BOP'son the A34

[ray55]

Is the A34 between Newbury and Winchester turning into the place to see Birds of Prey??....drove down it yesterday and in around 20 miles counted no fewer than 11 buzzards..two red kites..a sparrowhawk (I think) and numerous kestrels. But knowing my luck, if I'd set out to watch BOPs on the A34, they'd have all been elsewhere!!

[Jonners]

That's quite a tally, Ray, well done. I wonder how many of the other motorists noticed them too and how many didn't see a thing. I guess it's all about what you're tuned into.

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Jonners

That's quite a tally, Ray, well done. I wonder how many of the other motorists noticed them too and how many didn't see a thing. I guess it's all about what you're tuned into.

I think most motorists where tuned into the road.

I'm a little concerned that he was able to see and count these birds (never mind I.D) whilst driving over such a distance... i think maybe a re-sit of driving test should be called before he ends up killing somebody because he wasn't concentrating on the road.

[Jonners]

By all means keep your eyes on the road, but it's important to be aware of what else is happening apart from directly in front of you. I regularly see birds while driving, including buzzards, sparrowhawks, kestrels etc not to mention pheasants, partridges, wood pigeons, crows and so on. I would love to see 11 buzzards today when I drive about 30 or so miles along the A14 and A11, and if I do, I don't think that will warrant me having to retake my driving test. If I keep my eyes open for potential hazards I will also potentially see other things while I am driving. I don't want to drive with tunnel vision - that's a recipe for disaster, except I won't see the disasters, because I'm too busy staring at the road ahead
PS I would agree with WH if Ray was using binoculars at the time!

[ray55]

Partly agree with Ian...especially as my wife works for Hampshire Constabulary as a Driver Awareness instructor!!!!...but most of these birds were directly in my line of vision..I wasnt deliberately looking for birds as I was driving. But even so...I was amazed to see so many in such a relatively short distance.

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by ray55

Partly agree with Ian...especially as my wife works for Hampshire Constabulary as a Driver Awareness instructor!!!!...but most of these birds were directly in my line of vision..I wasnt deliberately looking for birds as I was driving. But even so...I was amazed to see so many in such a relatively short distance.

Fair enough... i was in a grumpy one early.

[agrumpycow]

Returning to the original observation, I have always seen a large number of buzzards on that particular stretch of the road flying and sat on trees/lampposts and sparrowhawks too. I've often wondered why there was so many myself! They seem to fly particularly low there too. Maybe it's something to do with the landscape, I don't know (and I'm often a passenger, not the driver )

[ANNO]

begrudgingly accept the comments re;: safety - having struggled for without a sunroof got one - fantastic for seeing Peregrine, not so good on a busy local bridge - I was THE accident waiting to happen and had to get rid sharpish.....

[Astra]

The A34 runs quite close to the Hawk Conservancy Centre (less than 10 miles at one point) and I think a fair few wild BOP hang about the area to see what's going on.
Plus the Red Kites were probably originally released from there.