Reports of Indian cuckoos from Cheung Chau today, but none here yet.

It's here. Heard at 0540 near the Power Station

Well observed, ChaBo!

They are here too in Tai Peng this morning. I was getting quite worried - it was way past their curfew and with Friday 13th coming up, evil lurks in those lonely migration routes. I feared they could have been waylaid by a passing goatsucker.

Anyway - April 11th - they're back. Get used to it.

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Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

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Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

There seem to be less Indian Cuckoos than in past years - even less than last year, which was way down. We recall that in the SARS year they were all over the place. A sign of the times?

_________________
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

Scene II: Tai Peng Old Village, one year and three days later.

They're back again, three days later than last year, but the same date as in 2007.

So get used to it again!

Or if you really can't get enough of that catchy melody, try to revive this old Shirley Ellis song from the 60s:

My mamma told me
If I was goody
That she would buy me
A rubber dolly

My auntie told her
I kissed a solider
Now she wont buy me
A rubber dolly, etc.

(I think the new slimline Lammagung uses it as a skipping song)

Here's a somewhat updated version from the Belle Stars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfmpykW-IfY

That's hilarious!
(love the 4 syllable parallel)
I like the Shirley Ellis version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgnCB7oni8o
I think this is the kinda music that my students might actually really get into - with the formulaic movements and vocals - also her song 'The Name Game' would be a hit with my ESL students.
I'll try not to dwell overly on the strange implications of one's mother promising one a rubber doll for good behaviour though.

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
----- Margaret Mead

In searching for a youtube video of Indian Cuckoos (fruitless) I instead found calls of the "Koyal", aka, I've found out, the Koel. I know close to nothing about bird species and have been wondering what was making that insistent noise both in city parks and at home. Can anybody clarify what kind of Koel is is found in Hong Kong, or if there is more than one type?

Thanks!

_________________
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
----- Margaret Mead

Just in case there is a short pause in the cuckoo's performance some time during the 24 hours and you need more, here's a short recording taken early this morning, with the Indian cuckoo singing to a background of crested bulbuls and tree sparrows. (Thanks Gung for the extra size limit). You can make it into a loop for extra impact.

Scene III. Tai Peng rooftop, one year later. The assembled party is enjoying the soft peaceful sounds of crickets and the occasional Romer's tree frog, in the knowledge that this peace is about to be disrupted again by those pesky Indian cuckoos with their moronic repetitive mantra!

Who's going to be first to hear one? (Try the recordings or songs above to remind you of the tune if you've forgotten)

Yep Zep... Just heard my first of the year over by Tai Shan...... I'll see if I can send it over to you

6th April - not bad. Please feel free to keep it over there.

Are they likely be in Pokfulam / Wah Fu as well?