Mooney Goes Wild: Recent Episodes
RTÉ
Derek Mooney and guests explore the natural world in all its forms. Listen live every Monday at 10pm on RTÉ Radio 1.
Compared to their close cousins, the butterflies, moths have something of a PR problem. Marc Holderied, Professor of Sensory Biology at the University of Bristol, is here to refresh their image.
Niall Hatch joins us from the town of Mandelieu-La Napoule in southern France where he finds the European Bee-eater. Niall picked up their distinctive jaunty flight calls as they flew overhead, and tonight he tells us more about them.
Many people don’t like snails, possibly because of the way they move or the slime they leave behind...but not Co. Monaghan-based farmer Kieran Corley, who rears them. Our roving reporter, Terry Flanagan, recently paid a visit to Drumlin country to find out more about these amazing creatures.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins while Niall Hatch reports from the town of Mandelieu-La Napoule in southern France seeking out the European Bee-eater; Marc Holderied, Professor of Sensory Biology at the University of Bristol, tells us about moths; and Terry Flanagan visits the farm of Kieran Morley's where he rears snails.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch to discuss a rare orchid that has been rediscovered in Galway, Wings magazine, and Terry's Nature News.
Each week, Terry Flanagan brings us specially selected stories about the natural world. Tonight's topics: Good news for Irish Corncrakes; Where have all our butterflies gone?; and Studying the effects of cocaine on sharks!
A joint environmental initiative by Galway County Council and Conservation Volunteers Galway has led to the remarkable discovery of Autumn Lady's Tresses orchids, which haven't been seen in the area for 80 years. Éanna speaks to Rosina Joyce, Biodiversity Officer for Galway County Council, about the rediscovery.
Dog trainer Rory Henberry has recently set up a charity called the K9 Wildlife Project, with the intention of training dogs to send to Africa to assist conservation rangers in combatting poachers. Terry travelled to Mallow, Co. Cork to chat with Rory and local vet Carina Mederle.
Like spiders and scorpions, harvestmen are members of the group of invertebrates known as arachnids. Brian Murray is one of the founders of the microWild project, a native wildflower meadow and invertebrate reserve in Co. Wicklow, and he has managed to discover a species of harvestmen that had never before been recorded in Ireland.
Sea turtles are amongst the most threatened creatures on the planet. A new series of postage stamps issued by the United States Postal Service aims to raise awareness of this issue and one of the photos chosen for the campaign was taken by Irish marine biologist Rowan Byrne.
Recently, Niall received a message from a friend who found a dead kestrel in their garden. Poison, intended for rodents, may well have been the culprit. Éanna is a spokesperson for the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use in Ireland, so who better to fill us in on the rules and regulations around the use of rat poison.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins & Niall Hatch to discuss rodenticide, harvestmen and a leatherback turtle stamp.
Award-winning science journalist Amorina Kingdon speaks to Éanna Ní Lamhna about the hitherto hidden sounds of life beneath the ocean waves and her new book Sing Like Fish.
Dermott Doran, a farmer based in north Co. Kildare, tells our roving reporter Terry Flanagan that around 1,000 young birds have fledged from his wall to date.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan to discuss violets, sand Martins, and the undersea world
Nobody could possibly describe our Éanna Ní Lamhna as being a “shrinking violet”, but nonetheless she delves into the origins of this odd phrase for us in tonight’s programme.
We speak to Kevin Flannery, founder of the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, about this wonderful conservation project, the biology of these rare toads and the importance of ensuring that the highly vulnerable Irish population is saved from extinction.
We dispatched our roving reporter, biologist Terry Flanagan, to “The Bots” to speak with our good friend there, Director Dr. Matthew Jebb, about what the award means to him and his hard-working team and the attractions currently on offer to visitors.
Derek happened to be out strolling in the Ballsbridge area of Dublin when he was surprised to see a Woodpigeon clambering along the top of box hedge.
Richard and Éanna happened to bump into each other recently at Dublin Zoo, which prompted them to chat on tonight’s programme about the zoo’s Meerkat Restaurant, where visitors can eat lunch while Meerkats frolic literally just metres away, outside the window.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan to discuss Meerkats, Pigeons, Natterjack Toads, the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin and much more
Regular Mooney Goes Wild contributor and fisheries expert Dr. Ken Whelan tells us more about the shocking declines in salmon populations, both in Ireland and further afield.
Terry paid a visit to the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin, Co. Dublin and spoke to Dr Matthew Jebb, Director of "The Bots", about some of the more unusual and unique tree specimens with which visitors can get up close and personal.
Our roving reporter, biologist Terry Flanagan, travelled to Fota Wildlife Park in Co. Cork for tonight’s programme. Terry was there to report on the recent birth of three male Asiatic Lion cubs.
We are absolutely delighted to be joined from his home studio Dr. Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin. It gave Derek the perfect opportunity to ask about a curious observation regarding an olive tree growing in a pot in his father’s back yard in Dublin.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Matthew Jebb and Reporter Terry Flanagan. Topics up for discussion include; a weeping olive tree, why are plant species so distinctive and readily identifiable, Asiatic Lion cubs in Fota Wildlife Park and Crab Spiders.
One of our listeners, Bernadette Murphy from Kildavin, Co. Carlow, sent us in this remarkable photo of two crab spiders on an oxeye daisy in her garden. Bernadette talks to Éanna about these chameleon-like creepy-crawlies.
Co-editor of Wings magazine, Cóilín MacLochlainn had a fascinating botanical question for Dr. Matthew Jebb of the National Botanic Gardens, about Why are plant species so distinctive and readily identifiable?
