Migration of the Northwestern European Population of the Cuckoo Cuculus Canorus, as Shown by Ringing

SUMMARY The migration of the Cuckoo Cuculus canorus is described from recoveries of ringed birds. Young birds begin to migrate in August and most go southwards by September—those in continental Europe move southeast, south or southwest, while those from the British Isles move southeast. In spring, migrants arrive in Europe in April/May, second‐(calendar) year birds doing so later than post‐second‐year birds. In autumn old birds depart in advance of first‐year birds; and the individual bird may move stepwise through Europe. Old birds showed a marked tendency to return to the same places inhabited in previous breeding seasons, and birds ringed as nestlings subsequently tended to return to the general vicinity of the natal site.