Weekends That Were - June 2020

Day 82 Monday 1.6.20

The first day of summer and a bank holiday to boot. I got out early to avoid probable crowds and stopped off at Booterstown Marsh on the way to Irishtown NR.

Added a couple of common birds to my site list for this trip – European Greenfinch being the main highlight. There were a handful of Black-tailed Godwits, but that was it for the waders.

On to Irishtown and a long (8 kms round trip) walk again out to the red lighthouse at the end of the South Wall. Much the same birds as previous although the cool easterly breeze kept most of the passerines down and quiet. The Black Guillemots were in evidence again and I saw one coming out of a hole in the sea wall this time. Several perched up on the rock wall itself as the number of people on the pier was less than last time. Again added a couple of common species to the site list but really nothing worth writing home about, as they say. The only two things worthy of any notice – a dozen Dunlin perched up with the Ruddy Turnstones waiting for the tide to drop and half a dozen Speckled Woods as an additional butterfly sp.

Covid-19

Australia: 7,221 (+17) and 102 – must have rescinded one of the previous deaths.

Ireland: 25,062 (+72) and 1,650 – also a reassessment of previous deaths.

UK: 276,332 (+1570) and 39,045 (+111)

USA: 1,859,323 (+22,153) and 106,925 (+730)

Trip Total: 106

Day 83 Tuesday 2.6.20

I headed up into the Dublin Mountains again, driving a bit further than the allotted 5 kms, but figured it wouldn’t be doing any harm. I got to Bridge Rd, parked as best I could on the narrow bitumen and found my way onto a very rough track running along the side of a steep sided valley, and eventually through Knocksink Wood, along the side of the Clodagh River. It started through tall pine trees and broke out here and there into sunny glades of brambles and low deciduous scrub, eventually into more deciduous forest. At times there were limited views along parts of the small river, but it was quite overhung by trees and bushes for the most part. 

Knocksink Wood

The birds were few and far between, so much so I didn’t even write up a site list. I did see several Eurasian Blackcaps and one Common Whitethroat, but apart from that absolutely nothing worthwhile.

I walked the track for an hour and a half – about 2 and a half kilometres, although it felt further. It was a pretty narrow, non-maintained track that, despite signs of regular use, was challenging at times. I reached a well-constructed foot bridge and turned back. Halfway back I found my target – or one of them – White-throated Dipper – a lot of effort for a trip tick, that is normally reasonably easy in the mountains in summer. I had hoped for a Woodpecker, and certainly for more birds in general, but it was not to be. A nice walk alongside a nice little river, but I don’t think I’ll be going back.

Covid-19

Australia: 7,221 (+17) and 102.

Ireland: 25,066 (+4) and 1,658 (+8)

UK: 277,985 (+1,653) and 39,369 (+324)

USA: 1,869,190 (+9,867) and 107,583 (+658)

Trip Total: 107

Day 84 Wednesday 3.6.20

Yesterday: twenty six degrees, hot and sunny. 

Today: fourteen degrees, cold, cloudy and damp.

I didn’t go anywhere or do any birding. 

I retrieved the repaired cabinet mirror door and re-installed it. Did some shopping, watched Netflix. That was about it.

Covid-19

Worldwide – 6.5 million cases.

Australia: 7,229 (+8) and 102.

Ireland: 25,111 (+45) and 1,659 (+1)

UK: 279,856 (+1,871) and 39,728 (+359)

USA: 1,890,365 (+9,160) and 108,567 (+508)

Trip Total: 107

Day 85 Thursday 4.6.20

Another cold, cloudy morning with potential rain threatening but I went out early anyway – once again, more for the getting out, than the actual birding. It turned out to be an OK morning though. Cabinteely Park was largely deserted – maybe because I was earlier, maybe because the weather was not conducive, however, the birds were pretty active.

I had a male Eurasian Blackcap singing and two Dabchicks were on the pond – without any chicks which suggested they hadn’t successfully bred. I finally had a single European Greenfinch – after 12 visits. I know it’s not anything special but on EBird everyone else seems to have had them regularly. It brought my site list to 37, and with a total of 25 species (!) + 2 Grey Squirrels for the morning was one of my better days there. I know, again, 25 species is piss weak compared to somewhere like Minnippi or Oxley, but it’s very satisfying when you achieve a higher mark than normal. I also had a Grey Wagtail perching, unusually I thought, in a tree and Mistle Thrushes seemed to be everywhere. 

Yep, yep, yep, as I’ve said before, small victories in a difficult climate, bear with me!

Just as I got home my eldest daughter called and Mum and I spent some time on a video call with her and the boys, which was really nice. The down side of the call was the advice from my police sergeant son-in-law that I may not be able to smoke for the two week isolation period when I get back to Brisbane. Apparently it’s all too hard to take people down to the smoking area in the hotel in Surfers Paradise. He didn’t know, as I don’t, what Covid accommodation has been organised in Brisbane, but they have had so many returning from overseas into Brisbane that they have had to send the overflow down the coast. 

Typical government. 

You can drink yourself into a coma, but God help you if you want a cigarette. 

We’ll see.

