Historic Wicklow castle and estate hosts bird song walk, with cuckoo call highlight

A free bird song walk was held at Altidore Castle in Kilpedder to celebrate National Biodiversity Week. The 18th century castellated house is owned by descendants of Thomas Addis Emmet and his family. The walk began at 7am and followed the old back avenue across a 200 acre organic and rewilding estate into mature woodland. Participants listened to territorial and mating calls and attempted to identify different bird species. The event was led by Joe Lennon with Thomas and Philip Emmet and ended in new native woodlands. The estate has been organic for over 30 years and supports birds such as robins, woodpeckers, house martins, and buzzards. A barn owl returned after nearly two decades with help from the County Wicklow Barn Owl Project.

"The free bird song walk commenced at 7am and the group were led along the old back avenue of the 200 acre organic and rewilding estate, into the mature woodland. The event was led by Joe Lennonm alongside Thomas and Philip Emmet, and finished at one of the new native woodlands, as the group listened to a variety of birds and made attempts to name the different species as they made territorial and mating calls."

""Having been organic for over 30 years now, the land is the perfect place for many species of birds to nest, from robins and woodpeckers to house martins and buzzards. "We're ecstatic that after almost two decades we recently saw the return of a barn owl to Altidore, thanks to the help of the County Wicklow Barn Owl Project.""

""Bird song can be like an orchestra, and at that time of the morning you can really pick out the different sounds the variety of Irish and visiting birds make. It was a breezy morning, but the cold air allowed for the best sound for the birds.""

""It's fantastic to be able to share the nature and biodiversity of Altidore with the local community and, as a member of Historic Houses of Ireland, Altidore is committed to preserving and sharing the built and natural heritage of these historic family homes. We're really grateful to Joe for leading the walk and for his expert knowledge.""

Read at Irish Independent