Derek is joined by Eric Dempsey, Niall Hatch, Jim wilson, Allen Farrell and Alan McCarthy. Topics up for discussion include the White Swallow, mystery of the missing Moth, birds regrowing missing feathers and the Peregrine Falcons.
Mooney Goes Wild contributor Jim Wilson speaks to two men who have been monitoring the St. Colman falcons, Allan Farrell of BirdWatch Ireland’s Cork Branch and UCC graduate and BirdWatch Ireland raptor expert, Dr. Alan McCarthy.
Derek bumped into a gentleman called Ken in Dublin’s Herbert Park. He likes to feed the park’s Magpies, and recently noticed that one particularly aggressive individual had attacked one of his or her flock-mates, pulling out all of its tail feathers and wanted to know if these would grow back.
Eric gives us a teaser of what to expect from his documentary on the White Prominent in Co. Kerry and sheds some light on how one of the most enduring mysteries in Irish natural history was finally solved, as well as the appeal to naturalists of moths as a group.
Margaret joins us on the phone from her home in West Cork to tell us all about the White Swallow. Our panellists discuss the reasons behind abnormal feather colouration in birds and get to the bottom of whether or not these Swallows are albino or leucistic individuals.
Zarafa the Giraffe: In 1827, a new craze hit Europe, sparking a media and popular culture frenzy. Her name was Zarafa, and she was the first giraffe ever to set foot on French soil.
In this special one-hour Mooney Goes Wild documentary, we delve into the history of Dürer's Rhinoceros.
We visit locations from the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare to the Westman Islands, off the southwestern coast of Iceland, to explore the beauty and astonishing adaptations of the Puffins, as well as to see how conservationists are trying to turn the tide so that these unique creatures can have a future.
Kicking of out first Series of Summer Docs, we look into the world of the Cuckoo. Produced and Presented by Derek Mooney- first broadcasted, Aug 2018
Eanna chats to Aoife Macgiollacoda, owner of Galtey Honey Farm and Co-founder of The Native Irish Honey Bee Society, to celebrate International Bee Day.
Derek is joined by Eanna Ni Lamhna, Niall Hatch, Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan and Michele Browne. Topics up for discussion include Bees and Insects.
We recieved an email from listener Aileen who was struggling to identify a number of insects coming into her home. We dispatched our Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan who Dr Hugh Feeley from Invertebrates and Insects Ireland to find out more about these insects.
Derek recievd an email from Michael Robinson in Co Dublin, asking why should we preserve Mosquitos, because they spread maleria and Wasps because they have an unpleasant sting. The panel explain the importance of these insects.
Derek and Richard talk to Jim Wilson and Alan Farrell of the Cork Branch of BirdWatch Ireland about the artificial Sand Martin nesting bank constructed at Harper’s Island Wetlands in Co. Cork.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan and Michèle Browne. Topics up for discussion include Bees, Otters, Sand Martins and an exhibition at the National Botanic Gardens.
We dispatched our roving reporter Terry Flanagan to a Bee Identification Workshop at Baltyboys House in Blessington, Co. Wicklow, organised by Brian Murray of microWild, a project to promote and create biodiversity meadows.
Michèle Browne speaks to Joseph Lynch, a guide at the National Botanic Gardens and organiser of Stories from the Gardens exhibition.
Listener Denis Crone got in touch with us recently, asking for our help. He has a goldfish pond in his garden in Saggart, Co Dublin and recently he discovered that all of his fish had been killed by an Otter. We duly dispatched Terry Flanagan to check out the pond and to provide some advice.
Our roving reporter Terry Flanagan travelled to the campus of University College Cork, where he spoke to BirdWatch Ireland’s Dr. Alan McCarthy about a pair of Ravens that are nesting in a pine tree in the university grounds.
Derek is joined by Eric Dempsey, Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna and Michele Browne, with reports by Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch.
On Monday 6th May, in a special collaboration with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), we gave our listeners an unprecedented opportunity to get up close and personal with one of Ireland’s most fascinating yet least well-known birds, the Chough.
Sunday 5th May was International Dawn Chorus Day, and to celebrate this important date in the natural history calendar the Mooney Goes Wild team once again brought listeners across Ireland and the world a live seven-hour celebration of Irish birdsong.
Sam Bayley of NPWS last year, placed satellite tags on 4 adult male as part of the Irish Cuckoo Tracking Project. Sam discusses with Niall how these three Cuckoos got on.
The second episode of the series will be broadcast this coming Sunday 19th May at 18:30 on RTÉ One television. Derek looks at the lengths taken in northern Sweden to control the Raccoon Dog invasion, Rathlin Island's rat problem and the comeback of badgers in The Netherlands.
If you have ever wanted to know more about the appearance of gossamer, whether sea snakes could be encountered in Irish waters, tand much more, be sure to listen!
On a recent stroll along the Grand Canal in Dublin, Derek and Richard spotted a Cormorant. They are famous for holding their open wings out perpendicular to their bodies. It is often claimed that they are "hanging their wings out to dry, but there is also evidence to show that holding their wings out may also aid Cormorants in digesting their food.
Our roving reporter Terry Flanagan paid a visit to a listener called Margaret Nangle, who has a pre-school in Summerhill, Co. Meath. For many years now, the school has had a nestbox with a camera.
Giuliana Furci, Founding Director of the Fungi Foundation, an associate of Harvard University and a National Geographic Explorer speaks to Éanna all about fungi, fascinating and crucially important organisms that are neither plant nor animal.
