CUCKOO

Cuckoo: Uncommon Summer Visitor/Passage Migrant

In 2010 up to 7 cuckoos were present in the scrubland south of Five Oaks Lane, between Hainault Golf Course and Collier Row. This is a really exciting discovery for this nationally struggling species. Other than at this site, Cuckoo are usually an annual passage migrant, with one or 2 sightings each year at Fairlop, Wanstead, and Hainault Forest/Golf Course

2010 Sightings: 35

• April 18th - 1 at Hainault Golf Course
• April 25th - 1 at Hainault Forest CP
• April 27th - 1 in Wanstead Park/Golf Course
• April 27th - 1 at Fairlop Waters CP
• April 30th - 1 at Hainault Forest CP
• May 9th - 1 over Wanstead
• May 23rd - 1 at Five Oaks Lane Scrubland (possibly 2)
• May 27th - 7 at Five Oaks Lane Scrubland (4m, 3f )
• May 29th - 4 at Five Oaks Lane Scrubland (3m, 1f)
• June 2nd - 1 male at Five Oaks Lane Scrubland
• June 3rd - 4 at Five Oaks Lane Scrubland (3m, 1f)
• June 5th - 2 at Five Oaks Lane Scrubland (1m, 1f)
• June 6th - 3 at Five Oaks Lane Scrubland
• June 12th - 4 at Five Oaks Lane Scrubland (3m, 1f)
• June 14th - 2 at Five Oaks Lane Scrubland
• October 11th - 1 over Wanstead Flats
  

2009 Sightings: 9

• 27th September 2009, 1 at Fairlop (juvenile)
• 26th July 2009, 1 over Wanstead Flats
• 25th May 2009, 1 at Fairlop
• 23rd May 2009, 2 at Fairlop
• 10th May 2009, 1 in Hainault Forest
• 8th May 2009, 1 over Wanstead Park (possibly 2)
• 2nd May 2009, 1 in Roding Valley Park
• 25th April 2009, 1 in Hainault Forest

Previous records

• 22nd April 2007, 2 in Hainault Forest
• 13th May 2006, 1 in Fairlop Waters
• 13th May 2006, 1 on Wanstead Flats
• 6th May 2006, 1 in Wanstead Park
• 27th April 2005, 1 in Fairlop Waters
• 18th May 2004, 1 at Fairlop Waters
• 23rd April 2003, 1 at Fairlop Waters

Historical Information:

• In the 1997 edition of Dominic Mitchells 'where to watch birds in the London area' it states the dense woodland holds breeding Cuckoos
• 2 pairs of Cuckoo are reported as having bred at Hainault Forest in 2003 by the late Mr. Mike Dennis, and were still considered to be a yearly Breeding Bird then. It is not known if they have bred since 2003.