The twelfth and final monthly visit to Radley Lakes was just after sunrise on a frosty morning with temperatures of minus 4.
The surface of Thrupp Lake was frozen near the road and in sheltered corners on the far side. The ice sheet had a blue-grey edge between grey ice and water.
Somebody had left some food, and gulls and ducks were hovering and squabbling there near a lookout area like a seaside promenade.
The hoar frost coated all the plants and grass at that early hour.
Puddles were frozen, as were the smaller lakes.
A Robin came and hopped around near me with feathers all puffed out.
Next year where shall I go for a monthly visit? So far, I have done Barton Fields, Abbey Fishponds and Radley Lakes.
Drayton road traffic?
Hi Daniel,
One of my eraliest post in December 2005 said, ‘The Double Roundabout at the end of Drayton Road cannot be bettered according to some people. However people stuck in their cars on Drayton Road might think there must be a better way. Various schemes to help improve the flow have been modelled. There have been: traffic lights, a large continental roundabout, a filter lane. But all have been judged unsatisfactory or too expensive.’
Since then, it has gotten worse. I was thinking of a wildlife location. It is an idea, though.
Backstreeter
‘Since then, it has “gotten” worse’. Are you from the USA?
Peep-O-Day Lane?
How about the Ock Path (coupled with a bit if Kingfisher spotting). Then you could keep an eye on the traffic for Daniel too!
Yes, I agree with this one…traffic watching as well as kingfisher spotting!
I had to laugh. People knew that moving the traffic lights at the end of the Drayton Road would not make the slightest bit of difference to traffic coming down the Drayton Road. The developers of the New Morlands Garden Estate on the Drayton Road assured people that people would not be using their cars as they could cycle into Abingdon. They were even going to issue bike vouchers. I go past the estate quite regularly and I have not seen one bicycle coming out of the estate it is all cars.
my suggestion would be a monthly visit to the river thames. There must me numerous activities that happen throughout the year that would be of interest to readers/blog followers.
mark
PS: seasons greetings and many thanks for blogging. I enjoy and learn lots through it.
Ock Valley it is, but there was such a good blog about the Ock Valley at http://viewsoftheock.blogspot.com/ it would be difficult to emulate.
Excellent choice!
I often see the heron, the muntjac, and of course the kingfisher! It’s been a while since I’ve seen the crocodile though; anyone know what happened there…?
Don’t forget to report on the traffic too!