On Monday 6th May, in a special collaboration with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), we will give RTÉ Radio One listeners an unprecedented opportunity to get up close and personal with one of Ireland’s most fascinating yet least well-known birds, the Chough.
One of our presenters of the Dawn Chorus, naturalist, author and proud Corkonian Jim Wilson, gives us an overview of some of the species he hopes to bring us during the broadcast.
Niall Hatch is not in studio this week; he’s in the village of Fenit on the shores of Tralee Bay in Co. Kerry. He is at the WildMind festival, a celebration of environmentalism, conservation, sustainability and the natural world, he tells us more about the nature-themed festivities.
Researcher Michele Browne paid a visit to the East Coast Nature Reserve, where Eric gave her a sneak peek at some of the key avian singing stars he hopes to showcase on the Dawn Chorus . . . including, with a bit of luck, the skulking Grasshopper Warbler and the handsome Reed Bunting.
International Dawn Chorus Day will take place on Sunday 5th May, and this year the Mooney Goes Wild team will again be bringing it to listeners across Ireland, the world a celebration of Irish birdsong from midnight through to 7:00am on RTÉ Radio One, in a simulcast with RTÉ Lyric FM. We look forward to the biggest radio event in the natural world.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan Niall Hatch Jim Wilson, Eric Dempsey and Michele Browne. Topics up for disucssion, The Dawn Chorus, Wildmind in Kerry, Choughwatch 2024, Fungi and nesting.
THIS PROGRAMME IS A REPEAT... The Magpie is much maligned. Biologist Terry Flanagan debunks some of myths and asks just why we have such strong feelings about this beautiful and intelligent creature.
Margaret Tallot, co author of An Bhumbóg Mór Bhuí dicusses her new book which is all about the Great Yellow Bumblebee.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna Niall Hatch, Michele Browne and Margaret Tallot. Topics up for discussion inclube birds, quiries from listeners, Dawn Chorus and the Great Yellow Bumblebee.
Our researcher Michele Browne brings us a selection of the natural history questions that you have posed to our expert panellists. Including a sick Greenfinch.
As mentioned above, as part of his work for BirdWatch Ireland, our very own Niall Hatch recently gave a talk all about Ireland’s Garden Birds to the members of the Bray Active Retirement Association in Co. Wicklow. We are pleased to bring you a portion of Niall’s talk
Niall tells us about a talk on the topic of Irish Garden Birds that he gave to Bray Active Retirement Association in Co. Wicklow.
Derek and Richard came upon a rather untidy nest, high on an electricity pylon. It was the nest of a pair of Hooded Crows, we learn all about the nesting habits of these widespread and familiar Irish birds.
Richard took a stroll with our roving reporter Terry Flanagan at Broadmeadow Estuary in north Co. Dublin to take a look at a pair of these magnificent creatures.
Derek and the the panel answer your questions about the Robin, The House Martin and the House Sparrow.
Derek spoke to Dr. Roy Anderson, Ireland’s leading authority on terrestrial invertebrates and author of the book Slugs of Britain and Ireland: Identification, Understanding and Control at his home in Belfast. As Roy explains, slugs are remarkable and unusual creatures, especially when it comes to reproduction.
Niall Hatch wasn’t with us for last week’s programme, as he was away on a birdwatching trip to the region of Extremadura in the west of Spain. He tells us it is one of the best birdwatching locations in all of Europe.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins & Niall Hatch,T erry Flanagan, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Michele Browne Dr Roy Anderson and Rob Gandola.
Listener Damian Coman from Tipperary sent us a photo of a small creature that he discovered under a pile of logs in his garden. We sent thes photo to our good friend Rob Gandola of the Irish Herpetological Society, who revealed that it wasn’t a lizard, but rather was a Smooth Newt,
Botanist and BSBI’s Ireland Officer Bridget Keehan speaks to Éanna Ní Lamhna about the results of the New Year Plant Hunt of the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Niall Hatch, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan and Jim Wilson. Topic up for discussion include Blue Tits, hedge cutting, Climate Heroes Challange, birds and human health, birds standing on one leg and a new year plant hunt.
Derek and the panel answer listeners questions about Blue Tits banging their heads against a mirror in the garden and when should you not cut your hedges?
Our reporter Terry Flanagan recently met the CEO of Global Action Plan, Hans Zomer, who explained what the Climate Heroes Challenge entails and how people can become involved.
Aimée Gray is a former researcher with the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and she tells us more about her research into the impact of birds on human health'.
Jim Wilson spoke to Éadaoin and Ciarán Farrell, Pupils St. Peter’s Secondary School in Passage West, Co. Cork on their reseacrh project which was awarded First Place in the Biological & Ecological Sciences – Intermediate Group category in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2024.
Ken gives us an update on his project to monitor Mayflies and on efforts to ensure that their populations can grow and thrive once more at key strongholds, including Lough Carra in Co. Mayo.
We discuss the Great Tit, a colourful, clever and abundant bird, which range across most of Eurasia and which happen to be the most intensively studied birds in the world.
Our roving reporter Terry Flanagan travelled to the Natural History Museum in Dublin to speak to Keeper Paulo Viscardi about the large sturgeon specimen on display in the museum, originally caught in the River Liffey.
Sturgeon are not the only migratory: the also travels long distances between its feeding and spawning waters. A highly celebrated species here in Ireland, sadly it is also an increasingly threatened one. As Ken tells us.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Ken Whelan and Niall Hatch. Topics up for dicussion include Common Frogs, the Great Tit, Sturgeon, Salmon and grummpy Snowdrops.
