IRELAND JAN-FEB 2024 (cont)
Day 13 Thursday 1.2.24
I had planned to go into the city, but the day was calm and by 9.30, the sun was shining. So I changed my plans and instead went for a walk in the two local parks again – Cabinteely and Kilbogget.
Much the same birds as previous of course, but did get a surprise view of a Eurasian Jay. I had seen one bird in this park in a previous year, but in winter, out of breeding season, they are skulking and difficult to find. This one perched up long enough, but not at the best angle…
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| Eurasian Jay |
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| Western Jackdaw |
I picked up a coffee in Foxrock village then on to Kilbogget. Once again my luck was in and I had a Water Rail skulking around the edge of Kingfisher Island – the same location exactly where I had seen one in 2023. There was no evidence of any at the reed bed where they had been also recorded previously.
Both reasonably good birds as neither are particularly easy at any time, regardless of the season.
I noted the small number of Finches in general – European Goldfinch being the commonest, I did see European Greenfinch and Common Chaffinchbut both in very small numbers. So far as Tits were concerned – Long-tailed were in fact the commonest with two feeding flocks totaling 10 birds, followed by Blue Tits (8) and singles for both Coal and Great.
It was nice to have another beautiful Irish winter’s day – even if the birds were a bit slow.
Back home I recorded a Common Starling singing in the back garden - not an opportunity I had had before
I went to visit The Waiting Dead again, of course, then home for the evening.
Birds: 76 Mammals: 4
Day 14 Friday 2.2.24
No birding today – windy & showery. I had the guy arrive at 8 to remove the stairlift. He took an hour and charged me the agreed E250 ($414). All good, job done.
I went into the city as planned. On the Luas, the electric tram, super efficient, trams every 10 minutes or so, 20 minutes into the city, E4.30 ($7.13) return, an easy 10 minute walk from home. Got off as usual at St Stephen’s Green and had a short walk in the green for memories sake. Well, actually, the whole city thing is mainly for memory’s sake. There wasn’t much happening in the bleak winter landscape but 12 Tufted Ducks on the pond was a trip tick. I walked down Grafton st and into Trinity College, then down Westmoreland st to O’Connell Bridge. I walked up the River Liffey to the Halfpenny Bridge and then into Templebar – and thus back to Grafton st. Had a look in a few shops for things to take home for the Boyos but didn’t find anything interesting. After 12 had lunch in Captain America’s, as usual, then got the Luas home again.
Saw a Grey Squirrel in the small estate on the corner which is always a reliable Squirrel spot.
Drove in to Mt Tabor to see The Waiting Dead again.
Birds: 77 Mammals: 4
Day 15 Saturday 3.2.24
A wet morning from overnight rain, but otherwise fairly calm and overcast. I had no plans to go anywhere with a couple of things to do.
I went to visit the Waiting Dead in the morning and then filled up with fuel on the way home. (E1.70.9/l = $2.82Au/l; E63.00 = $104Au). I got home, had a cup of coffee and then headed out at 13.00 for the airport – drop off at 14.00. I felt I was leaving a little early but figured better early than late. As it turned out the M50 was very slow and I got to the car rental at the airport at 13.55.
Handed back the Tucson nightmare without drama and picked up the next car – a VW T-Cross. I had originally had a second Tucson booked for the next three weeks, but had cancelled it as 1. I didn’t like the car and 2. it was a bit big for the narrow Dublin streets, or at least bigger than I needed or felt comfortable with.
I drove home finding to my surprise that Car Play was cordless. First time I have driven a car without having to connect Car Play via a cord. Cool!
The England v Italy match was not broadcast on anything I could watch, but, strangely enough, the Wales v Scotland match was on RTE. Strange in that RTE didn’t broadcast the match last night when Ireland played. The second half was a good game!
Birds: 77 Mammals: 4
Day 16 Sunday 4.2.24
Windy again. A westerly. Not cold, just annoying – otherwise dry. I decided I had to get out and do something. Going anywhere for passerines was a waste of time so chose the ol’ standby – West Pier. The wind was blowing onto the part of the bay visible from the pier and along the back of the wall. It was also low tide so I knew there wouldn’t be a lot to see, but I needed the exercise more than anything else.
