tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22851380.post3593855485958387979..comments2023-05-15T13:16:12.863+00:00Comments on Fraser's Birding Blog: Reservoir blogs - WalthamstowFraser Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05723362051224021907noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22851380.post-49440490851781998122009-05-29T09:23:31.717+00:002009-05-29T09:23:31.717+00:00Yes, there has been at least one rufous female aro...Yes, there has been at least one rufous female around. The most likely reason that they morphologically mimic Sparrowhawks is that this allows them to scare potential hosts away from the nest. Cuckoo researcher, Nick Davies at Cambridge has carried out various experiments with stuffed models and discovered that the heavily barred underparts are the cue. Worth another trip soon to look for Cuckoo fledglings.Fraser Simpsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05723362051224021907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22851380.post-24532127933454923472009-05-25T12:40:27.979+00:002009-05-25T12:40:27.979+00:00Hi Fraser
I was at Walthamstow reservoirs yesterda...Hi Fraser<br />I was at Walthamstow reservoirs yesterday morning (enjoying the glorious spring sunshine!), and saw what I believe was a female rufous cuckoo. Not being a bird watcher, at first I thought it was a bird of prey (reddish brown in colour, about the size of a pigeon), but seeing no other birds paid much attention I realised probably not. She was about 40m or so away, flying from one tree to another on one of the islands, so it was a brief glimpse. I'd been watching reed warblers on the edge of the lake, and would occasionally hear a gurgling/gargling sound from within the reeds at very close range. My powers of deduction (and I may have got this totally wrong!), having read your blog, lead me to suspect the warblers may be raising a female cuckoo chick - hence the peculiar noise.<br /><br />I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />GregGreg Morgannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22851380.post-34964197684822651012009-05-11T19:04:00.000+00:002009-05-11T19:04:00.000+00:00Those sonagrams are fascinating Fraser. I think we...Those sonagrams are fascinating Fraser. I think we all hear something different!Warren Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16042798315431561018noreply@blogger.com