Covid-19

Australia: 7,240 (+11) and 102 (+0)

Ireland: 25,142 (+31) and 1,664 (+5). Discussion around bringing forward more extensive lifting of restrictions next Monday. There is talk about opening more retail outlets - but still keeping the (new) travel restrictions to 20 kms. Doesn’t make much sense to me. Allow people into shops, but not let them drive further? WTF?

UK: 281,661 (+1,805) and 39,904 (+176). Another confusing message from the government around the use of facemasks on public transport. Boris and his Boyos seem to be afraid to make anything mandatory, always relying on people’s ‘goodwill’. Bullshit – it just leaves everyone wondering what the fuck to do – and meanwhile another 2 thousands cases erupt and another 176 people die.

It should be known as the Non-United Kingdom, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all making their own decisions around social distancing, face mask use, lifting restrictions, re-opening schools etc – its like 4 separate countries. And once again the Westminster government continue to issue unbalanced, confusing messages and avoid any responsibility whatsoever by not making serious decisions apply to all UK citizens. It’s a joke! It’s like he’s afraid of losing an election – even though there is no election anywhere on the horizon. 

It’s not at all surprising that the UK has the second biggest death toll from Covid. If this government are not held responsible for broken promises and inaction then God help them all.

USA: 1,913,463 (+11,680) and 109,726 (+584). The madness continues following George Floyd’s murder by police – and The Moron does nothing but spread division and confusion. The Covid issue has taken a back page to the riots and mayhem across the states. 

Its times like these that prove that the US really is a failed experiment. Its no surprise that other less developed countries are reluctant to accept democracy when this shit is what you get.

Trip Total 107

Day 86 Friday 5.6.20

A windy, but dry morning and I went to the West Pier for an outing. On the way I stopped off at Booterstown Marsh. Not much going on – approx 15 Black-tailed Godwits were the only waders, but added Common Swift to my site-list-for-this-trip as several hawked low around the carpark.

At the West Pier the sea was empty of life apart from 2 very distant Northern Gannets and a similar Common Guillemot. A half a dozen Common Terns fished along the wall and 4 Sand Martins above the wall, but apart from that it was same, same, no different.

I grabbed a good coffee from Two Bean, took a welcome phone call in the harbour car park, then headed along to the East Pier. Just stopped briefly at the base but there was nothing happening there either. Further along I pulled in just before Sandycove and was rewarded with two (first winter?) Mediterranean Gulls performing well over the edge of the rocks.

Mediterranean Gull - First winter?

I eventually drove to Bullock Harbour and scanned through the 50 or so Gulls there, finding nothing different, and on to Dalkey to check out Mr H’s parent’s old place and Mr C’s house – still there, looking much the same as it always did, with weeds growing out of the roof.

On along Vico Rd, where all the parking is blocked off, and eventually back to the House of Pain.

Covid-19

Australia: 7,251 (+11) and 102 (+0)

Ireland: 25,163 (+21) and 1,670 (+6). 

An increase in the restrictions being lifted on Monday:

You can travel anywhere within your own county, or up to 20 kms – no advantage to me (making it personal).

All shops are to open but not shopping centres or hairdresser/barbers.

Over 70’s can have visitors at home – up to 6 people indoors.

In a week’s time (15^th June) further easing of restrictions (shopping centres etc to open), and on 29^th June you will be able to travel anywhere in Ireland – by which time I’ll be ensconced in a hotel somewhere in Queensland, so again, too late for me. Not that there’s anywhere worth going bird-wise in Ireland between June and mid-August, its probably the worst time of year for birding as regards vagrants or unexpected turn ups. 

By 20^th July everything should be as back to normal as its likely to get, except mass gatherings.

UK: 283,311 (+1,650) and 40,261 (+357) A new target achieved in the good old UK – 40 thousand dead – the second highest single country toll in the world. Or at least those are the official figures....

USA: 1,936,079 (+12,028) and 110,698 (+525) As the country still reels under riots, protests and semi-martial law in some states, The Moron touts the economic recovery – and the cases and deaths continue to escalate. Its easy to see what drives the American people and its not care for the sick or the dying. Mind you, in a country that virtually condones mass shootings I guess it’s not a big surprise.

LATE NOTE: Just found out that Knock Lake, north of Dublin city, south of Balbriggan is, in fact, in County Dublin. I was sure it was in Co Meath (the border is about 5 kms further north). For the past few weeks there have been both a Purple Heron and a Little Bittern seen there. Both birds would be Irish ticks, so I'll be heading over there (54 kms one way) early next week. It also means Rogerstown and Swords estuaries are in Co Dublin, as they are both south of the lake, so they'll be worth a visit too. At last something to look forward to bird-wise! 

Keep your fingers crossed for me that the two heron-types don't fuck off over the weekend......

Trip Total: 107

Day 87 Saturday 6.6.20

Did nothing, went nowhere. A very windy, wet, dull day and I chose to stay in bed late and indoors.

My sister called in after lunch with a couple of buckets of paint left over from a job she has been helping Tony with - and a plan for me (or maybe us) to paint the kitchen and potentially the dining room. Oh Joy.

Covid-19

Worldwide: 400 thousand deaths.