And that was what I got. There were white caps across the bay thanks to the aforementioned wind, and the only birds out on the water were 3 Common Guillemots so far away they were almost in a different time zone. I did see one Northern Gannet flying, also distantly, and several small flocks of Brent Geese passed totaling 30 birds – but it may have been the same 15 twice.
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| Brent Goose |
I had a nice Mediterranean 1st winter adult Gull fly-by but didn’t even note any Black-headed Gulls – probably all sheltering on the south side of the East Pier. Total of 11 species and 1 Grey Seal hanging off the fisherman’s wharf in hope.
I headed home, had a coffee and went to visit Herself as usual. Nothing new there!
Birds: 77 Mammals: 4
Day 17 Monday 5.2.24
Dry and windy. I headed for Kilcoole again - more to be out and about that just sitting at home. It was a nice morning in that it was bright and sunny at times, at first the wind was more a breeze but it developed into a strong westerly wind which had most of the birds huddled up with their heads under their wings.
On site at 9.45 and spent two hours walking down and back. Mostly the same birds as previous but I found a Grey Plover in the Narrows – with the tide out there was a bit of muddy sand showing.
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| Grey Plover |
Also got closer to the few Eurasian Curlews on site and took advantage.
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| Eurasian Curlew |
As well as the Grey Plover, I added Little Grebe to the trip list when one flew in and landed in the channel.
Headed on to Newcastle. I decided there was no point in trying for the Short-eared Owls, as with the wind I doubted they’d be flying, so just walked into the ECR and the first hide. I had a Eurasian Sparrowhawk fly across the track in front of me and land up in a tree briefly and later a very skulking female Reed Bunting to add to my trip list. Other than that it was as previous and very passerine-poor.
Went to visit Herself as usual.
Birds: 81 Mammals: 4
Day 18 Tuesday 6.2.24
As predicted it was a wet day, raining all morning until mid afternoon. I had organised to visit my Aunt Audrey and Uncle Derek (my mother’s brother) in the afternoon so went to visit Herself in the morning.
Spent most of the afternoon with my relatives then home.
Birds: 81 Mammals: 4
Day 19 Wednesday 7.2.24
It was predicted to be very cold, frosty and calm, so I didn’t hurry out of bed. I was a bit wary of driving anywhere if there was a chance of ice on the road – must be getting old – but decided at 9.30 to head south to Wexford. The main draw was a report of a Surf Scoter and a several Velvet Scoters at Ballinesker Beach, a location I may have visited several years before, but otherwise totally unfamiliar.
I hit the M50, watching out for patches of ice but soon realised it was unnecessary caution and maintained the 120 k/hr speed limit in limited traffic.
Arrived on site at 11.30, parked in the spacious car park and walked up over the dunes to the long, sandy, open beach. I spotted two other birders sitting up on the top of the dunes to the right, scoping out to sea, and trudged up through the soft sand. They were unknown to me and we never introduced ourselves. They pointed out the flock of at least 300 Common Scoter and assured me that both target species had been seen – before the flock took flight and landed about 1500 meters offshore. I think the lower tide may have had something to do with it, because the birds were just sitting on the water, not feeding and I guessed, waiting for the incoming tide to move closer to shore to eat. I didn’t have the time to wait, several hours, and they were so far away, identifying a Surf Scoter (my main target as an Irish tick), would be impossible at that range so I gave it half an hour and followed Bill and Ben back to the car park.
I decided as it was still earlyish I’d head for Tacumshin so set the sat nav and headed off. I picked up a coffee at Killinick at the turn off then arrived at the overview point at the east end of the water at 12.30. The sun was glaring off the water and it was difficult to make out detail. There were, I would guess, 1,000 Eurasian Golden Plover, a few hundred Northern Lapwing and maybe 50 Dunlin along with 100 Common Redshanks. I really could not distinguish any other waders for distance or light. So didn’t make a huge effort and access beyond my lookout point was not possible due to a lack of wellies or, in fact, motivation! I didn’t see much point in disturbing the birds when it was unlikely I would see anything ‘new’. There were loads of Eurasian Wigeon and Teal, a few Northern Mallard and Shoveler and several Common Shelduck joining the 50+ Mute Swans on the water, but, again, nothing different or outstanding.
