Nature boy

A truly ghastly morning, thick fog and torrential downpours but we ventured out to Bantry to see Seán Ronayne, as part of the Literary festival. it was originally meant to be held in an open air amphitheatre but the weather forbade this and we piled into an old church instead. I've talked about him before - a man with the appearance and demeanour of an angel who is passionate about nature, especially birds and he is attempting to record the song of all Irish birds - he has two left that have eluded him - a skua and a duck whose name is momentarily eluding me, but may arrive*.  What is especially interesting is that  few years ago his wife came back from a lecture on autism and said to him - guess what!  He has since been diagnosed as being neurodivergent and for him it as been a massive relief and everything has fallen into place. He is completely passionate, yes obsessed , and knowledgeable about birds and played some of his recordings - who knew a jay could mimic just about anything very convincingly.  He amused us with tales of courting his now wife - on their first date he took her to examine some otter poo - it smells like jasmine with fishy overtones apparently!  He has opened her eyes to nature around us and she has helped him cope with the humans. How lucky they are to have found each other and now have a little daughter who is already very familiar with the dawn chorus. A feel good afternoon and although he mentioned the dire state of so many species, birds included, manage to end up on a positive and hopeful note. 
Sorry the name of the duck hasn't yet arrived, I think it begins with an s but could swear to that. 
* Himself remembered the name - a merganser - no it didn't begin with an s but there is one in there!