Australia: 7,255 (+4) and 102 (+0)

Ireland: 25,183 (+20) and 1,678 (+8)

UK: 284,868 (+1,557) and 40,465 (+204)

USA: 1,976,933 (+11,225) and 111,723 (+333)

Trip Total: 107

Day 88 Sunday 7.6.20

Once again, didn’t go anywhere or do any birding.

Covid-19

Australia: 7,260 (+5) and 102 (+0)

Ireland: 25,201 (+18) and 1,679 (+1)

UK: 286,194 (+1,326) and 40,542 (+77)

USA: 1,999,728 (+11,184) and 112,315 (+219)

Trip Total: 107

Day 89 Monday 8.6.20

I hit the road early – 6.15 – and headed north on the M50 to Knock Lake, near Balbriggan, approx 54 kms. With the easing of the lockdown restrictions I was, at last, able to travel - within Co Dublin - and I was chasing an Irish tick (Purple Heron) and a lifer (Little Bittern). Both birds, as I mentioned earlier had been seen regularly over the past three or four weeks.

I arrived at the entrance to the laneway down to the two small lakes owned by a local angler’s club and found parking in a nearby GAA club car park – along with three other birders who had also just arrived.

I linked up with a couple and we walked down the road, climbed the locked, ‘No Entry’ gate and down the laneway to the ponds. 

The guy asked where was I from?

Australia, I told him.

What? He said, ‘just for this?’

I clarified my smartass answer and we got on pretty well for the next 4 hours while we stood staring across the smaller of the two ponds. We had mutual birding friends and he had been, briefly, in Australia for work and birded Hokkaido so we chatted about birds and travel, as you do. At one point the secretary of the club appeared and told us we were on private land. We explained why we were there and he said he wouldn’t make a fuss but if the members arrived and wanted us gone – we’d have to go. We agreed and thanked him and, as it happened, the members didn’t object and we were free to stay. Typically Irish really. 

Knock Lake, Co Dublin

I’d love to tell you we had a successful morning, but, cutting to the chase, we didn’t see either bird. Four hours later I decided enough was enough and headed home. 

My shit twitch record continues unaffected……

We did have a couple of Common Buzzards and I did add Sedge Warbler to my trip total, but other than that it was just a pleasant morning chatting to Des (O’Higgins) and some of the other 8 birders who turned up with hope in their eyes on this, Covid affected, socially distanced, Irish Twitch.

We did also have a Yellow-bellied Slider Trachemys scripta scripta, an invasive species in Ireland, closely related to the Red-eared Slider of USA fame and a lifer of sorts…. and I did see my first Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta of the season – the first one I’ve seen in Ireland in years.

Back home I cleared the kitchen, washed down the walls and completed the first coat by 21.00.

Covid-19

Australia: 7,265 (+5) and 102 (+0)

Ireland: 25,207 (+6) and 1,683 (+4)

UK: 287,399 (+1,205) and 40,597 (+55)

USA: 2,023,846 (+16,397) and 113,005 (+536)

Trip Total: 108

Day 90 Tuesday 9.6.20

Another day, another paintbrush. Didn’t go anywhere or do any birding. Started painting the second coat on the wall at 8, and finished, after 3 doors as well, at 18.00 Didn’t really stop for anything except to feed herself and get the occasional coffee.

Good news of a sort was a lack of any reports regarding either of yesterday’s target species.

Covid-19 

Australia: 7,267 (+2) and 102 (+0)

Ireland: 25,215 (+8) and 1,691 (+8)

UK: 289,140 (+1,741) and 40,883 (+286)

USA: 2,034,482 (+7,989) and 113,568 (+513)

Trip Total: 108

Day 91 Wednesday 10.6.20

The day I was originally supposed to fly home. 

I didn’t go anywhere or do any birding. I painted for the morning, finishing the kitchen, replaced everything exactly where it had been, re-hung curtains (I hate curtains), shopped for basics in the afternoon and my sister turned up, so we did an on-line shop for Herself.

Covid-19

Australia: 7,276 (+9) and 102 (+0)

Ireland: 25,231 (+16) and 1,695 (+4)

UK: 290,143 (+1,003) and 41,128 (+245)

USA: 2,055,801 (+10,252) and 114,644 (+496)

Trip Total: 108

Day 92 Thursday 11.6.20

 

I took a day off painting and drove to Howth, across the East Link toll bridge (E1.40 = $Aus 2.25) each way. The wind was horrific – blow the contacts out of your eye, the tobacco out of your cigarette, the lens out of your bins – and nearly blew me off the top of the pier wall.

Howth

(North) Bull Island

There was bugger all to see apart from the Gulls been blown around or seeking shelter below the harbour wall, 10 Sandwich Terns flew by in a flock and one Black Guillemot in the harbour. At least 5 Grey Seals loafed around the inner harbour – always a reliable site for Seals. 

I got a coffee and headed back the way I had come, along the sea front, stopping off briefly at Bull Island, but not actually getting out of the car. Heaps of Common Shelducks, but apart from that nothing of note. 

Bull Island, or North Bull Island as its also known, although why 'North' as there's nothing 'South' is, of course a well known wader and duck reserve with huge numbers of visiting birds in winter. In summer it's pretty dead, but a Eurasian Spoonbill was reported there the other day - I didn't see it. 