I did see several Eurasian Coots and a Western Marsh Harrier to add to my trip list.
I headed on to Lady Island Lake but the inlet beside the ‘Island’ was too flooded for waders, I carried on to finally find the track to Carnsore Pt across the sand dunes. It was pretty pitted, but the holes were shallow, soft edged and full of rainwater and I made it to the Point without drama.
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| (My mother's house is called Craigmore and Google Maps recognises that fact!) |
I didn’t bother walking out the 100 meters to the point itself as there was nothing out to sea apart from a few Northern Gannets soaring aimlessly. On the beach 30+ Ruddy Turnstones and another addition to my trip list – 20+ Sanderling.
I decided enough already and turned for home. 150 kms and 1 hour 45 minutes later I went to visit Herself again as only a good son should do.
Birds: 84 Mammals: 4
Day 20 Thursday 8.2.24
Wet. Wet. Wet. It was raining when I got up and didn’t stop. I went to see Herself and then left Dale Rd at 12.45. The rain was heavy most of the way north but the traffic kept moving and I got to Mr H’s at 15.30 with just a stop for a coffee and a follow up to get rid of it.
We didn’t do much but catch up. I did add one new bird to the trip list – a Eurasian Collared Dove called and flew fleetingly past the dining room window just after I got up.
Birds: 85 Mammals: 4
Day 21 Friday 9.2.24
The day dawned grey and cloudy, cold but not bitter, although the wind was cold enough. We had expected rain, but that didn’t eventuate till after dark so, after Mr H had sorted a couple of things, we headed out.
We thought it would be a good day to check the north east coast. As it turned out the on-shore wind was fierce and waves were breaking over the seawall in many places.
We basically drove from Groomsport to Millisle checking out the flocks of gulls. We didn’t find anything different among the hundreds of Black-headed and Common Gulls, but did have 3 Purple Sandpipers at one spot with Ruddy Turnstones and Common Redshanks dodging the breaking waves. We also had a single Carrion Crow among the Rooks on the beach at Groomsport, but it flew before I could get the camera on it. Carrion Crows are essentially a bird of the UK ‘mainland’ replaced in Ireland by Hooded Crows. Single individuals turn up along the east coast (mainly) but it had been years since I had seen one.
We gave it away and headed back to Mr H’s for a hot soup lunch.
Then out again to check out a couple of ex-reservoir ponds at The Waterworks. We had 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls among the many (again) Black-headed Gulls, Mute Swans and Tufted Ducks.
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| Lesser Black-backed Gull |
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| Tufted Duck |
Another new bird, in fact a lifer for me, was Rose-ringed Parakeet. A recently introduced species in Northern Ireland, a small number hung out near the ponds. Embarrassingly I thought I remembered seeing them on a previous occasion – I hadn’t so didn’t ‘enjoy’ the lifer thing at the time of seeing them. However, they were an introduced species so I didn’t feel it was that big a deal.
We went on to Whitehouse Lagoon and scoped the stuff there. Most of it was pretty close. We had Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, another 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 5 Red Knot which showed very well.
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| Red Knot |
By now the light was really poor so we headed home. All in all (including 3 Eurasian Siskins in Mr H’s garden, I added 6 species to my trip list and, of course 1 Lifer, making it an unexpectedly worthwhile day)
Birds: 91 Lifers: 1 Mammals: 4
Day 22 Saturday 10.2.24
Mr H was scheduled to do a count along one part of one bank of Belfast Lough. We counted Red-throated Divers (15), Common Goldeneye (25), Red-breasted Mergansers (45), Eiders (10 – but see below), Great Crested Grebes (150 – but see below), Ruddy Turnstones (175), Eurasian Oystercatchers (95) etc etc. All nice stuff and an interesting way to see Belfast Lough. It actually was a lovely morning, bright, sunny, calm, but still chill.
When we had finished the count we went to the opposite side to see a reported flock of 2,000 Eiders. About 200 meters offshore it was a terrific sight in the scopes. Among them Mr H picked out 9 Velvet Scoters which was a nice addition to my trip list and the best view I had ever had of the bird, I think the last time I saw Velvet Scoters in Ireland was in the 1970s. The Eiders themselves were just a stunning sight. A number of males in various stages of plumage but the majority in full breeding plumage.