Our panel discuss the emergence from hibernation of frogs each spring, including the factors that cause them to reappear on different dates in different parts of the country. Given the mild winter we have had, it stands to reason that frogs should be out and about over much of the country in the coming days, if they aren’t already.
Our Researcher Michele Browne paid a visit to the banks of the River Slaney near Tullow in Co. Carlow, where on the 40-acre Altamont Gardens she met with plantsman Robert Miller, who runs the garden centre there and was keen to show Michele some particularly grumpy-faced snowdrops!
Nature On One series on Public Holidays and Mooney Goes Wild have teamed up with BirdWatch Ireland, Ireland's largest wildlife conservation charity, to bring you our inaugural live Garden Birdwatch.
Our panellists also discuss a bird which seems to be visiting garden bird tables and feeders with increasing frequency. The Bullfinch is a beautiful and unobtrusive little bird which especially loves to feed on flowers.
Terry Flanagan visits Co. Wicklow, the Garden County of Ireland, where he meets up with local resident and wildlife expert Rob Gandola, where they discuss an exciting new project called Living Classrooms.
Jim joins us to tell us more about what to expect on the big day and to fill us in on some of the most interesting recent avian observations at his bird table.
Terry Flanagan brings us news of a pair of Blackbirds in his own garden who have already started the construction of their nest, a rather unexpected occurrence in the month of January.
Richard Collins speaks to Josh Davis, Digital News Editor with the Natural History Museum in London about this remarkable discovery, how these extinct giant penguins lived and how they compare to their cousins who still swim in the southern oceans today.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Jim Wilson, Niall Hatch, Josh Davis and Rob Gandola. Topics up for discussion include; giant penguins, Blackbirds, Bullfinch, The Great Big Garden Bird Watch and Living Classrooms.
Jay's key strategy for coping with food shortages due to bad winter weather conditions is to plan ahead. Each autumn, Ireland’s Jays collect and bury vast quantities of acorns.
We revisit three of these Nature Notes with the people who wrote them, all of whom will be very familiar to regular Mooney Goes Wild listeners.
Researcher Michèle Browne travelled to Marymount University Hospital and Hospice in Cork to see an innovative programme where wildlife in is playing a key role in enhancing the well-being of patients, including those in the end-stages of life.
The weather here in Ireland has been pretty turbulent of late, we explore how some species of birds deal with high winds better than others, with those that feed mainly on insects and those that must spend the winter at sea generally finding it hardest.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include birds in stormy weather, Jays, inedble insects, nature notes and wildlife playing a key role in enhancing the well-being of patients
While on holiday on the Canary Island of Lanzarote recently, our RTÉ colleague Brian Lally sent us a very interesting video he filmed of a bird called a Cattle Egret collecting cockroaches. Terry and Niall discuss these fascinating long-necked, long-legged birds.
Tune in to RTÉ Radio One from 15:00 this February Bank Holiday Monday to help us celebrate Ireland’s garden birds and the people who survey and conserve them, and don’t forget to let us know what you see on the day.
Terry brings us an update on this magnificent mustelid, which is still thrilling visitors to the busy city park with its spectacular swimming displays and its "otterly" unusual tameness around humans.
November saw European Hydrogen Week, which gave us the opportunity to speak to Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe about this exciting new fuel option and what it could mean for our planet.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Michael Sheridan, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch
For this New Year's Day, we have a special documentary from our Nature On One series entitled 'The Pigeon'. The programme is presented by Terry Flanagan.
Today's Mooney Goes Wild festive special is about a bird that is intimately associated in Irish tradition with St Stephen’s Day: the tiny Wren. As Niall Hatch tells us on tonight’s programme, these feisty little birds punch well above their weight.
For this Christmas Day, Derek and the team look at the six avian gifts that feature so prominently in the ever-popular festive song 'The Twelve Birds of Christmas', add six more for good measure and examine the origins of the composition and whether it actually qualifies as a carol or not.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Gustavo Zoladz, Terry Flanagan, Cormac Breatnach, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Niall Hatch, Michele Browne, Andrew Byrne and Nick Coughlan. Topics for discussion include the original Christmas bird, an otter in Herbert Park and the Wren.
Nick Coughlan of RTÉ Junior tells us about the latest batch of the Ireland’s Unreal podcast, presented by Hugh Cooney.
Andrew Byrne of BrayVet in Co. Wicklow highlights one gift that you should definitely not give: a pet
Michele Browne has been investigating the issue of roadkill for us, with some staggering and deeply concerning results.
On Christmas Day last year, we broadcast a Mooney Goes Wild special all about the two yuletide plants which feature in one of the most popular Christmas carols. One of the traditional Irish musicians who featured on Vanessa Williams' recording was whistle-player Cormac Breatnach. He talks to Derek Mooney and Éanna Ní Lamhna.
Nature-enthusiast Gustavo Zoladz and Terry Flanagan admire an otter in an unexpected place, Dublin's Herbert Park.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Researcher Michele Browne, Niall Hatch, Terry Flanagan and Richard Collins for this years Chrsitmas Special.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Jim Wilson, Niall Hatch and Neuroscientist Dr Amy Courtney. Topics up for discussion include wildlife on the railways. octopuses, great spotted woodpecker, Harpers Island wetlands and Short-eared owls.
Jim Wilsona and Dr Alan McCarthy, Barn Owl Research Officer with conservation charity BirdWatch Ireland discuss the current influx of Short-eared Owls.
