Cuckoo’s call a rare sound in Glenrothes

THE SOUND of the cuckoo in Glenrothes is further proof the species is still thriving in Scotland.

Eagle-eared local councillor Peter Grant contacted The Courier to say the bird’s distinctive call could be heard in the town recently.

He said: “I’ve often heard cuckoos and even managed to see a few in various parts of Scotland — they’re surprisingly difficult to see, despite being so loud — but this is the first time I’ve seen or heard one in Glenrothes in nearly 30 years.

“I don’t know if it’s taking up residence somewhere or just passing through.”

Cuckoos have hit a worrying decline in England, where populations plummeted by 63% between 1995 and 2009.

However, populations seem to be holding up in Scotland, where numbers fell by just 2% during the same period.

The British Trust for Ornithology ( BTO) is researching the migration habits of cuckoos.

BTO spokesman Paul Stancliffe said: “Scotland seems to be the place in the UK for cuckoos at the moment. We think Scottish cuckoos might take a different migration route or winter in a completely different area.

“They might have more food available when they are in Scotland in summer, or more host species, or they might be doing something completely different from English cuckoos on migration.”