Further along a raft of Great Crested Grebes was about 400 strong and among them we found 2 Slavonian Grebes – a not uncommon bird in these waters in winter.
During the day we also had 1 Grey Seal, 1 Common Seal and 1 Grey Squirrel.
Birds: 97 Lifers: 1 Mammals: 5
Day 23 Sunday 11.2.24
We left home at 9 and headed west. We were aiming for Co Donegal but stopped off to bird along the way.
Our first stop was close to Portmore Lough and a field with a single ‘cow’ in it. It was actually a bullock, as Mr H pointed out, but more importantly than its sexual status was the Western Cattle Egret that accompanied it. An Irish tick for me. Cattle Egrets are considered an almost rarity in Ireland, although they are turning up much more regularly, they are still a notable species and their presence reported and their location visited. We met another birder on site eagerly unloading his scope. The fact that there was only one bovine in the field is explained by the fact that at this time of year most cattle are kept indoors - in the barn, not the living room, that habit died out a few years ago….
We moved on to Portmore Lagoon where I ticked another addition to my Irish list – Great White Egret, or as we know it in Australia – Great Egret. These too are ‘almost rarities’ in Ireland. In this case there were 4 birds and we later saw a fifth at Lough Neagh. It was kinda funny to hear the local birders discussing the Egret as being ‘so huge and white’ when it is a common species and worthy of no further comment at home.
From the hide there were approx 20 Common Pochard on the far side of the lagoon and 8 Eurasian Tree Sparrows near the car park to add two more species to my trip list.
Moving on again we went to the shores of Lough Neagh in search of a reported Smew. We found a female but failed to locate the male. Good scope view as it swam in very shallow water close to the bank. Also had a few Common Goldeneye and a number of Tufted Duck there, while a couple of flocks of Fieldfares flew overhead.
Spent 37.92 Pounds on fuel @ 1.37 Pounds/l. ($73Au @ $2.64/l)
It was time to head to Donegal and we arrived on the shores of Donegal Bay at about 14.30.
Mountcharles always delivers some good stuff and even though it was (very) low tide, it stood up to its reputation. Scoping the channel we had 12 Great Northern Divers – a couple provided really good views – and 4 Red-throated, we also had reasonably good views of several of the 8 Long-tailed Duckswe found. These are a really beautiful duck, and one of my favourites, unfortunately these were too far away to photograph.
We headed off to our bed for the night – a house in the hills privately owned by friends of Mr H where we had stayed before. It’s a beautiful house in a beautiful location high in the hills overlooking a lake in a valley. Last time we stayed there it had snowed overnight and it was a bit hairy driving out, but according to the weather reports we didn’t expect a repeat experience this time.
Trip List: Birds: 106 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 2 Mammals: 5
Day 24 Monday 12.2.24
The day looked good – bright, dry and patches of sunshine. We started on the shore of Donegal Bay at Mountcharles again but the wind on the north shore was pretty horrendous so we decided to drive around to the south shore hoping for some sheltered bays.
We spent the rest of the day moving from place to place, stopping to scan the windswept, white-capped sea finding numerous Great Northern Divers, flocks of Common Scoter and a few other lesser numbers of similar type birds – for example, Red-throated Divers and Black Guillemots and on the beaches Sanderling, Common Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Along the cliffs at one point we had one of my favourite birds – Northern Fulmar.
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| Mr H scanning a typical bay from a small harbour wall, Co Sligo |
Rain showers increased in number and intensity through the early afternoon, but we persisted and reaching Lisadell, north of Sligo town started searching the fields for Geese.
We found two large flocks of Barnacle Geese (~800 in total) and searched through them for possible rarities.
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| Typical flock of Barnacle Geese close to the road |
At one point we found 3 Barnacle and 1 Canada Goose in a field very close to the road. We spent sometime talking ourselves into, and then out of, it being a Cackling Goose. Size-wise it was right, but the white cheeks just didn’t match well enough and its head was a pretty typical Canada Goose shape.
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| Barnacle and Canada Goose |
At 14.30 we gave it away and headed back into Donegal to pick up some coal and wood for the fire and a few bits and pieces of food.
