First, I’ve now checked out cuckoo migration and I was wrong! Apparently, cuckoos typically leave Britain between late June and early August to begin their migration back to Central and Southern Africa, where they spend the winter. Adult cuckoos depart first, from late June to mid-July: they don’t have to raise their young after all! The young cuckoos, which fledge later having been raised by their foster parents, leave a few weeks after the adults, generally by early to mid-August. What staggered me is that the young cuckoos make the journey alone without guidance from adults, navigating by instinct. Thank you, to one of my neighbours who pointed out that she is still hearing the cuckoos down south! After a saline wash and sleep, my eye seemed to have recovered, much to my relief. We arrived at the drop off point at 10 and Martin walked out with me a short distance before turning back. The path descended quickly down towards Cromarty bridge, with a red kite as usual being pestered by ...