Talkback: Cuckoos

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I've got a second, maybe even a third brood of blackbirds just emerged from the shells which have been jettisoned on to my path. Here's hoping for a clement autumn for the wee things. There are still lots of butterflies feeding like mad in the September sunshine. i shall leave the potting shed door open during the day as lots like to hibernate in there.

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I heard several during the Spring over here by the River Wissey in Norfolk. I actually saw one last summer, which was a treat considering I wasn't actually looking for it at the time.

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After many years of not hearing a single Cuckoo, this year I heard lots- well, it was probably the same one!
Every day for a few weeks it cuckoo-ed, I was so excited I even phoned my friend waving my phone out of the window so she could hear it too.!
My kids thought I was potty.
We live in South Northants on the edge of forest land.

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I will be taking great care not to over do the tidying of my garden this year. Instead planning to encourage more butterflies, bees etc. Making little feeding stations all over the garden. Have had a wonderful time watching my wild life and all my nesting insects.

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Hello.Cuckoo's and Cats who eat Birds, Slugs who eat Plants ect are just doing what they do naturally and God bless them for it, it is us humans who do the worst to this world,i would never kill a slug,i just dont grow Plants that they like or except the that they are a tasty morsel for our little slimy friends, am i mad,i dont know.

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I heard two Cuckoo's calling from the woods opposite the car park at The Malvern Show in May. And I heard calls from Ashridge Forest near Berkhamsted in springtime too but the Malvern ones were near and clearer and sounded more energetic. I wonder if the calls become a bit lack lustre into the season once they've done it?

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queenmay, if you are mad ,so are a lot of gardeners. I have to turn away if I see anyone deliberately killing something with life in it. As for cuckoos - parasitic plants do the same thing by living off their host plant and who can object to such beautiful plants as broomrapes and mistletoe?

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First time blogger , I guess you would say. When I clicked on the blog, the article about cuckoos popped up!! All I had was a simple question about lettuce. I live in Rimrock, AZ about 3500 ft. I have greenhouses and grow all the leafy veggies in grotubes. Everything does well and tastes good except the lettuce. It is always bitter. Do I need to change the ph or fertilizer.... no idea..... Thanks

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happymarion - fingers crossed for your blackbirds. What a great idea re butterflies!

ArtisanTheory - wow you saw one! Wonderful

Daph - I would have waved the phone out of the window too, regardless of how embarrassing I was to the kids!

Kate