Later note: We reviewed our decision and based on the birds size, individuality, bill size and the fact that it appeared to be accepted by birders who know better such as Killian M, we changed our identification to Cackling Goose.
Trip List: Birds: 109 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 25 Tuesday 13.2.24
The best day weather-wise so far. Clear, calm, dry…..and cold! The sun shone, it didn’t rain and there was only the mildest of breezes.
We headed west to start at Mountcharles again in search of Grebe species or Black-throated Divers, but found only the usual plethora of Great Northern Divers. Brilliant birds though!
We moved on to Killibegs, meeting up with Mr H’s friend John whom I had met originally in Majorca.
Killibegs has a large trawler fleet and fish processing facilities of enormous scope and size. When I had been there before at this time of year there had been hundreds, if not a thousand Gulls hanging around the harbour and surrounds and we picked out several Glaucous and Iceland Gulls among them. This year was different.
The trawler fleet had reached its EEC quota and had, basically, stopped trawling. We searched for flocks of gulls and found approx 100 on roofs of buildings, mostly European Herring Gulls, a few Great Black-backed and Common Gulls. But no ‘white-winged Gulls’. Iceland and Glaucous have been few and far between in Ireland this year anyway. Maybe a mild winter or climate change – who knows, but they haven’t shown up much across the country.
We had a cup of coffee in a local café, then headed further west to Glencolumbkille.
We had a walk on the headland there and saw a few (genuine) Rock Doves and flushed a couple of groups of Eurasian Skylarks. Driving through the village and surrounds we found a flock of 19 Red-billed Choughs.
On to Malin Beg along the spectacular coast. I love the Irish Atlantic coast. The Atlantic Ocean always looks to me like it’s saying ‘Come on, I dare ya’ – threatening and powerful, pounding away at the rocky, resistant coastline, a deep blue colour, always there, always waiting.
We again walked out to the cliff tops at Malin Beg where we had a small number of Black-legged Kittiwakes and Northern Fulmars.
Continued on along the narrow, twisting coast roads to Muckross where we sat for a while and just soaked up the sunshine and the views.
We tried Killibegs again at low tide and scanned Gulls washing in the fresh water but again nothing exciting.
Mr H and I finished up at Mountcharles again and added one very, very, distant Slavonian Grebe to the day’s takings. Again we had numerous Great Northerns, a few Red-throated Divers and Red-breasted Mergansers.
We retired home to have dinner and spend the evening around the coal fire.
Trip List: Birds: 112 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 26 Wednesday 14.2.24
A mild, mild day that started off with a heavy fog hanging in until about 10.30 when it slowly cleared. Remained overcast and misty, with some thin rain, all day. Warmer than recent at 11C, but very poor light and dull damp conditions.
We picked up John as arranged on the main road then headed north through Ballybofey to Blanket Nook, a wader/duck estuary and worked through the residents. (This, incidentally, was where the Black-winged Pratincole was seen the previous year).
Much as seen already although a nice ‘scoped Ruff turned out to be the highlight of the day for me. In a distant field approx 20 Pink-footed Geese were another addition to my trip list, but they were far too far away to be exciting.
We moved on seeing flocks of Grey Lag Geese and Whooper Swans in the water logged fields. Round to a coastal strip where we scoped a flat calm estuary with yet more Great Northern and Red-throated Divers and a quite distant flock of 200 Common Scoter in which, after at least 30 minutes of watching, we saw a single Velvet Scoter sit up and flap its wings, positively confirming its ID with the white wing flashes.
Back to Inch Island and more 'scoping of waders and ducks. Nothing much new, although Mr H did find a single Gadwall asleep on an island late in the day, just before we turned for home.
All in all it was a disappointing day. The ducks and waders didn’t produce anything really new and several ‘normally expected’ species fail to materialize (for ex Common Scaup and Northern Pintail). We assumed the low numbers and variety of duck and lack of white-winged Gulls (see yesterday’s comments) were the result of the mild winter.
We settled in in front of the coal fire for another quiet evening.
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 27 Thursday 15.2.24
Another very mild day, but it rained more or less all day. We packed up, cleaned the house and hit the road to Belfast at 10.00.