The island is a sand island - a miniature Fraser Island, or a very big sandbank dependent on your point of view - it's sand dunes covered in marram grass; a huge expanse of mud and muddy channels on the land side and a flat tidal beach on the 'outside'.

It has been host to numerous vagrants over the years Its a difficult place to work as there are no 'central' roads - just two access points and then you walk. There are two golf courses in the middle of the island which are inaccessible, but don't really affect birding or species in general, I don't think.

 

Covid-19

 

Australia: 7,285 (+9) and 102 (+0)

 

Ireland: 25,238 (+7) and 1,703 (+8)

 

UK: 291,409 (+1,266) and 41,279 (+151) Boris and his mates are just so full of shit – its comparable with The Moron for total crap and inefficiency. They keep promising ‘world beating’ technology, tracing and testing. All the people want is something that freaking WORKS, Boris – it doesn’t have to be world beating! And more cases continue to mount and people die when most other countries are getting some sort of control over the virus.

 

USA: 2,076,694 (+10,293) and 115,547 (+417). What can one say? The numbers continue to rise while The Moron announces that they have ‘beaten the virus to ashes’ or similar words. Another crapmeister.

 Its amazing that these people think they are worthy to hold elected office.

 

Trip total: 108

Day 93 Friday 12.6.20

 

More painting – started the dining room. Lorraine and Aisling showed up at 11 and, while Lorraine helped me paint, Aisling cleared and cleaned the kitchen cupboards. First coat on the walls and the wallpaper stayed up. My sister cut my hair as well – and did a good job.

 

Covid-19

 

Australia: 7,290 (+5) and 102 (+0)

 

Ireland: 25,250 (+12) and 1,705 (+2)

 

UK: 292,950 (+1,541) and 41,481 (+202)

 

USA: 2,101,149 (+11,448) and 116,397 (+363)

 

Trip Total: 108

Day 94 Saturday 13.6.20
 
Another exciting day, paintbrush in hand. No birding.
 
Covid-19
 
Australia: 7,302 (+12) and 102 (+0)
 
Ireland: 25,295 (+45) and 1,705 (+?) There were 5 deaths today as per media – not sure what’s happening with the official update. Apparently the 45 new cases recorded today actually happened over the past three days so the real number of new cases today was 24.
 
UK: 294,375 (+1,425) and 41,662 (+181) The airlines – Ryanair, British Air ect - are talking about taking the UK government to court to stop the 14 day isolation thing. I don’t know why they’re worried, who would fly to the UK at the moment anyway?
 
USA: 2,130,445 (+13,523) and 117,164 (+339) 
 

Brazil now jumps to the second place in the list with the second highest death rate in the world – 41,952 - and, by far, the second largest number of cases at 831,064. Their own Moron, Bolsonaro, claims its just another flu……. Why is it dickheads like this don’t get the virus?

 

Trip total: 108

 

 Day 95 Sunday 14.6.20

 

No birding, just painting and replacing furniture and stuff in the dining room. 

I can finally hang up my paintbrush.

5 sleeps left.

 

Covid-19

 

Australia: 7,320 (+18) and 102 (+0)

 

Ireland: 25,303 (+8) and 1,706 (+1)

 

UK: 295,889 (+1,514) and 41,698 (+36)

 

USA: 2,151,730 (+9,506) and 117,649 (+122)

 

Trip Total: 108

Day 96 Monday 15.6.20

 

A lovely morning – after several days of rain and wind – sun shining, no wind, bright blue skies.

I went to Cabinteely Park early – well, around 7 – and wandered around for 2 hours. Basically just to get out after 3 days inside, the birds were pretty average, nothing spectacular or earth-shaking. I did, finally, add Barn Swallow to my site list and saw a single Common Swift and had a trip tick butterfly – Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina that I took 58 photos of - which shows how little I had to do…..

Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina

My final trip list for Cabinteely Park

Cabinteely Park, Cabinteely
1	Little Grebe
2	Grey Heron
3	Northern Mallard
4	Eurasian Sparrowhawk
5	Common Buzzard
6	Common Moorhen
7	Lesser Bkack-backed Gull
8	European Herring Gull
9	Common Wood Pigeon
10	Stock Dove
11	Common Swift
12	Barn Swallow
13	Grey Wagtail
14	Pied Wagtail
15	Eurasian Wren
16	Dunnock
17	Eurasian Blackcap
18	Willow Warbler
19	Common Chiffchaff
20	Goldcrest
21	European Robin
22	Common Blackbird
23	Song Thrush
24	Mistle Thrush
25	Long-tailed Tit
26	Coal Tit
27	Eurasian Blue Tit
28	Great Tit
29	Common Chaffinch
30	European Greenfinch
31	European Goldfinch
32	Eurasian Bullfinch
33	House Sparrow
34	Common Starling
35	Eurasian Jay
36	Eurasian Magpie
37	Western Jackdaw
38	Rook
39	Hooded Crow
40	Grey Squirrel
41	Speckled Wood

4 sleeps left

 

Covid-19

 

Worldwide: 8 million cases and over 437 deaths to date.

