I have taken so many shots like this both this year and last that I am almost starting to take it for granted.  It's not simple, first you need a Cuckoo but after that it's really a question of  setting the camera corectly and then keeping your wits about you. It's a waiting game and with good light and patience you just need to wait for a good apportunity. So let me tell you about my morning.

I arrived a little later than yesterday it's  my impression that the Cuckoo is at it it's most  active nearer 10 than 9, probably because at 9 the ground is still a bit damp with dew.  The Cuckoo is feeding on Caterpillars and they are probable not active until the sun warms the grass.  This morning it was a bit sunnier than the last few days and when I arrived at 9.45 the Cuckoo was alreadyin situ.  I got myself sorted and I had a good sighting almost immediately.

 The morning continud quite successful apart from a particularly upsetting episode that saw two bird watchers probably husband and wife, not aware of me, disturb the bird. They had obviously heard him and came for a better look, I saw them watch and then once they had had their fill, just walk back to their car right past him, he flew off almost in panic to the safety of the far trees. I knew that they were aware that by walking so clos to him they would scare him off and they simply didn't care.  Disgusting behaviour. Later on another couple arrved, I have met them before, they are charming and very interested in the proper way. I called them over to me and they sat close as we waited for the bird to perform. As we watched. a female joined the male and wow, was it getting exciting. I felt sure that he was going to interact with the female, perhaps mate? Then Murphy played his hand. This is my 10th session with this bird, this was the first time that male and female had been together, and then a hiker, the first in 10 sessions, nonchalently stumbled towards the pair………. how frustrating was that, and like I said, Murphy's law.

(Small image because it's just a record). The female comes to join in, . Who knows what would would have happend next without the walker.  Note the brownish chest and the flank stripes, white in the male, are golden in the (this) female.