Arrived Mr H’s place at 12.30, had some soup and I headed south to Dublin at 13.15, arriving Dale Rd at 15.45.
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 28 Friday 16.2.24
Another non-birding day, although the weather was very mild, sunny outbreaks, no wind. I went to the local GAA club in Stillorgan and treated myself to a ‘full Irish’ breakfast – egg, bacon, white and black pudding, hash brown, white toast and coffee. I substituted the advertised and ‘normal’ sausages for a second egg as I have never been a fan of sausages at breakfast.
On to Stillorgan Shopping Centre and I picked up a Belgian Chocolate Fudge cake for the Big Birthday, then on to Aldi for flowers and a few groceries.
In the afternoon I went to visit Herself as usual and that was about it for the day.
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 29 Saturday 17.2.24
Birthday Day. It was a bit windier than the previous day with a thin rain in the wind. However, I wanted to get out for a walk so went to Cabinteely and then Kilbogget Parks for two easy birding walks.
In Cabinteely I added Eurasian Siskin and Eurasian Bullfinch to my site list for this trip and at Kilbogget got the Common Kingfisher and added the Bullfinch to that list for this trip too.
Nothing riveting or exciting or new for the trip.
I arrived at the nursing home at 14.00 and for the first time since I had been visiting Mum, she was in the activities room along with a dozen or so other residents. Just after I got there a dude turned up and started playing 1940s tunes on a banjo and singing old time songs. I asked Mum if she wanted to get outta there but she said she had to stay, I think she thought it was all being done on her behalf. So I sat with her for the best part of an hour, researching Ecuadorian birds on my phone while the ‘artist’ plucked away on his instrument and some of the old dears, that were still awake, ‘sang along – although singing is a generous analysis of their performance. But anyway, I guess when I’m in my 90s+ I won’t be able to ‘sing along’ too effectively with Eric Clapton or Bono or The Sex Pistols…..
She finally agreed to leave at 3 and I wheeled her to the room booked for her party. As we got there, my Aunts Audrey and Thelma and Uncle Derek and cousin Jacqueline (one of Thelma’s daughters) showed up, followed soon after by Lorraine and her dog Roo.
We had the cake and tea and coffee and fresh scones made by the chef/baker on site. Mum got flowers, presents and cards and appeared to enjoy the afternoon, although she couldn’t hear half of what went on or see much beyond the edge of the table….. but anyway, for a 98th birthday party it was a hoot, a real knees up Mother Brown type of thing – Taylor Swift eat yourself out.
We left her to her dinner at 17.00 and Lorraine and I returned to Dale Rd, picked up Karin and went to a local pub for a pint and a catch-up. All of which went very well.
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 30 Sunday 18.2.24
A very pleasant day – and more in keeping with what I had expected from previous visits at this time of year, bright, slight breeze, sunny most of the time. However, being a Sunday I knew everywhere would be busy and the traffic chaos so opted to stay in until it was time to visit her Herself again.
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 31 Monday 19.2.24
It was a reasonable day, dry and windy, but I got up with minimal enthusiasm. I finally decided to head into the city and try to find take home stuff for the Boyos.
I wandered around several gift shops, all with similar stock and eventually picked up thick warm hoodies for each of them and green ‘Ireland’ beanies. I had brought so much stuff home from Ireland over the many visits I found myself struggling to find anything ‘new’ or different. At least this time there wouldn’t be any musical instruments to drive Ant up the wall! Hopefully a colder winter in Brisbane will give the Boyos a chance to wear this stuff.
I was home by lunch time and went to visit Herself as usual.
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 32 Tuesday 20.2.24
I wanted to get out and about again and it was a reasonably nice day – bright spells, no rain – but when I got down to Kilcoole there was a brutal southerly blowing up the beach.
Walked to the Narrows but saw nothing new. The same (?) big female Peregrine Falcon was being chased by Hooded Crows and turned and slashed at one (so cool!), before perching in approximately the same place on the ground as the first day I saw her. Other than that, just a noted decrease in numbers of Eurasian Teal and Curlew, but appeared to be more Eurasian Wigeon. No idea why. Similar numbers of Whooper Swans and Grey Lag Geese presumably, but they were all feeding in distant fields so difficult to confirm numbers. A flock of exactly 160 Black-tailed Godwits were perched up sleeping on the shore in The Narrows and I took some photos of a group including one bird transitioning to summer plumage.
