Edmund Joyce is a drystock farmer from Co Carlow and is one of our 2018 Farming For Nature nominees. He runs a herd of suckler cows and a flock of ewes on his 125-acre holding. Since taking over the farm in 2007 Edmund has planted over 6,000 native trees. Red squirrels are a regular sight on his farm, and all 15 bird boxes that Edmund erected have been fully occupied, with a pair of great spotted woodpeckers taking residence this year. Both Soprano Pipistrelle bats and Brown Long Eared bats are present, while a number of barn owls may be seen in the wild meadow area or nesting in the nearby trees. The native apple orchard planted about 7 years ago is providing an abundance of fruit whilst the cottage garden has been planted with flowers and shrubs as specific havens for bees, butterflies and hedgehogs. Edmund chooses planting to compliment the setting but also to provide a succession of plants from early spring right through to winter for nectar feeding insects. Water voles occupy a watercourse which runs the length of the farm whilst the dry-stone granite walls that subdivide the farm have provided ideal cover for other small mammals including stoats and pine martens. Watch a 5-minute video filmed with Edmund on his land below.
