Month: April 2025

Living History.

/ Andy Finnegan / Leave a comment

Today we had an exciting fast boat trip from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. On  High Speed Launch 102.

A calm sea and sunny weather added to the experience.

102 is the only survivor of the 100 class in the UK. She was launched in 1936. She was one of the first, fast offshore rescue boats in service with the Royal Air Force. She was one of the most technologically advanced production craft of the day, She saw active service in WW2. Off Calshot, she was damaged by a Messerschmitt 109 which also killed her radio operator. 1943, she transferred to the Royal Navy for target towing. She was sold off off in 1946. She became a houseboat. She was restored between 1993 and 1996 at Fawley. Now she is in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Lapwing.

/ Andy Finnegan / 1 Comment

One Lapwing was sitting in the grass, and two others were flying /displaying just over her head. My interpretation was that they were two males trying to impress. The mating season has started in the wetlands.

Antlers.

/ Andy Finnegan / 3 Comments

Fallow deer bucks typically cast their antlers annually, usually between April and May. The regrowth of new antlers follows this process. They are initially covered in soft, velvety skin. This skin is later rubbed off, leaving a hardened antler by August or September.

I watched 4 bucks in the New Forest this morning. Three had cast their antlers. The one still with his antlers had taken the alpha role and was dominant in this small group.

Building.

/ Andy Finnegan / 4 Comments

I returned to the New Forest where Redstarts were abundant. I had posted pictures of them a few days ago.(mainly male birds) This visit it was female birds which were abundant and they were nest building.