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| Black-tailed Godwit |
Walking back to the car the wind was behind me and I almost overheated – it was that kind of day.
Drove to Newcastle and checked out the first hide only. Nothing much going on there either, but a single Eurasian Siskin on the feeder was a new bird for the site for this trip – anal, right?
I drove to the end of the road and had a quick look for the Short-eared Owl, but no sign.
Headed home and then round to Auntie Audrey and Uncle Derek’s again. They had said on Saturday they ‘wanted to talk to me about something’. I had no idea what, but turned out they had decided to give me my grandfather’s stamp collection. Derek had had it for about the last 50 years and wanted to pass it on to someone who would keep it in the family. I assured them I would, but now had to figure out how to get the contents of 6 albums home…..
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 33 Wednesday 21.2.24
I spent most of the day destroying stamp albums and putting the stamps into envelopes for the journey to Australia. There were thousands of them – stamps that is, not envelopes. I could see I would have months of work ahead to incorporate this collection into mine…
Picked up some sweets for the kids in Stillorgan Shopping Centre and queued for a coffee in the Mackers there. I waited 20 minutes and orders that were 20 in the queue beyond mine were being served so I quit and walked away. I hadn’t paid anyway.
I visited Herself again, then it was back to tearing up stamp albums….
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 34 Thursday 22.2.24
I visited Mum in the morning so she could call an old friend, Mary. Then spent the rest of the afternoon doing more stamp stuff. Once I’d finished I packed my bag completely, including the stamps, to check the weight increase and it seemed OK @ 22 kgs, my allowance was 30kgs.
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 35 Friday 23.2.24
A nice morning – sunny and bright, but a brutal northwesterly howled down the West Pier. It was, as they say in Belfast, “Baltic”.
It was very quiet, no Divers, Grebes, Scoters or Mergs, just a handful of Common Guillemots, 2 Black Guillemots and a small assortment of Gulls.
After the walk back against the wind I drove to Bullock Harbour, Dalkey, Coliemore Harbour and Vico Rd where I stopped for a smoke. A male Peregrine Falcon slid by at eye level before turning and having a frustrated slash at a couple of Hooded Crows. I had thought about Shanganagh River mouth, but from Vico Rd I could see there were no Gulls apparent so didn’t bother and was home by midday.
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| View south from Vico Rd - not the best as the light wasn't great, but.... (Bray Hd and the Sugarloaf) |
I went to visit The Living Dead again, as usual.
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 36 Saturday 24.2.24
It was a beautiful day, calm, clear, warm (in the sunshine) and bitter in the shade. The kind of weather I had been hoping to have…… but I’d made other, non-birding, plans.
Went to the local GAA club for a full Irish breakfast and the Irish Times, then on to see Herself in the Home. Filled up with fuel 51 Euro @ 1.75E/l = $84.68Au @ $2.91/l.
Got home at 12.30 and at 13.15 waked down the road to the local pub, O’Dwyers, and spent the afternoon drinking Guinness (mostly Guinness Zero or I wouldn’t have walked home) and watched the 6 Nations matches live, Ireland v Wales and Scotland v England. Both my preferences – and the pub’s – won; Ireland beating Wales decisively and Scotland over England after a scrappy game.
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 37 Sunday 25.2.24
Trial packed my bag - very close to max weight of 23 kgs.... mmmmmmm
Went to visit Herself, but she was still in bed so came home again, picking up a Mackers coffee on the way and hung out.
Went in again for 14.00 and Lorraine came in shortly afterwards. Spent some time there then went home and cooked dinner for Karin and I as I owed her a dinner.
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals:5
Day 38 Monday 26.2.24
Got up at 5.30 and worked on removing stamps from pages to reduce the weight as much as possible. Re-packed my bag - still very, very close to 23 kgs.
Went to visit Herself in The Home for the last time, this trip anyway.
