Cuckoos return from South Africa this month. Officially 14 April, St Tiburtius’ Day, is when you first hear cuckoo song. Traditionally, one writes to The Times on hearing the first cuckoo of spring, but you could write to us instead.

Look for: A grey head and bright yellow ring around the eye, dark grey plumage on top and barred feathers below, a little like a sparrow hawk. Some of the females are brown.

Spot them: Around the edges of woodlands and grasslands.

Listen for: Only the males ‘cuckoo’ – and you know what that sounds like. Females make a sort of bubbling sound.

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