Home...the story so far

I guess it is about time I updated my blog. I have been back in Ireland now for about 5 weeks. A lot has happened, both strange, good, and surreal. How to address such happenings would probably take up an entire tome of such grand designs that people, that is you reader, would fall into a deep slumber after about 5 minutes. So instead, I will paraphrase and summarize the happenings and take on a rambling style again after this post. Those of you expecting a dazzling post of Irish birding will be both disappointed and lighting fireworks in celebration, depending on your predilections.

Being home has been both strange and wonderful. It has been wonderful to see and be with my family, seeing my sister and beautiful niece in Sardegna, and going out birding some old haunts along both the east and west Cork coasts. In the midst of such goings on, I found an apartment in Dublin in lieu of beginning my new job there, buying a car to keep me sane and not pissing my Dad off in requesting the car for my own use, and sorting out all sorts of other shite (personal internet connections, car insurance, car tax, savings schemes, pensions, investments etc.). Of course, the move to Dublin was something of a strange feeling.

My visit to Sardegna was brilliant. I hadn't seen my sister for 3 years. That is a long time without seeing someone whom I love deeply and care for so much, and would do anything for at the drop of a hat. She looked amazing and was so calm in herself which made me happy. She has found happiness in the birth of her amazing daughter and the support of her fantastic partner (who is one helluva of a chef too by the way...one way to garner my favors). I was blown away by Elia. She is my blood, my family, and my goddaughter. Now, it's not that I am broody in anyway (anyone looking for a sperm donor, no problem, but maybe that's about as far as I'd go for now), it was just wonderful to watch her gazing around (when she wasn't sleeping, yawning, and concentrating on getting that liquid waste out) at the world about her. Brilliant, simply brilliant.

Now, the birding has been average. Dipping on several birds, too hungover to go for others, but I did find a Night Heron on the "local patch", which was nice, and bumped into a Tawny pipit while dipping on a Little Bittern in Waterford. Although some similar low listers in Ireland (you know who you are) remain dubious at best at my claim, one must always remember that I can identify Golden Plover at 10 miles distance... It was great to see some old places like Ballycotton, Clonakilty, Long Strand, Knockadoon Head, the North Channel, and the like. However, as the weather was predominantly shite (grey, wet, and windy) photos were noticeable by their absence. Birding for 2 hours in Sardegna was good though...

The move to Dublin has been okay. The new job is going ok so far. A nice office to myself which is weird considering I worked in an open plan office for the last 3 years. More on that later as I feel I have rambled...after all, the intrigue will make you check back here soon :)

Carmo's Diet: This week, I have mostly been eating rocket lettuce, beetroot, salmon, and pumpkin seeds

Carmo's Birds: Cattle Egret, Night Heron, Tawny Pipit, Common Swift, House Martin, Willow Warbler

Carmo's Birds for Byrdy: Clémence Poésy