Jim joins us from Harper’s Island itself and fills us in on the wildlife that can currently be found there and how to experience and enjoy it at close quarters.
According to ESB Networks, woodpecker-damaged electricity poles have emerged as an issue in parts of Ireland's, particularly in the southeast of the country.We discuss this novel issue, the ways in which it might be tackled and how Irish authorities can learn lessons about how to cope with woodpeckers from their counterparts in other countries.
A Netflix documentary has been raising awareness of and public interest in one of the most fascinating and mysterious groups in the animal kingdom. Neuroscientist Dr Amy Courtney, originally from Dublin and now working at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England, admits herself that she has become obsessed with octopuses.
Our old friend, UK-based wildlife campaigner, naturalist and author (not to mention founder of International Dawn Chorus Day) Chris Baines happened to be in Malahide, Co. Dublin over the weekend. Derek took the opportunity to catch up with him and to hear first-hand some good news about his acclaimed book RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening.
Éanna recently had the pleasure of speaking to a group of Iarnród Éireann workers about the abundance of wildlife that is to be found along Ireland’s railway network.
Our roving reporter Terry Flanagan recently travelled to Slane, Co. Meath to meet up with Dr Niamh Roche from Bat Conservation Ireland to find out more about the biology of bats and the research she will be conducting over the next few months.
“Birdman” Eric Dempsey chats to Niall Hatch about the Brent Goose, about the life and times of these remarkable birds: where they come from, what they eat, how they behave and how their population is faring.
Éanna Ní Lamhna chats to Derek about the wild garlic that's suddenly appeared in her garden and Richard Collins discusses how the jungle-like state of his garden may be impacting the value of his neighbours’ properties.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Eric Dempsey, Niall Hatch & Reporter Terry Flanagan. Topics up for discussion include Wild Garlic, The Irish Garden Bird Survey, The I rish Staring Murmuration Survey and more.
Louis O’Toole tells us about his newly-published book, 'The Spectacular Fungi of Killarney National Park' and sheds some light on these oft-overlooked organisms.
Regular panellist Niall Hatch joins us to chat about two of BirdWatch Ireland's surveys; The Irish Garden Bird Survey & The Irish Staring Murmuration Survey!
Keen to see his first ever Short-eared Owl, our intrepid roving reporter Terry Flanagan travelled to Newcastle in north-eastern Co. Wicklow. There, he met up with bird expert Eric Dempsey, who had news of not one, not two, not three but four of these amazing avian predators, all within minutes of his house.
Niall Hatch and Herpetologist Gandola were out recording a report about frogs for RTÉ Radio One’s Nature Nights series when the spotted Sika.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan and Niall Hatch. Topics up for discussion include Wild Boars, Short-ear Owls, Waxwigs and Sika's.
This week, regular panellist Niall Hatch joins us from the picturesque town of Mandelieu-La-Napoule in the south-east of France, between the Mediterranean coast and the foothills of the Alps to discuss Wild Boars.
The first Osprey chicks from a new National Parks and Wildlife Service reintroduction programme were released into the wild in August. Derek Mooney charts their progress.
Derek Mooney, Eric Dempsey and Niall Hatch discuss the Wader from Dublin’s Sandymount Strand, one of the most important wader habitats in the country and find out why Ireland is so vital for their survival.
The first Osprey chicks from a new National Parks and Wildlife Service reintroduction programme were released into the wild in August. Derek Mooney charts their progress.
In this Mooney Goes Wild special we look at the fascinating project that is underway to reintroduce Eurasian Beavers in West London.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Niall Hatch, Reporter: Terry Flanagan and Palaeontologist Dr. Tiffany Slater.
This week, we put Ornithologist Niall Hatch in the Mastermind hot seat, as we ask him to tell us about the most recent addition to that list: the Cape May Warbler.
Our Roving Reporter, Biologist Terry Flanagan, recently paid a visit to the "Dead Zoo", where he spoke to Paulo Viscardi, Keeper of the Museum, about the Giant Irish Deer.
Éanna tells us about her new book which includes interesting facts from Rabbits eating their own poo to the creatures that feed on humans.
Palaeontologist Dr. Tiffany Slater, join us to discuss her research into ancient feathers and to shed new light on some of the most astonishingly constructed objects in all of the natural world.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhn, Niall Hatch, Reporter: Terry Flanagan, Katriona McFadden and Johnathan Beck, project leader of Airbus Fello’fly.
Richard tells Derek how he noticed a lone Herring Gull who was engaged in what can only be described as a bout of tap-dancing.
Jonathan Beck is project leader of Airbus Fello’fly. He joins us on tonight’s programme from the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse to tell us more about how wild geese have been the inspiration behind a system that could revolutionise air travel.
Roving Reporter, Biologist Terry Flanagan, was in Dublin’s Natural History Museum. Founded in 1856, it is tucked away in a quaint Victorian building on Merrion Street. erry tells us more about the museum’s amazing insect collections.
We discuss the problem of bed bug infestations and the precautions travellers can take to minimise the risk of bringing home some unwanted souvenirs from their holidays. We also speak to an old friend of the programme, Katriona McFadden, about her own skin-crawling experience with these unpleasant little critters.
One of our loyal listeners, Anne Hally, got in touch with the programme to let us know that, while taking a dip at Ardmore, Co. Waterford on 21st September, she spotted a flock of Brent Geese also swimming in the water. She wanted to know whether this was an exceptionally early sighting of these migrant waterfowl.
