Exeter field with no name gets name!

Cuckoos helped

Birds heard in a Devon field for the past two years have prompted to it being named after the species.
 
Last month, Devon Wildlife Trust asked for suggestions for a name for a large field at Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter.
 
Nearly 100 people responded. Some wideas ere colourful, others were inventive, and a few were unprintable, but in the end ‘Cuckoo Field’ has been selected as the field’s new name.
 
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Steve Hussey said: “We chose Cuckoo Field from the many suggestions because it seemed to match a local species with a bigger message about hope for nature’s recovery. Cuckoos have been heard calling in this field during the last two years. Many local people and visitors have reported that they’ve heard them which is wonderful news.
 
Cuckoos are just one of many species that have declined rapidly in numbers during recent decades. Where once they were a relatively common sight and sound across the countryside, now they are much more rare. To hear them calling here in the city is a piece of much-needed good news. We hope this new name will reflect this.”
 
The name, Cuckoo Field, was put forward by Exeter resident Colin Chivers. He said: “For more than 25 years I have been out enjoying these wonderful hills and valleys and the fantastic views. My memory of hearing the cuckoo all those years ago, so close to Exeter was a highlight.
 
"After many cuckoo quiet years, hearing it again in Ludwell Valley Park on a lovely spring morning last year was so special, just as so many folk were out enjoying their Covid exercise that day. 
 
Devon Wildlife Trust has managed Ludwell Valley Park on behalf of Exeter City Council since 2019. Last year the charity began to reinstate the old names of fields within the Valley Park’s 50 hectares of meadows, hedgerows and woodland. It installed a series of small signs at gateways and entrances, each bearing field names taken from a map of the area which dated from 1843.