Hi Tweets and Michael -

Sorry if there was any confusion over my statement about the "one
exception" YBC. I didn't mean to imply that we considered the bird with
the larva evidence of nesting. I agree with Michael, normally that can
be a good piece of evidence of nesting. My recollection, (my records of
the survey are very efficiently "filed" away someplace) is that for this
particular bird it was sighted on about the earliest date which we had
been led to believe cuckoos would arrive (late June/early July). Even
though as Steve Hampton says, cuckoos are very quick from nesting to
fledging, it was likely too soon for a cuckoo to arrive, court, nest and
hatch young. The bird was probably heading back for cover before eating.

The exception I meant, in the case of this one bird, is that it was the
only one we observed that year which was not perched in the canopy under
cover, or which was returning from the orchard with food.

Steve has more recent information than I do, but I agree that cuckoo
observations in California's central valley/Sacramento Valley have been
generally lower in years following our fairly intensive survey at
Bobelaine. Even though I maintain contacts in the area, I am not aware
of any recent similar study at the sanctuary.

I will say that most of our birds did not follow the typical skulking
pattern, except in their arrival. Most came in, started calling, and
were fairly obvious from below their perches. But this was early in the
season. I understand that once they establish the nest they typically
become silent and true skulkers using roundabout routes to the nest.

Really appreciate the information which has been coming in on this
thread. Yes, the quick interchange of information on the web is great.

Thanks all,

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville, Wa
bellasoc at isomedia.com