 

Australia: 7,335 (+15) and 102 (+0)

 

Ireland: 25,321 (+18) and 1,706 (+0)

 

UK: 296,857 (+968) and 41,736 (+38)

 

USA: 2,174,327 (+12,099) and 118,121 (+263)

 

Brazil: 873,963 (+6081) and 43,485 (+96)

 

Trip Total: 108

Day 97 Tuesday 16.6.20

 

I went to Irishtown, just to get out and be in a position to take a phone call. On the way I stopped off briefly at Booterstown Marsh but there was very little happening there apart from six yellow-footed Little Egrets. It was a misty, spitting, grey morning and the birds reacted accordingly. I did add Long-tailed Tit to my site list at Irishtown, but didn't walk out the South Wall. Other than that the best part was a nice cup of coffee from Browne’s in Sandymount – and the long awaited phone call.

My final trip list for Irishtown Nature Park & South Wall.

Irishtown NR & South Wall, Sandymount
1	Northern Gannet
2	Great Cormorant
3	Little Egret
4	Grey Heron
5	Brent Goose
6	Common Shelduck
7	Northern Mallard
8	Ruddy Turnstone
9	Dunlin
10	Black-headed Gull
11	European Herring Gull
12	Great Black-backed Gull
13	Black-legged Kittiwake
14	Common Tern
15	Common Guillemot
16	Black Guillemot
17	Common Wood Pigeon
18	Eurasian Collared Dove
19	Barn Swallow
20	Common House Martin
21	Meadow Pipit
22	Pied Wagtail
23	Eurasian Wren
24	Dunnock
25	Eurasian Blackcap
26	Common Whitethroat
27	European Robin
28	Common Blackbird
29	Song Thrush
30	Long-tailed Tit
31	Eurasian Blue Tit
32	Common Reed Bunting
33	Common Chaffinch
34	European Greenfinch
35	European Goldfinch
36	Common Linnet
37	House Sparrow
38	Common Starling
39	Eurasian Magpie
40	Western Jackdaw
41	Hooded Crow
42	Common Blue
43	Green-viened White
44	Speckled Wood

My final trip list for Booterstown Marsh:

Booterstown Marsh, Booterstown
1	Little Egret
2	Grey Heron
3	Common Shelduck
4	Northern Mallard
5	European Teal
6	Common Moorhen
7	Dunlin
8	Red Knot
9	Sanderling
10	Common Redshank
11	Common Greenshank
12	Black-tailed Godwit
13	Eurasian Curlew
14	Whimbrel
15	European Herring Gull
16	Common Wood Pigeon
17	Barn Swallow
18	Common House Martin
19	Pied Wagtail
20	Eurasian Wren
21	Dunnock
22	European Robin
23	Common Blackbird
24	European Greenfinch
25	Common Starling
26	Eurasian Magpie
27	Hooded Crow

Back home, I re-hung curtains and polished brass……

3 sleeps left.

 

Covid-19

 

Australia: 7,347 (+12) and 102 (+0)

 

Ireland: 25,334 (+13) and 1,709 (+3)

 

UK: 298,136 (+1,279) and 41,969 (+233)

 

USA: 2,199,876 (+16,926) and 118,924 (+641)

 

Brazil: 904,734 (+13,178) and 44,657 (+539)

 

2,006 people died in India last night – and they had another 11,122 new cases.

 

Trip Total: 108

Day 98 Wednesday 17.6.20

 

Spent the morning watching the washing machine go round and round and then the drier go round and round.................... it was a wet, dull morning and I didn’t go anywhere or do any birding.

2 sleeps left.

 

Covid-19

 

Australia: 7,370 (+23) and 102 (+0)

 

Ireland: 25,341 (+7) and 1,710 (+1)

 

UK: 299,251 (+1,115) and 42,153 (+184)

 

USA: 2,225,597 (+17,197) and 119,769 (+637)

 

Brazil: 934,769 (+5,935) and 45,585 (+129)

 

Trip Total: 108

Day 99 Thursday 18.6.20

 

Another grey, dreary morning. Mum and I headed down to Blainroe, Co Wicklow to my sister’s place as pre-arranged. I left Mum there and headed back up the coast to the ECNR at Newcastle.

By then the misty fog along the coast had thickened and visibility off the coast was very limited. I wandered around the reserve, unable to access the hides which were all closed due to the virus thing and ended up walking back via the railway and back up the road to the car.

The birds were very quiet – the weather discouraging and it was very late in the morning/early afternoon anyway. With the hides closed it was impossible to see into the wetland part so no duck, along the coast I had hoped for maybe Manxies or Little Terns off shore - but the viz was only about 500 meters and the only birds I saw were 1 Great Cormorant and 2 very distant Auk sp, most likely Common Guillemots, and, on the beach, a single Ruddy Turnstone. 

I did have a male Eurasian Blackcap singing as I walked back along the road (trip site tick) and got a little bit lucky with a Great Spotted Woodpecker perched on one of the feeders in the reserve seen from the road – a trip tick to make my final total 109. I also had a single Sedge Warbler in the reeds and several Common Linnets and Eurasian Stonechats along the railway track.

I met up with Tony for coffee in Kilcoole, then we headed back to Lorraine’s for a late lunch before heading home in drizzling rain.

 

Last sleep.

