Weather He Likes

He didn't seem to like the cold north-east wind very much. He was hardly to be heard after his first return. Other birds were not put off so easily.

This is more like it as far as he is concerned, always looking for an easy life.

So perhaps Hardy was right. Today, like yesterday, in the bright sun, he was calling regularly. No chestnut spikes for the showers to betumble, in fact no showers at all.

Back view, too.

This is the weather the cuckoo likes,
 And so do I;
 When showers betumble the chestnut spikes,
 And nestlings fly;

Hardy was a countryman but pedants will point out that chestnut spikes are seen in autumn when cuckoos have long since returned. And they prefer nests before the eggs hatch! Oh well.