Turbocharger Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 I took the long route to finish my Christmas shopping, and didn't find any of the gridlock that the news is reporting... I have a new camera, so took the opportunity to test drive it too. A lovely sign of the time of year. I was the first person today along the lane, so it was perfect and unspoiled. The ford wasn't too deep, but the water in the footwell was crushingly cold! Offroad winter scene. There was ice on several of the puddles along the route - this one was nearly half an inch thick! It's been a couple of years since I've been down to Easton Grey, and I was shocked at the level of erosion from illegal offroading there. It's a SSSI and a breeding ground for crayfish, but the local authority's concrete 'sharks teeth' are now scattered around, including in the river itself. What can you do when they have 4WD and winches? I had a (ahem) "moment" on the backroads on the way back, as I discovered what happens when a Torsen diff sends all the power to the outside rear wheel when cornering in snow! I did spot some wildlife though - can anyone ID the bird? It had a ~4ft wingspan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwhitton Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 Nice day out! The bird of prey looks like a buzzard. Without any sun there are not enough thermals for them to glide on hence I too have seen many sat in trees during the snowy / icy / foggy days. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 Looks more like a red kite to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaDi90Hybrid Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 I agree with the kite theory but it is difficult to tell the difference when they are 'perched'. I like the fosse way and we've used it for the last few years to get up to Eastnor for the show but can't remember the ford. We join just north of the M4 around Leigh Delamare services is it south of there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share Posted December 29, 2009 The ford's about halfway between the motorway and Kemble airfield - you've done well not to spot it! Kite or buzzard, I tried to get a better picture but it's awkward because the little buggers keep moving. The things you see when you haven't got your telephoto lens, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milliejasper1111 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Buzzard! this area is full of them, Red kites are a bit larger, and tend not to sit and hang around, unlike the buzzard. looked like you had fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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