Tracking a trio of cuckoos

The public is being invited to follow the journey of three Irish cuckoos as they are being tracked on their migration to Africa, in conservation efforts to understand their decline and safeguard their future.
Using satellite technology, the Cuckoo Tracking Project will trace the routes of three cuckoos – Cuach Sean from Wicklow Mountains National Park, Cuach Rua from the Burren National Park, and Cuach Cores from Killarney National Park. Their fortunes can be followed on the website of the British Trust for Ornithology.
Since 2011, the Cuckoo Tracking Project has been following the journeys of a number of cuckoos from Ireland and the UK using satellite technology, in order to investigate the many facets of these fascinating birds’ lives and to better understand the causes behind their decline. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is a partner on this project which is led by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). This year, the project is tracking seven new birds in total from Ireland and the UK.
Satellite data shows that Cuach Sean was the first of this year’s birds to cross the Channel and was the farthest south of this year’s group. After leaving Wicklow and following a brief stop in Somerset he pressed on into France. He stopped in the foothills of the Alps, east of Chambery and the most recent update showed he was in northern Italy, close to the town of Andora on the Italian Riviera. Cuach Rua left a little later, stopping near The Ballagh in Co. Wexford, then crossed over to Wales. Cuach Cores was trailing behind, however, and was still in his breeding grounds in Killarney National Park, where he was tagged three years ago, while the other two were making progress on their journeys. Over the past 15 years, the project has been providing useful insights into the pressures faced by the cuckoo population.
Commenting on the project, Sam Bayley, NPWS conservation ranger said: “This project has been an amazing opportunity to get a detailed understanding of both the cuckoos’ breeding home range, migration routes, and wintering grounds. The more we learn the more we can understand the pressures and strains on this species which has seen a 26 per cent decline in the last 40 years in Ireland.  Working closely with our colleagues at British Trust for Ornithology not only allows us to compare data, but also enables everyone to follow their stories as it happens through the online blogs. It is a great way to share the struggles they face.”
Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, said: “The call of the cuckoo represents the start of summer for many people and is a familiar and much-loved sound in the countryside. I’m really excited about this project, which will help us learn more about these fascinating and mysterious birds so that we can better protect them. I’m encouraging everyone to keep an eye on the website and see which routes they’re taking, how fast they’re travelling, where they end up – and who arrives first! Armed with greater understanding, we will be in a better position to protect the beloved cuckoo, so that generations to come can enjoy the sound of the cuckoo for many more summers.”
Follow the fortunes of Cuach Sean, Cuach Rua and Cuach Cores on the British Trust for Ornithology’s website.