To learn more about giraffes and their colouration, we are joined by Declan O’Donovan, Animal Care Manager at Cork’s Fota Wildlife Park. Declan is an expert when it comes to Giraffes.
Catalonia, has long been regarded as one of the finest birdwatching destinations in all of Europe. It’s also a crucial breeding site, wintering habitat and migration stop-over for enormous numbers of birds.
Two years ago, a new species of bee arrived in Ireland. The Ivy Bee was discovered in Co. Wexford. our Roving Reporter, Biologist Terry Flanagan, to speak to Francis about Ivy Bees.
For many years on Mooney Goes Wild we consistently said that there were 99 species of Bee in Ireland. These two new arrivals – the Ivy Bee and the Hairy-footed Flower Bee – have brought the Irish bee total to 101 . . . but can Éanna name them all?
Ireland has one of the lowest levels of tree cover of any European country. As Éanna tells us on tonight’s programme, this is something that SPAR National Tree Day, which this year takes place on Thursday 5th October, aims to tackle.
Our panellists talk about one of their favourite creatures: the Giraffe. As Richard Collins describes for us, the manner in which our planet’s tallest land animals must splay their legs – essentially looking as though they are trying to do the splits – to reach down to quench their thirst is downright bizarre.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Niall Hatch, Reporter Terry Flanagan and Declan O’Donovan, Animal Care Manager at Cork’s Fota Wildlife Park
Derek noticed a large number of winged objects coming in his windows at home, and feared that he might have an infestation of insects on his hands. Derek need not have worried. Éanna’s gift has cleared up the mystery: she brought him some birch seeds.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna & Richard Collins and Daniel C. Able, Co-author, Professor of Marine Science at Coastal Carolina University and ur Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan. Topics up for discussion include birch seeds, air quality, goats and sharks.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published the latest iteration of its annual air quality report and it reveals that, while air quality in Ireland is generally good , there are concerning localised issues which lead to poor air quality.
Daniel C. Abel, Co-author and Professor of Marine Science at Coastal Carolina University spoke to Richard Collins about his new book ' The Lives of Sharks: A Natural History of Shark Life'.
Two years ago, a herd of Old Irish Goats was introduced onto Howth Head by Fingal County Council in an effort to prevent potentially devastating wildfire outbreaks. The goats’ rutting season is now underway, so last week Terry returned to Howth Head to catch up with Sinead Keane of the Old Irish Goat Society.
Éanna spoke to members of the Teagasc team about the value of hedgerows, and particularly native hedgerow plants, to a whole range of wild creatures, including mammals, birds and pollinating insects.
Our Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan spoke with two other members of our judging panel, award-winning natural history photographer Sheena Jolley and Dr Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens, about each of the final ten images. Terry also chats with Nationwide co-presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh.
Derek spoke to all ten of our finalists about their photo techniques, the subjects of their entries and the inspirations they get from the natural world.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Niall Hatch, Ecological Consultant Kendrew Calhoun and Jim Wilson. Topics up for Rathlin Island, Snails in Daffodil heads ,Lapwings, Beluga Whales and the origin of Dogs.
Niall Natch has made a special report for us from the Beluga Whale Sanctuary, where he spoke with Thora Gisladottir and Jack Willians, a representative of the Sea Life Trust about the island’s two very special cetacean residents.
Our Roving Reporter, Terry Flanagan spoke to Keith Earls, a Farmer based in north Co. Kildare about how he with the help of Bird Watch Ireland erected a fence to protect Lapwings in his land from predators.
Mary Sommers from Oilgate, Co. Wexford has snails that are congregating in the heads of daffodils in her garden. We were determined to get to the bottom of the mystery for Mary ans who better to ask than Dr. Aidan O'Hanlon, Curator of Entomology at the National Musuem of Ireland and a former snail and slug researcher.
Evolutionary geneticist Prof. Greger Larson, a Director at the Palaeogenomics & Bio-Archaeology Research Network at the University of Oxford in the UK. speaks to Richard Collins from Oxford about what is being discovered about the Dogs ultimate origins.
Our own Richard Collins is no stranger to Rathlin, and on tonight’s programme he reflects on his recent trip there.
As the garden’s designer Declan Mc Kenna discusses with Derek Mooney on tonight’s programme, the planting scheme includes a colourful palette of low toxicity plants.
Benny tells John Bela Reilly on tonight’s programme, he saw an opportunity to combine art and landscape with a sustainable approach to dairy farming.
Motoring Journalist Michael Sheridan spoke with designer Nicola Haines and Marketing Manager at Citroën Ireland, Trevor Hunt in the Citroën Power of One showgarden.
Designer Darragh Collopy created an Asian-inspired Irish cottage garden aimed at a nature-loving vegetarian with a passion for biodiversity and meditation.
Designer Daibhí MacDomhnaill of Áit Urbanism + Landscape tells us green landscaping is hugely beneficial in urban areas, as it helps to cool the cities, filter pollution and provide drainage. By removing 2 or 3 on-street parking spaces, we can free up room for a parklet on the street.
Niall Hatch spoke with the designer of the Fingal showgarden, Jane McCorkell, about the key elements of her creation.
Designers Liat and Oliver Schurmann spoke to Derek Mooney about their key aim when designing this arresting showgarden; namely, to express how important it is for very young children aged five and below.
Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland’s largest and most spectacular gardening event. Tonight’s edition of Mooney Goes Wild is a celebration of some of the most ambitious, innovative and inspirational exhibitors and gardeners at the festival.