 

Covid-19

 

Worldwide – 8 and a half million cases, 450 thousand deaths.

 

Australia: 7,391 (+21) and 102 (+0). The Queensland government announced today that any travellers landing from July 1^st who have not booked their tickets before midnight 17^th June would be charged the cost of the hotel they were forced to stay in. 

Pathetic. 

YOU make the rules – YOU pay for it. If saving money is the option (it’s ALWAYS about the money), then send people home to isolate and check on them - with serious penalties if they don’t stay at home. I doubt anyone has flown overseas to have a holiday since the virus was declared a global pandemic, so, anyone left overseas who wants to come home would have gone, unaware there was going to be a problem getting back. The attitude seems to be – you’ve had plenty of time to get home. Not necessarily. 

It leads me to believe once again that Australia has been incredibly lucky escaping the worst of the virus. With the focus so much on money, and not people’s welfare or concern for the their citizens, if the virus had got a decent hold the death rate would have been enormous. 

The ruling doesn’t affect me, but I would still argue its wrong, wrong, wrong, totally inappropriate. 

I wonder what happens if you refuse to pay it? Put you in jail? For what? Two weeks? 

Take me away now.

 

Ireland: 25,355 (+14) and 1,714 (+4) 

 

UK: 300,469 (+1,218) and 42,288 (+135) Still one thousand new cases a day as they reach 300 thousand – unbelievable.

 

USA: 2,247,456 (+12,985) and 120,256 (+315) – totally believable.

 

Brazil approaches 1 million cases and almost 50 thousand dead. 

Russia reaches and exceeds half a million cases but only 7 and a half thousand dead – supposedly. 

China claims a second surge but only 28 new cases overnight to add to their existing 83 thousand. 

New Zealand goes into meltdown after 3 arrivals are diagnosed with the virus and 2 of them were released from isolation early on compassionate grounds.

 

Trip Total: 109

Day 100 Friday 19.6.20

 

Day 100. 

Time to fly home.

Already more or less packed, just finished off, laundered my bedclothes, waited for Lorraine and was at the airport just after 11.

Mum

Very quickly checked in to my Qatar flight – no waiting, in fact, the check-in staff were waiting for me. Through security in seconds, facemask in place as required. Social distanced seats in the departure lounge – but there were so few people it didn’t matter. Even the urinals in the men’s toilet were SD’d – use this one, don’t use that one….

On board around 13.00. 

All cabin crew in full PPE – really weird – white suits, from top of head to toe, facemasks, gloves. Very sort of ‘ominous’ – but all friendly. 

Most of the occupied seats were along the windows. I had three seats to myself – SD - and most of the centre area was completely empty, I mean completely empty. In what I could see there were three people in one row, obviously travelling together, other than that, in about 15 rows – nobody. In front of me, one female in the window seat and the same behind me.

Food and drinks were quick to be served, as you could imagine. The facemasks made it difficult to communicate. I asked for a red wine and then for water – and got a second glass of wine. I managed to then get water as well – and drank the two glasses of wine anyway…

The meal choice I barely understood – apart from the word ‘beef’ and chose that. 

The entertainment was pretty average – I resorted to Netflix stuff downloaded the previous night onto my iPad. 

Is it me or……..??? Entertainment on international flights seems to get worse every year, no matter who you fly with. Maybe it’s just me. It’s all just crap really and no movies of any interest. I used to look forward to a good movie on a flight, but now there never seems to be anything worth watching.

 

Doha – we left the plane quickly due to the low numbers and transited the airport quickly as well – it was almost deserted. I managed to get a smoke, in a packed non-social-distanced glass box full of people grabbing a quick fag, then sat in the departure lounge for a short period before boarding the next flight. Another three seats to myself with a window seat. Everyone lying down sleeping – except the wanker in front of me who insisted on pushing his seat back to watch movies. 

A long boring, sleep-filled flight even though I wanted to stay awake, there was nothing to watch on the in-flight entertainment and I read, dozed, watched Netflix downloads and generally just sat it out.

Then the over-the-top bullshit started.

We exited the plane and immediately were asked to fill in paperwork concerning who we were, where we’d come from and that we ‘accepted’ the 14 day mandatory isolation at the government’s expense. I was assigned to Rydge’s hotel in Southbank in Brisbane, which I took as a positive.

We queued to get through immigration, surrounded by airport/federal police, then we were interrogated at a desk by local police re the details on the form. 

We collected our baggage and then queued while a bio-security dog sniffed over our bags. Several people were pulled out and their bags searched – I was cleared to go and told to sit in an area to wait for a bus. 

Half an hour later we walked through a cordoned off walkway in the public arrivals area, there were military standing on either side watching us? WTF? Did they think we were going to run away? Then onto a bus and we sat for half an hour, for no apparent reason, before driving into the city and the hotel. 

We sat again for ages until finally another policeman took paperwork from three rows at a time and they checked us in. When my turn came I collected my bags, got a trolley and was escorted in to the hotel by another cop, collecting a paper bag on the way with a packaged salad, an apple, a chocolate bar and a bottle of water for my ‘dinner’.  I asked the cop if it was always this disorganised and he laughed and said ‘you wouldn’t think we’d been doing this for three months, would you?’ Three hours from plane to room…..

