Promise of Cuckoos this weekend

 

Above: Cuckoo by Edmund Fellowes

The promise of the first large arrival of Swallows at the beginning of the week was spoiled somewhat by the strength of the south-westerly wind. High pressure over most of southern Europe did mean that some migrants that breed there failed to put the brakes on and duly arrived here in the UK.

Above: Hoopoe by Andy Mason

Around a dozen Hoopoes, three Alpine Swifts, three Purple Herons and singles of Western Subalpine Warbler, Short-toed Lark and Black Stork were all seen. The winds have kept migration slow this week but promise to turn south-easterly and weaken on Saturday, and with high pressure dominating from North Africa to the UK providing ideal migration conditions, this weekend has the potential to be the biggest of the spring so far. My prediction will be the first multiple arrival of Cuckoos into the UK, around ten days ahead of their average arrival date. Take a look at our migration timeline.