weather

Cattle & Ponies.

/ Andy Finnegan / 2 Comments

Another New Forest walk yesterday. Much cooler this morning- The recent heatwave has left its mark. Many of the streams have dried up along with some of the pools where we study Dragonflies. Much of the grass is baked brown the whole forest waits for some of the forecast rain and thunderstorms.

The cattle and ponies are staying close to or regularly drinking water places such as Cadnams Pool. Due to the lack of fresh grass, they are eating leaves from the trees.

BBQs and open fires are now banned in the New Forest due to the fire risk. Although there are a lot of green areas within the forest underfoot the grass and gorse is tinder dry.

Ponies cooling off. Note the cotton grass in a green area of none brown grass at the end of the film which warns of a boggy area.

Is this the end of the world as we know it?

/ Andy Finnegan / 3 Comments

We have survived a heatwave last 3 days the weather has caused a total meltdown here in the UK. Being obsessed with the weather we Brits have been totally preoccupied with what the temperature is and our infrastructure failings however we have short memories and in a few weeks, we will have forgotten what the effects of extreme heat are and climate changes are and we will return to our selfish ways.

A major fire swept through Hook nature reserve on Southampton Water near Washash.

We have been spending a lot of time during the heatwave by the sea at our usual spot on Meon Shore. The sea breeze helped cool the air and allow some comfort.

Probably the coolest place in the UK was on the water sailing in a yacht out in the Solent. These were sailing off Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Pictures were taken through a heavy heat haze from Meon Beach

Some people found other ways of keeping cool! Please note a hat is essential.

Some bird watching from the water’s edge. Despite the number of people on the beach birds were plentiful.

Oystercatchers.

Turnstones.

Herring Gull. (With attitude.)

Common Terns.

A young tern thinks he has caught a big fish!

Work goes on for others whatever the weather.

Experimental Hovercraft.

Shipping leaving port.

Search and Rescue Helicopter on patrol.

Thunderstorms and cooler weather are now forecast.

Beach structure.

/ Andy Finnegan / 7 Comments

Looking like a UFO or some structure from another world this mysterious-looking structure on Burry Port beach revealed itself in 2018, after a period of bad weather and storms which caused coastal erosion at the site of an old power station. It is actually the base of an experimental wind turbine left behind from the 1980s and 1990s.

Dartford Warbler.

/ Andy Finnegan / 2 Comments

The Dartford Warbler is found in a few localised places in the UK. Back in early1960’s following servere winters Dartford warblers numbers crashed and only10 pairs remained (They only eat insects and do not migrate for the winter, which means it is vulnerable to cold weather and prolonged snow cover ). On a positive note today, there are about 3,200 pairs nesting.

They are dependent on dry heath habitats, particularly on gorse in good condition. It is a ground-nesting bird, preferring to breed under the protective cover of dense heather or compact gorse. It makes a grassy, cup-shaped nest, in which it lays three to five eggs. It can have up to three broods from April to July.

A bird I only saw once in my childhood today I know of 4 places where they are doing well close to my home.

sound on to hear song.

Around a car park.

/ Andy Finnegan / 2 Comments

Views around a New Forest car park where there is always something to see. A handful of birdseed always brings in some birds

First in today was Blue Tits, quickly followed by a squirrel and later a Robin.

There was some heavy traffic today that passed using one of the old WW2 aerodrome concrete roadways.

The Robin was having a bad hair day due to a strong easterly wind.

Postcards

/ Andy Finnegan / 6 Comments

Camper van trip {Pt 6}

Mixed views from a few days away.

River at Lynmouth – On the 15th and 16th of August 1952, a storm broke over south-west England, depositing 9 inches of rain within 24 hours on the already saturated soil of  Exmoor and Devon. Debris in the floodwaters cascaded down streams and rivers converging upon the village of Lynmouth. Above the village in the upper West Lyn valley, fallen trees and other debris formed a dam, which in due course gave way, sending a huge wave of water and debris down the river. Overnight, more than 100 buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged 38 cars were washed out to sea, 34 people died.
The rebuilt Rhenish Tower survived the main flood but was seriously undermined. The tower collapsed into the river the next day. A digger is in the harbour removing gravel that built up after a recent storm blocking some of the harbour.

Views along the coast views of the sea at Blue Anchor and Minehead.

Minehead RNLI B Class rigid-hulled lifeboat and launch tractor are housed in the car park while the 1901 lifeboat house is being refurbished and extended – always ready for the call.

Statue of Lorna Doone at Dulverton. Lorna Doone a Romance of Exmoor is a novel by author Richard Doddridge Blackmore, published in 1869. It is a romance based on a group of historical characters and set in the late 17th century in Devon and Somerset, particularly around the East Lyn Valley area of Exmoor.

footnote flood pictures.

After storm 3!

/ Andy Finnegan / 4 Comments

Another stormy night as the 3rd storm lashes the UK in as many days. Many trees are down on local roads and places closed. Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve remains closed since the end of last week as authorities need to check the trees are safe.

The Red Funnel Isle of Wight ferry was having a choppy crossing this morning. Some services were cancelled over the weekend.

A workforce was out repairing the seawall at Titchfield Harbour.

On the shore, Sanderlings were feeding at the water’s edge and out of the wind. Sitting down on the beach using one of the groynes as a windbreak I was able to take some pictures as the feed today clams seem to be on the menu.

The ringed bird is a regular bird that I see on Meon Shore.

Storms.

/ Andy Finnegan / 7 Comments
The morning before we were due to be hit by Storm Dudley and Eunice. A red weather warning of 90mph winds in some parts has been forecast.

After a very windy night this morning (Saturday 19/02/22) it was time to come out from our cover following the passing of Storm Eunice through the south of the UK.

We did not come out unscathed a brick gate post had been forced over and a fence had broken off!

News reports are giving reports of many trees down with buildings and cars damaged. Early reports are saying 3 or 4 people have been killed.

With high tides and the wind still strong the seas remain rough.

A short trip to collect some trail cameras left in local woodland the cameras were safe despite the destruction in the woods.

Although it was late morning we spotted a Badger out in daylight – he was running across the field towards us he had not seen us until he was very close, once spotted he changed direction. I nearly did not bring a telephoto lens out with me today but I have been caught out before! This encounter brightened up the day.