On the bus we had been asked if we were smokers, so I ended up with a balcony, which was great, in a relatively small self-contained room. Very comfortable I must admit, but still, for 14 days? My view was OK – I could see the Brisbane ‘wheel’, the state government building, the Captain Cook Bridge and so on. Not too bad, all things considered.

It seems to be so different here. 

In Dublin people take precautions, but just get on with it. We have to? Life has to return to normal – people have to work, society has to carry on, social life has to recover, people have to travel. 

The paranoia and fear that seems to pervade here is just so out of control, it’s verging on the ridiculous, I think. I feel guilty for coming home. I feel ‘dirty’ for even being overseas. I feel like a threat to the Australian community. Its so demeaning, so …….weird to be treated like some sort of parasite. The police and military ‘watching us’ seemed poised to bust our ass if we so much as looked the wrong way. It reminded me of the old videos you see of the Jews being herded into concentration camps in Germany in the war years. They were relatively friendly – well, the local police were – but all geared up with weapons and tasers and stab proof jackets it all seemed so over the fucking top. It certainly wasn’t the welcoming image I would have thought the Australian government should have been offering it’s OWN CITIZENS returning from much more serious situations overseas. I feel like a criminal.

 

100 days. I am ending my trip report here. Now facing 14 days in a hotel room, I don’t see much point in continuing to update my diary when there is nothing likely to happen. I’ll finish with the latest Covid-19 update, as has been my habit.

Last photo - brown bag breakfast at Rydge's.

 

Covid-19

 

Worldwide: 8 million, 900 thousand cases and 466 thousand deaths.

 

Australia: 7,436 (+27) and 102 (+0). Another spike in Victoria reported this morning and further shutdowns become possible. This will only increases the paranoia and fear.

 

Ireland: 25,734 (+6) and 1,715 (+1).

 

UK: 303,110 (+1,295) and 42,589 (+128) – still fucked.

 

USA: 2,328,690 (+31,500) and 121,953 (+546). Another 31 thousand cases? And The Moron is having a rally today? Jesus Christ!! You can only shake your head and wonder.

 

Brazil: 1,067,579 (+29,011) and 49,976 (+886) another head shake.

 

Final Trip Total: 109

27.6.20             

Mandatory Isolation in the Covid Hotel

"Welcome to the Hotel California Coronavirus"

I had decided not to continue my trip report once I reached Brisbane and the trip 'ended'. However, having been in mandatory isolation now for 7 days - and facing a further 6 days before I'm 'free'- I thought it might be interesting to some of you to know what its like 'Inside the Covid hotel'.

It could be worse. 

"and I was thinking to myself

this could be heaven or this could be hell"

I have a balcony - 5 meters by 2 meters, I measured it - to sit and smoke on and view the passing world. It overlooks Grey st, the city, part of the river, and, distantly, the Captain Cook Bridge where I can watch the traffic grind to a halt morning and evening - obviously nothing has changed.

I have a kettle and a small fridge - no microwave. The shower is excellent and I am well supplied with towels, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and body wash. My room is my domain. No one else enters for any reason - and similarly, I can't leave it for any reason. I can, if I choose, call reception and ask for a police escort to walk in the courtyard below - but I haven't bothered so far, as I can't see any point.

"Last thing I remember
I was running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
"Relax", said the night police man
"We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave"

Fresh bed linen was delivered yesterday and I made my bed and dumped the dirty laundry outside the door to be collected. Rubbish goes the same way and I got a couple of t-shirts & undies cleaned the other day - at government expense. They came back on hangers - I'm sure my t-shirts were as amused by that as I was, they've never seen a hanger before.

"Mirrors on the ceiling
The pink champagne on ice
And he said, "We You are all just prisoners here of our own device" on best medical advice!!"

I have a large flat screen TV with all the free-to-air channels which provides for continuous news coverage (SBS especially) and company - just having it on in the background. Its pretty shit in the evenings.

Meals are delivered in the brown paper bags shown previously, three times a day and, I have to say, the food has been pretty good. Breakfast is, as above, and a bit average, but lunches and dinners are usually warm food, well cooked, varied and interesting. 

You get to look forward to a meal being delivered, awaiting the knock on the door to advise it's outside, then waiting a couple of minutes, as requested, before bringing it inside and seeing what 'you've got today'. There's always a bottle of water and, in the evenings, a quality cake in a seperate container - I usually keep that for morning tea the next day.

I try to do some exercise each morning before breakfast - jogging on the spot, stretches, push ups, crunches and use the 'elastic band' thing I got from Aldi before I went away. Its not that I am a frantic exerciser - as all of you would know, I avoid exercise in the main - but feel I should do something to maintain some level of fitness and, believe you me, its easy to spend all day and night just lying on the bed getting fatter and uglier by the minute.

The first day here I organised for my daughter, Jade, to bring me in the portable external hard drive off my desktop Mac. This contains all my birding records, photos and other data and I have spent the week sorting through my 28,000 photos standardising their labels and re-filing them in a more logical manner. Its something I've been meaning to do for ages and I can't think of a better time.

