On Mon, 15 Dec 1997, Kelly Cassidy wrote:

> I've probably missed something vital here, but why are the record peaks
> assumed to be migration peaks rather than breeding peaks? Were they
> carrying luggage?

I have to admit to being a bit puzzled as well. I am thoroughly
benefitting from this cuckoo thread but I am wondering where it is
that these north-bound cuckoos are going. I have heard their movements
characterized as over-shooting their intended destination but I still
wonder about this intended destination. I thought that southern B.C. was
the extreme north edge of their breeding range historically and that
they have suffered such a severe range contraction that they no longer
are known to breed there or in Washington or in Oregon. So, the ones
nesting in California must be over-shooting and ending up in Victoria or
Alaska???

Kelly "especially ignorant this morning" McAllister