Pat Regan's Blog, page 43
August 21, 2020
So, the tide never comes in at Southport - really?
Some like to say... "The tide never comes in at Southport". How wrong they are.
It has been a standing joke for decades when disappointed visitors arrived on the beach only to discover the tide was miles out at low water.
Crashing waves rolling in under the pier... 
Blasting sand and sea spray threatening to make photography impossible at times... 
Tidal fingers racing off the beach and lashing against the sea wall. So, the next time you hear them say that 'the tide never comes in at Southport' jus...
August 19, 2020
Southport Pier & Seafront through the seasons
From blazing sunsets to icy storms - Southport pier has seen it all...
A Lancaster Bomber over the pier at a previous air show...
Nightfall on the pier
Always the chance of a fluke or an eel on the pier...
Looking back at Southport from the end of the pier
The icy Irish Sea...
Blackpool Tower across the River Ribble's estuary, photographed from Southport Pier
Southport Pier pictured from Birkdale.
Pat Regan ©
August 12, 2020
Secret company in the garden
The nest – raiding magpies were kicking up a real commotion as something was clearly upsetting them in the tall poplar trees.
However, this time it was not a cat or a sparrowhawk that had them on edge Both predators had killed garden songbirds before, earlier in the summer.
Suddenly my wife pointed to an animal darting swiftly up a tree trunk. The squirrel raced to a height of about 60 feet then stopped, before moving cautiously towards the ground.
Above: closer still as my Fuji super-zoom cut thro...
August 11, 2020
Spectacular Lightning Storms Across UK
Lightning was experienced across the UK last night after 50,000 strikes were reported to have occurred in 24 hours – with more thunderstorms predicted today.
The term heat lightning (known as silent lightning, summer lightning, or dry lightning) is frequently used to describe lightning from a distant thunderstorm, which is too far away to hear the associated thunder.
During the night, it is possible to see the flashes of lightning from very far distances of up to 100 miles (160 kilometres), but th...
August 3, 2020
Irresponsible beach visitors continue to bring problems
Sefton’s councillors recently expressed their disappointment at selfish individuals leaving heaps of garbage behind on our beaches and local sand dunes.
Disposable Barbecues and broken glass bottles are frequently left partially buried in the sand with sharp wires and splinters exposed. This can pose a risk to wildlife, pets and humans that may walk on it and get injured.
The message is clear to beach visitors – act responsibly and take your litter home or leave it in bins provided. Do not expect ...
July 26, 2020
In pictures: Fast and Furious arrives - by the Pier
A well attended car event took place this evening on the sea front.
Crowds of car enthusiasts flocked to the meeting tonight to watch high-speed thrills.
Burning rubber on the Marine Drive
The crowds watching high-speed action...
More
https://www.facebook.com/groups/373132696740712/
See also
https://www.otsnews.co.uk/local-motor-engineer-dave-will-come-to-you/
https://www.otsnews.co.uk/pictures-lydiate-classic-car-bike-show-1st-july-2018/
https://www.otsnews.co.uk/in-pictures-uk-hot-cars-today/
July 8, 2020
Ex Nursery owner Cath Regan, attacks the PM over childcare
Cath said…
“Since selling Pine Pixies Pre-School in November of 2018, I have closely followed the problems facing childcare settings especially since the lockdown. Hundreds of childcare settings/childcarers had already closed since the introduction of 30 hours, due to lack of government funding. I find it absolutely shocking to see Boris Johnson stuttering to try to answer the questions in this interview. He does not have a bloody single clue when it comes to childcare (I apologise for swearing b...
July 1, 2020
Feeding your garden birds
We often hear people saying that birds don’t need feeding in summer. Ornithological experts however tell us that this claim is wrong. They advise:
‘In winter, supplementary food is often the only option for birds as natural food sources like berries get buried under snow and ice and insects are few and far between. But in summer birds will still be grateful for extra treats, as many are busy raising their young. The RSPB recommends little and often, and says that birds probably won’t eat quite as...
June 20, 2020
British songbirds - RSPB letting them down
To many people the RSPB is the embodiment of bird protection in the UK. However, some severe criticism has been thrown their way due to actions from their bumbling Vice President, Chris Packham.
Some year ago Mr Packham was on his very high horse shouting about some other group that had apparently suggested control measure to protect our songbirds.
Above: a young blackbird - a favourite target of magpies
Chris Packham has been alleged to have been very careful with his words, yet many folk believe ...
June 19, 2020
Batty Bible: The infallible Word of God or the ancient ravings of uneducated hermits…?
The Christian deity needs to brush up on his ornithology if he thinks a BAT is a BIRD…
Examples of God’s basic difficulty in getting it right include the following…
Deuteronomy 14:11-18 King James Version (KJV)
11 Of all clean birds ye shall eat. 12 But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, 13 And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind, 14 And every raven after his kind, 15 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the ha...
