Cuckoo

[Chipchopper]

What time of the year doe's the cuckoo usually return to Africa, only I think I saw a female one fly over my garden today.

TIA,,,

[maggiebee]

I thought that they returned by the end of June.

[Prudie]

The cuckoo comes in April
Sings his song in May
Changes tune in the middle of May
July he flies away

[Prudie]

^ changes tune in the middle of June

[woofgang]

[melv16]

I saw a photo of one on the birdguides twitter site last week. So I don't think they all migrate at the same time.

[Togo]

The adults return before the fledglings. Usually the end of July. The young are left behind to be raised by the Warblers and follow in August and September.

[johnny.5]

In April,
Come he will.
In May,
He sings all day.
In June,
He changes his tune.
In July,
He prepares to fly.
In August,
Go he must.

[Chipchopper]

Thanks all,

I checked with some online footage and the one that I saw looked identical, same wing shape and flying habit etc.rt seems some stick around longer, in spite of the old song.