Shining Cuckoos 2018

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Michael Szabo
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Re: Shining Cuckoos 2018

Postby Michael Szabo » Sat Oct 20, 2018 7:58 pm

I also heard one calling at Zealandia yesterday morning.
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Colin Miskelly
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Re: Shining Cuckoos 2018

Postby Colin Miskelly » Mon Oct 22, 2018 3:31 pm

I was back in Zealandia for about 6 hours today, and this time did hear full song 3 times, but only picked up a single cuckoo during 5-minute bird counts. That made 2 individuals in a total of forty 5-minute counts over the two days, about half the expected rate for this time of year (according to a paper in the latest issue of Notornis). It is a small sample size, but maybe they are starting to respond to the decline in grey warblers in Zealandia.

Between counts I had another great sighting of an apparently courting cuckoo pair. I was attracted by a full song from a pine just outside the eastern fenceline. One of the birds flew about 40 away to another pine, then a short time later flew back (towards me) with shallow fluttering wing beats (rather like a courting swallow), then hopped around the other bird with head raised, tail cocked, and wing-tips drooped below normal, while giving the downward-slurred note. Unfortunately they then flew into dense vegetation, so my voyeurism was terminated.

Cheers
Colin
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CMKMStephens
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Re: Shining Cuckoos 2018

Postby CMKMStephens » Mon Oct 22, 2018 5:11 pm

I was also in Zealandia for about 8 hours today. Went up and done the kotukutuku track (nothing), but later at the northern end of the Valley View track did hear adults twice, one full song, and couple of one note 'phews'.
Jim_j
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Re: Shining Cuckoos 2018

Postby Jim_j » Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:24 pm

Still none heard or seen around Pukerua Bay area - from the comments on this site it would seem numbers are still low everywhere? - or just not being reported compared to other years?

Cheers Jim
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Wiedehopf
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Re: Shining Cuckoos 2018

Postby Wiedehopf » Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:06 pm

Heard and watched a Shining Cuckoo on the Haruru Falls walk (Waitangi Reserve) back on the 14th of October.
alisterharlow
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Re: Shining Cuckoos 2018

Postby alisterharlow » Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:45 am

Finally heard this morning in Hillsborough cemetery. Usually first heard on or around the 1st September. I have been thinking for the last few weeks that a weather event may have impacted.
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sav
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Re: Shining Cuckoos 2018

Postby sav » Fri Oct 26, 2018 7:49 pm

Hi all,

I still have not heard a single one in Hawkes Bay, despite being in several places where they normally call.

cheers
Sav Saville
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rukuhia
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Re: Shining Cuckoos 2018

Postby rukuhia » Fri Oct 26, 2018 8:00 pm

I heard my first one calling today by Hamilton airport.
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kengeorge
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Re: Shining Cuckoos 2018

Postby kengeorge » Sat Oct 27, 2018 8:25 am

There doesn't seem to be as many around here in Golden Bay as there has been in previous years, I've only heard one early on close to home (Pohara) and have checked a couple of local places where there are usually one or two- nothing so far, the host species (grey warbler) seem to be around in the usual numbers.
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kengeorge
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Re: Shining Cuckoos 2018

Postby kengeorge » Sun Oct 28, 2018 2:59 pm

At least two of them at Milnthorpe Reserve here in Golden Bay this afternoon 28 Oct, this location is always reliable for them every year (abundant warblers) so good to see some of the cuckoo have made it back.

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