In this Nature on One documentary produced by the Mooney Goes Wild team, Biologist Terry Flanagan dispels the myths and highlights the important roles which bats play in the ecosystem. He also meets the dedicated teams of volunteers that work tirelessly on behalf of these oft-misunderstood creatures.
On 10th and 11th of March 2023, the 8th Irish Ornithological Research Conference was held at UCC, it represented the first opportunity since Covid began for academics, researchers, conservationists and bird enthusiasts to learn about the latest scientific research into birds. Niall Hatch was on hand during the proceedings in Cork.
Éanna’s latest book, entitled Wild Musings, will shortly be published by Beehive, an imprint of Veritas Publications. She tells us what we can expect from her new tome, which is a must-read for anyone with an interest in Irish wildlife.
Roving Reporter, Biologist Terry Flanagan. Terry contacted Wicklow-based, Naturalist and Author Declan Murphy to visit a colleague of Derek's Kim Burrows and see the land that he bought in Kildare, while Declan offered some advice
Botanist Dr. Therese Higgins, a Lecturer in MTU Kerry, speaks to Éanna Ní Lamhna about the potential extinction of one of our native Bluebells.
Éanna discusses her latest book with Derek, are our native Bluebells under threat? we visit land owned by Dereks colleague in Co Wicklow and the Sahnnon Dolphin Project.
IWDG’s Simon Berrow and Mags Daly join us from our studio in Galway to tell us more about the Shannon Dolphin Project which is based out of the Shannon Dolphin Centre in Kilrush, Co. Clare.
In this documentary, Derek Mooney and biologist Terry Flanagan celebrate the blackbird, and its place in the avian world.
Gearing up for the Dawn Chorus, birds named after their songs, introducing Allan Farrell to the Mooney Goes Wild team, bats emerging from hibernation and wildfires in Killarney National Park.
On tonight’s programme, we speak to Eamonn Meskell, Regional Manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Southern Division, about the new measures to protect against wildfires at Kilarney National Park.
Biologist and Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan has a particular fondness for bats. To mark their seasonal reappearance in our skies, for tonight’s programme spoke with Dr. Niamh Roche of Bat Conservation Ireland about these amazing flying mammals.
In a special report for tonight’s programme, Ornithologist and Broadcaster JimWilson introduces us to Naturalist Allan Farrell from, most fittingly, Cuskinny Marsh, who will be a member of Dawn Chorus team this year.
Derek played a clip of a recent interview with Author, Broadcaster and Television Producer Stephen Moss where he discussed some of the key examples we hope to hear during this year’s Dawn Chorus programme, such as the Chiffchaff and the Corncrake.
The panel look ahead at this years The Dawn Chorus, which kicks off on midnight Sunday May 7th.
For our live Dawn Chorus programme on Sunday 7th May, Ornithologist Eric Dempsey will be broadcasting live from BirdWatch Ireland’s East Coast Nature Reserve in Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. Eric gives us a sneak preview of this wonderful bird and its remarkable song.
Derek travelled to Belvoir Forest Park in Belfast to speak to BBC Radio Ulster producer Jimmy Devlin about the Great Spotted Woodpecker. This bird was formerly absent from Ireland, but is now breeding here in increasing numbers.
Drumming up support in Belfast ahead of The Dawn Chorus, Song Thrush setting the scene for The Dawn Chorus, a Tulips display at the National Bontanic Gardens, Glasnevin, celebrating soil biodiversity, Irish Seaweed, Burren in Bloom 2023 and the Ivy Bee.
Between 28th April and 28th May, the annual celebration of biodiversity called Burren in Bloom will be returning to that unique region of Co. Clare. Pranjali Bhave is Communication Coordinator with the charity Burren Beo and joins us from Kinvara in Co. Galway, right on the edge of the Burren, to tell us more about what is being planned.
Prof. Francis Ratnieks works at the Laboratory of Apiculture & Social Insects at the University of Sussex in England. He has been studying the recent appearance of the Ivy Bee in Ireland with great interest, he joins us from his home in Sussex to tell us about this new arrival to our shores.
Naturalist and proud Corkonian Jim Wilson speaks to aquatic biologist Frances Gallagher, about Irish Seaweed.
Our roving Reporter, Terry Flanagan, is a big fan of Tulips, so we sent him to the Tulips display at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin. While there, he spoke to our good friend Dr. Matthew Jebb, the Director of the gardens, about the impressive floral feature.
Niall Hatch was at a soil biodiversity conference in UCD. He speaks with Ronald Vargas of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations about his opening address, which was on the theme "Keep our planet alive – protect soil biodiversity".
Theresa Power, Lead Ranger at Fota Wildlife, spoke about the arival of new Ring Tail Leamers at the park.
Our roving Reporter, Terry Flanagan spoke to listener Damien Martin who is having trouble with feral cats in his garden since his dog passed away a how they a decreasing the pupulation of birds in the garden.
Niall Hatch is France and discuss the early start to French Dawn Chorus and the types of Birds Niall has come across. Our panel also look ahead at The Dawn Chorus which takes place in the early hours of Sunday 7th May.
Dublin’s North Bull Island is home to large numbers of vulnerable birds, mammals, invertebrates and plants, its a popular location for dog-walkers, which poses threats to wild animals and sensitive habitats in some areas. On the 30th of April Dublin City Council will introduce some coverservation measures which our panel discuss.
Due Gorse fires on Howth Head Fingal County Council decided to introduce Irish Goats to feed on Gorse. Our Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan, spoke to council’s goat-herder, Melissa Jeuken, and to Sinead Keane of the Old Irish Goat Society to find out how the animals are getting on.