Topped up with fuel - 10 euros @ 1.75E/l = $16.60 @ $2.91Au/l
Trip List: Birds: 115 Lifers: 1 New birds for country: 3 Mammals: 5
Day 39 Tuesday 27.2.24, Day 40 Wednesday 28.2.24 & Day 41 Thursday 29.2.24
Got up at 4. I did get some sleep although, as always with an un-missable early morning start, it was sporadic. Cleaned up the room then left for the airport at 4.30. Cold, clear morning - thankfully no snow this time!
Got to the car rental drop-off at 5, just as they opened. Checked the car back in no issues despite the intense scrutiny – I’ve never seen rental cars checked as closely as Europcar does. They especially looked at the wheel rims, it must be something that happened often. Probably because in and around Dublin one has to park very close to the curb, otherwise other cars won’t get past and possibly foreign drivers aren’t used to it, especially if they normally drive on the right. I had been especially careful of my parking.
Checked in and despite my misgivings, apprehension and worry, the bag went through at 23.7 kgs without question. My carry-on backpack weighed in at 7 kgs, which was OK, and they didn’t weigh my laptop bag.
The biggest issue was the dude couldn’t or wouldn’t change my seat. I had an aisle seat on the side in a 3/3/3 configuration for the first leg, which was OK, but a shitty two seats in from the edge in the middle seat for the longest leg in a 3/4/3 combo, wasn't. He told me that any available seats were ‘chargeable’ @ 70 euro. I said ‘No’ and asked what had changed with Etihad, as I wasn’t able to pick seats at my on-line check-in? He said it depended on the original ticket. I had never heard of that before. The ticket cost $2,100, a lot more than at the same time last year ($1,400) so obviously they’ve changed their policies – and I had had no notification of that when I bought the ticket.
I got through security very quickly – the airport was relatively quiet compared to my previous experiences in Dublin - and had a coffee and a smoke.
The flight left on time and arrived in Abu Dhabi about 7.5 hours later. The aisle seat was OK. Went through the airport and got off on the second leg without drama, although it took a long time to get to my seat as some dickhead was in the wrong seat on the wrong side of the plane and delayed everything.
I managed to get some sleep, surprisingly, in the middle row, taking 2 sleep aid tablets and probably snoozing for 5 or 6 hours of the 12 hour 40 minute flight to Melbourne.
We arrived on time and I picked up some duty free alcohol and tobacco and got through customs and passport control with no hassle whatsoever. The walk to Terminal 4 took 5 minutes and my flight to Brisbane with Jetstar. Fucking Jetstar.
It was only a bag drop setup but I checked in manually and the Jetstar representative (very nice and helpful) queried my two carry-on bag weight. I ‘argued’ I was transferring from an international flight and the bags had been allowed without question. She agreed with that and said I’d be OK. Apparently they’ve been weighing bags at the gate but she believed I would get through OK.
Needless to say the flight, scheduled for 22.05, was delayed for at least 30 minutes. I wasn't surprised, this was after all Jetstar and their reputation is shit.
Oh Jetstar - its just GREAT to be back in the hands of a third world country airline……
On board at 22.50, 40+ minutes late. Then, surprise, surprise, a first ever for me, the attendant advised me I had $15 credit and would I like something to eat? I asked where the credit had come from and it appeared it had possibly been attached to my account by the representative who had helped me check in? As usual on these flights no food and drinks are offered unless paid for. I chose a cheese and ham toastie and a cup of coffee - and felt guilty eating, surrounded by passengers who had nothing., but it did perk me up and stop me falling asleep.
We landed at midnight and I collected my check-in baggage and, another first for me, paid $4 for a trolley. In the domestic terminal trolleys are not free. I didn’t fancy carrying my 23kg backpack, my 7kg carry-on backpack, my (probably) 7 kg laptop bag and 2 bottles of duty-free alcohol on my back.
I headed out of the almost deserted terminal and had a smoke before going back in to the toilet and then out to the rideshare meeting point. There was a plan in my head. I wanted to let any ‘rush’ for Ubers go before booking my own. Even then, despite my delaying tactics, the quoted price was $100 for my journey so I sat it out until I was the only one left at the rideshare spot then booked an Uber for $61. The end price was $58 (total) as I asked him not to use the toll tunnels – and gave him a $5 tip after the ride. I arrived home at 01.15. Game over.
