Update (31/5/2023)
Many thanks to those readers who responded to this post … it provoked quite a flurry of interesting notes. In summary Fan-tailed Cuckoos have been regularly recorded locally (central Victoria) over past month, as well as a number of observations from further afield in Victoria. In most cases the birds were calling. It’s hard to draw any definitive conclusions but I reckon Fan-tailed Cuckoos are worthy of closer study, as are a number of other migrants.
It may well be that Fan-tailed Cuckoos are ‘climate sentinels’, species that are responding to climate variability or change. I’ll have more to say on this topic ‘down the track’.
It’s the exception that proves the rule.
Fan-tailed Cuckoos are migrants to the forests and woodlands of central Victoria.
Conventional wisdom is that they head north in early autumn to return again in late winter, with a small number of birds remaining to ‘overwinter’. During this time they remain silent, to begin calling again in early August.
On Friday morning the bird pictured below could not possibly have been overlooked as it called enthusiastically from our front yard for a good thirty minutes or so.
Looking at local records (20km radius of Newstead) in Birdata, there are only a handful (less than 10) of observations in May since 1995. I’d be interested if any local readers have been hearing this species during May.
Fan-tailed Cuckoo (calling), Newstead, 26th May 2023
Fan-tailed Cuckoo + Drooping Sheoak
II
In a similar vein, the first Golden Wattle flowers have appeared. Peak flowering locally is usually July to late August.
Golden Wattle, South German Track, Muckleford State Forest, 27th May 2023
Natural Newstead 
I am hearing something similar to a fan-tailed cuckoo, Geoff. But to me it sounds more like the searching call of a grey thrush. I will be more attentive.
It worries me that if it is a thrush, s/he has taken over a week now its lost companion.
I have heard the fan-tailed cuckoo recently in Yandoit…
Hi Geoff, I’ve been hearing fan tailed cuckoos here in Wangaratta South for about the last 4 weeks. Not at all usual. I guess it might just be one , but suspect more than one.
Heard Fantail cuckoo yesterday on rail line below our house Adams rd HarcourtRegardsGary and Judy Smith 0408505654
Hi Geoff I have one photo of a fan tailed cuckoo in our bush here at Faraday on 10 May this year and others on 15 and 16 May back in 2013. The latter probably the same bird I think. These the only sightings in May, a few others in April, rest later in the year as per normal. Cheers Mez Woodward
Commenting on the wattle. This is really early, and odd. Golden Wattle season is one of the traditional owner calendar seasons, pointing to a strong phenology.
Buds have set really strongly after the wet year last year. Oddly, the seed set last season was not great where I am and I’m wondering if there is a delay effect where we’ll see a big response this season.
Hi Geoff, coincidentally we seem to have spotted this bird today in a wattle outside our house in Baringhup. We were wondering what he was and shall keep both eye and ear focused. Thanks for the timely message
Hi Geoff. We were birding at Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary Linton yesterday and heard a pair of Fan tailed Cuckoos calling which we also we surprised at.
and two calling at the wintery Seymour Golf Course last Tuesday 23rd May
I’ve been hearing it here in Yandoit lately as well. The Golden wattle does seem advanced but not yet flowering. There’s a few other plants starting to get ready for flowers that normally would be later…
Seen a few around Shepparton recently
Hi Geoff, I heard one calling here in Muckleford on 27 May. In late April/early May (should have made a record!) an individual visited for about a week. I don’t see much of them here from year to year – mainly see Horsefield’s and Pallid (predominantly cleared land where we are)
Hello Geoff, Re your question about seeing Fan Tail Cuckoo’s, Rocky has seen & heard two. Fri 26th May at Donkey Farm track not far from Gower track. Sat 27th May at Muckleford trestle bridge. Both within range of Newstead. Regards Rocky and June Huxley
Hey Geoff, I recorded a Fan-tailed cuckoo this morning at Muckleford train station.
Heard one today (6/6) at our place