I also got her to bring me in my old birding notebooks from 1975-6 and have spent time building spreadsheets and updating that data. Its been an interesting journey (I hate that term, but it kinda fits here) and brought back a lot of memories of birding trips, incidents and adventures I had with Mr H, Mr M and Mr C when we were all in our late teens and early twenties. Its probably a relatively futile effort, but its kept me busy and given me an interest to while away the isolation hours. Surprisingly I actually remembered some of the actual days, things that happened, people we met, birds we saw. I must be getting old.

I have my E-reader and some back copies of Time magazine to read - but you can only read so much. I've started watching Cardinal on SBS on Demand, but again, you can only watch so much on a laptop - well I can anyway. I've had phone calls from Mr H, Mr P, Mr D, Mr B, family and friends and have probably talked their ears off when they've been game to call. You get sort of desperate for human contact and don't want it to end too quickly, cause its all you've got.

Fighting jet lag, some mornings I've been awake at 3am and going out on the balcony I could be the only person left in the hotel for all I know. There's minimal sound in the corridor, no one in the courtyard downstairs, few people on the streets - Grey st has been remarkably quiet this past week - and it is a very isolated feeling. Luckily I've spent a lot of time alone over the last 4 years of retirement and i'm sort of happy in my own company, but still, its challenging at times.

I've had phone calls from Hotel reception checking I'm OK and is there anything I need? They couldn't actually supply what I REALLY wanted.....but we laughed about it anyway.

The Health services have rung twice as well - checking my medical needs, mental health and did I have any symptoms? ("So far as I know - no", I said) 

The Red Cross have rung me 4 times for a 'chat' - ensuring I'm not going bat-shit crazy, I guess, although I did jokingly suggest I would tie my bed sheets together and climb down from my fourth floor balcony for a swim in the pool below. I don't think they thought it was as funny as I did. I was joking! It's too cold to swim.

Its a bit slow sometimes. Especially when some days I was awake from 2 or 3am to 10pm - its a fucking long day when you can't go anywhere. Trying not to 'nod off' during daylight hours was a struggle I lost at times, but last night I slept from 10pm to 5am so I think I'm over the worst of it.

So I called up the Captain
"Please bring me my wine"
He said, "We haven't had that spirit here since 1969"

I had Jade bring me in coffee, sugar and my favourite Aldi long-life low-fat milk - and I'm working my way through that hour by hour. She also brought in whiskey, but I've only resorted to that a couple of times for a couple of drinks. Chocolate and biscuits similarly - minimal consumption. 

Luckily, too, I'm well used to talking to my other half so we have some great conversations that cover all subjects and rarely disagree. I'm half expecting them to deliver two meals instead of just one, cause if they overhear me they'll think I've smuggled someone in - won't they? Yes they will, you dickhead.

I did ask if I would be tested - for the virus, not insanity - and they said No not unless I displayed symptoms. However, I've seen in the news that they are going to test everyone returning from overseas now - bring it on! Test me now and let me go!

I also heard that "100s of people" in NSW are refusing to be tested. WTF? What is WRONG with these people? I mean really?? Put them on a plane back to where they came from, for God's sake! This is a major issue. Most, if not all, infections in Australia came from overseas - as they did everywhere except China - and they are still coming in. We need to stop it at the border. 

I've also seen interviews with locals in Victoria who refuse to get tested. What is WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?

Covid-19

Worldwide - it'll be 10 million cases in the next day or two and quickly approaching half a million dead. Mind you in terms of the world population, half a million is nothing, a drop in the bucket, a very shallow speed bump. Even if all 10 million died it wouldn't have much impact, but it's still a bit of a concern.

Australia: 7,641 (+46) and 104 (+1 since my last update). The spike in Victoria has prompted alarms all over the country and affected interstate and even New Zealand travel plans. The sooner they get it under control the better for all. I reckon they should just lock down the affected areas for two weeks and allow no one out until they've tested everyone.

Ireland: 25,414 and 1,730 (+15 in a week). Strangely enough the number of cases is about 300 less than last week - I'm not sure why, but maybe they re-visited some of the reports?

UK: 309,360 (6,000+ new cases in a week) and 43,414 (just under 1,000 deaths in 7 days) - and the country insists on opening up? Watch that space, cause I reckon its going to go through the roof in the next few weeks while Boris The Dick is still sending out mixed and vague messages. FORGET IT, BORIS, THEY'RE NOT LISTENING TO YOU and most appear to not give a shit anyway.

USA: 2,553,068 (+224,378 new cases in 7 days) and 127,640 (+5,687 deaths) A hopeless case with several states breaking records every day. Ban them all from travelling anywhere - its the only way - and leave them to get on with it themselves. Just remember this in November, America.

It looks like Antartica will definitely not happen this year. 

1. I don't want to go to South America and risk getting the virus in an area that hasn't peaked yet and 

2. I can't think of anything worse than being on a cruise in the Antarctic and having some bastard on board with the virus. 

Next year will be fine - and Mr H will probably come then too.

"Welcome to the Hotel California Caronavirus
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
They livin' it up at the Hotel California Caronavirus
What a nice surprise 
Bring your alibis"

So back to the bed and semi-boredom for the next 6 days......

(With apologies, acknowledgements and respect to The Eagles)