwy

06 May 2022
Further updates that arrived yesterday morning showed that Daniel had completed his journey back to his breeding grounds at Lake Vyrnwy. Having had such a long period during the winter when we received no updates from his tag, we are delighted that not only did his tag come back to life but that he has successfully completed his migration. 

Daniel is back in Wales!

05 May 2022
Daniel has flown 843 km (524 miles) since our last update, taking him from Central France to mid Wales. A new update received early this morning showed that he was just north of Welshpool, just 30 km (18.6 miles) from his tagging location on the shores of Lake Vyrnwy. He left his breeding grounds on 3 July last year so we expect him to stay for around 8 weeks. So if you are visiting RSPB's wonderful Lake Vyrnwy reserve or the surrounding area over the next couple of months, listen out for Cuckoo Daniel!

Daniel moves to Central France

04 May 2022
We last heard from Daniel on the evening of 2 May, by which time he was 50 km (31 miles) NW of Clermont-Ferrand in Central France. 

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