Roundwood House offers nature lovers the perfect location this spring for a spot of wildlife watching.
It is situated in the middle of 18 acres of native woodland that is teeming with local flora and fauna.
The House is also within easy reach of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, which are home to an expansive nature reserve full of trees and flowers, not to mention numerous majestic birds of prey.
How to go wildlife watching
There are so many different options for wildlife fans to immerse themselves in nature at Roundwood House this spring and summer.
From woodland walks around the local area to birdwatching in the mountains.
There are also plenty of animals and birds waiting to give visitors a warm welcome inside the grounds of Roundwood House.
These include cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hens, ducks and a rooster named Brewster who specialises in providing the last word in early morning alarm calls.
The team can also give recommendations on where to look for flora and fauna.
There are never any guarantees that you will see specific birds or animals, nor that the Irish weather will be in your favour, but your chances will increase if you know where to look.
Pack suitable clothing and shoes and remember to bring your camera, binoculars and wildlife books or website addresses to help you work out what you have seen.
The birds and the bees
Many fascinating avian species call the Slieve Bloom Mountains home.
These include the hen harrier and the red grouse. Both nest on the ground, so it is important to tread carefully and not disturb any nests, especially when there are hatching eggs or young chicks present.
Other birds commonly found in the area are meadow pipits, woodpeckers and skylarks, who fill the air with enchanting birdsong.
Birds of prey are prevalent too, such as kestrels, owls, merlin and peregrine falcon.
Insects also abound in the mountains and woodlands around Roundwood House, with many butterflies, bees and moths re-appearing with the warmer spring weather.
You can even hear bats flitting about after dark if you are quiet enough.
Plants and flowers
The diverse habitats around Roundwood House and the wider County Laoise countryside provide for many different species of flowers, plants and trees.
Animal magic
As well as the domestic pets and farm animals pottering around the garden and grounds at Roundwood House, animal lovers can enjoy heading out to see what other native mammals they can find out and about in the woodlands and mountains nearby.
Regular sightings have been recorded of hedgehogs, badgers, red foxes, red squirrels, hares and pine martens.
Good times for spotting these often shy and nervous animals are early mornings and later evenings.
Go quietly and keep your eyes peeled and ears pricked for tracks, signs of half-eaten food and rustling in the undergrowth.
Another benefit to setting the alarm clock early and getting up and out before or at sunrise is the chance to listen to the dawn chorus.
Truly the most tuneful way to herald the start of a new day in the glorious Irish countryside.
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