Look to the skies

[bellinghman]

One thing with being outside is that one sees what's flying around somewhat more.

Buzzard - seen over Reading last Saturday, identified by someone else
Red Kite - seen over Reading last Saturday, after being told that kites have V-tails, and therefore the previous bird wasn't a kite
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress - seen passing low over Wimpole Community Farm while watering last Sunday. Unless I'm mistaken, it was Sally B (I didn't write down the fuselage numbers).
The Red Arrows - seen passing low over our office in Royston in 5 + 4 formation on Tuesday.

Comments

[gmh.livejournal.com]

There are two ways to tell a Red Kite:

1. Sharply forked tail - not by itself a 100% guide, since tail feathers moult.

2. Red Kites have very noticeable white L-shaped markings under their outer wings.

If it's got both of these, it's a kite.

It's still a little bit of a shock to me to see one, as when I was growing up, they were very rare and confined to wild bits of Wales, but over the last 20 years they've been reintroduced very successfully to the Home Counties, particularly the M40 corridor and Reading.

[bellinghman.livejournal.com]

It was difficult to see any markings, since it was more of a silhouette (afternoon, bright sunny day, it was almost above us). But it was a big bird, and that forked tail reminiscent of the much smaller swallows.

And yes, they do appear to be pretty common Reading way these days. Hoorah!

[martyn44.livejournal.com]

At the moment, I believe Sally B is the only Fortress flying in the UK at present.

[bellinghman.livejournal.com]

Unless The Pink Lady has popped over from France, or one of the US ones is making a visit, yes, it will be.