by Nick Evans

The cuckoo has been listed as one of Britain’s most threatened birds by the RSPB, but one of the creatures continues to thrive on Sheppey.
Angela Walder, who is chairman of the Island’s RSPCA branch, said a cuckoo had been returning to scrubland at the back of her Minster home for the past 10 years. She said: “It’s quite out of the way, so it’s a natural habitat for him. He’s quite vocal so I presume he has a mate somewhere, although I have only seen it fly twice so far this year.
“Twitchers have set up cameras on tripods in the lane alongside the ground in hope of getting a picture of the bird.”
Cuckoos came to the fore last week when the RSPB announced they were being added to its red list of threatened species, along with the lapwing and yellow wagtail. The house sparrow and starling are also on the list.
The RSPB says cuckoos continue to be widespread summer visitors to the south east but numbers are rapidly declining.
Their addition to the red list highlights the concern that many long-distance migratory birds nesting in Europe and wintering in Africa are increasingly in trouble.
Yellow wagtails have been dwindling in the south east but still breed at sites including the RSPB reserve at Elmley Marshes.
Hester Phillips, of RSPB South East, said: “The inclusion of yet more familiar south east birds on the red list shows how important the remaining populations found here really are.
“These breeding populations, and the special places they are found, need our help now more than ever.”
uE06E Have you seen or heard another cuckoo in the Bartons Hill Drive area? Let us know by calling 01795 580300.