Protecting our plant and animal life on earth and the measures being introduced, a rare shark found on Wexford shoreline, wild goats helping against gorse fires and exploring the deep sea.
'The Deep Ocean: Life in the Abyss, an epic excursion into Deep Ocean is co- authored by Louise Allcock, Professor of Zoology, University of Galway chats to Fisheries Scientist Ken Whelan about shining a light on the lives of those denizens of the dark depths.
Fisheries Scientist Ken Whelan and Niall Hatch disucss the Citizen Assembly final report on Biodiversity Loss which contains159 agreed recommendations
We speak to Shark Scientist Dr. Jenny Bortoluzzi about the unexpected appearance of a Smalltooth Sand Tiger Shark, along the Wexford shoreline, and discuss just why a species that is usually confined to tropical and temperate waters has suddenly turned up in Ireland.
In March University College Cork hosted the 8th Irish Ornithological Research Conference. Ornithologist Niall Hatch was on hand to capture the atmosphere of The Bird Conference.
Éanna fills us in on how last month’s arboreal festivities went, as well as why we should all head the key messages of National Tree Week and plant some trees of our own.
The Irish Stoat Survey is appealing to the public for help in recording the presence of this special creature across Ireland throughout 2023 and 2024. Ruth Hanniffy, Species Conservation Officer with the Vincent Wildlife Trust, joins us from our Galway studio to tell us more.
Listener Cathal has encountered a large mamal bigger than a Pine Marten while on a walk 5 times since December. Our panel discuss the possability of it being an Otter.
Broadcaster and Televison Producer Stephen Moss discusses his book Ten Birds that Changed the World.
On 10th and 11th of March 2023, the 8th Irish Ornithological Research Conference was held at University College Cork. Niall Hatch was on hand during the proceedings in Cork to make a special documentary all about the event. Called The Bird Conference, it will be broadcast on RTÉ Radio One at 15:00 on Easter Monday, 10th April.
Co. Meath-based farmer Gerald Potterton has a query concerning where Seagulls go to sleep, Derek and Niall disucss where these gulls might go to spend their nights.
Celebrating the sucess of National Tree Week, a mystery animal in a Co Offally bog, Ten Birds that Changed the World, Stoats, a bird confernece and where do Seagulls sleep.
Frog legs are not widely eaten here in Ireland, they are a very popular delicacy across Europe, leading to a collapse in Wild Frog populations. Biologist Dr. Sandra Altherr, a Wildlife Trade Expert, German charity Pro Wildlife, discuss the growing problem and to learn more about the urgent need for the rampant trade in wild frogs to be curtailed.
Spring is the season when birdwatchers are on the lookout for unusual and unexpected species. Our panel discuss how Mid-March this year saw an unprecedented "mini-influx" of a bird called the Alpine Swift.
There are seven species of swan that occur across the globe, three are native to Ireland- Mute Swan, Whooper Swan and the Bewick’s Swan. Richard and Niall discuss these fascinating birds and give us a few pointers on how to identify them.
Whooper Swan populations grow 30 times faster when the birds spend the winter in protected areas. We speak to Ecological Consultant Kendrew Calhoun from one of his study-sites at Malin Head in Co. Donegal about the finding that nature reserves can have a major effect on conservation, even when the areas in question are relatively small.
Our good friend Jim Wilson was preparing for our ever-popular annual Mooney Goes Wild Dawn Chorus programme which will be broadcasted on Sunday 7th May, when he came across a Robin singing at the entrance to Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve.
Dr. Matthew Jebb has strong family connections to Lambay. He tells us more about the plants and animals that call this island, the fifth-largest in the Irish Sea, home.
Dr. Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin, speaks to our panel from the Dublin isle of Lambay about the atlas’ stark revelations, the botanical conservation priorities now required and the particular vulnerability of island flora.
Colette O’Connell, PRO of the Irish Beekeepers’ Association, tells us about the risks that invasive hornets could pose to Honey Bees and other pollinators in Ireland and requests the public’s help in looking out for and reporting these unwelcome insects.
Our roving Reporter, Biologist Terry Flanagan travelled for a special tour of Commercial Tulip Grower, Noel Ruigrok glasshouses.
Join biologist Terry Flanagan of the Mooney Goes Wild team as he delves deep into the world of dandelions and reveals just why there is more to these amazing plants than first meets the eye.
Our Nature on One documentaries kick off on St Patrick's Day at 3pm on RTE Radio One, the Dandelion is presented by Terry Flanagan. It is part of a series of documentaries that will celebrate the different facets of the natural world that form part of the rich tapestry of life.
Mooney Goes Wild panelist Niall Hatch attended the 8th Irish Ornithological Research Conference at UCC and he tells us more about exactly what goes on at such a gathering of bird-researchers.
Naturalist Jim Wilson went to the Cork city’s Christy Ring Bridge to meet with local otter campaigner Chris Moody, a member of the Cork Nature Network and a man with a passion for these captivating aquatic members of the weasel family.
Mooney Goes Wild listener Daniel Hogan, a Dubliner who now resides in Co. Wexford, tells Derek about his his close encounter with a Starling murmuration that he captured from the shores of Lough Ennell in Co. Westmeath.
We speak to Paleoecologist Dr. Karen Bacon of the University of Galway, who studies the ecosystems of the past in order to gather vital clues as to how plants adapt, evolve and go extinct.
Éanna attended the launch of Plant Atlas 2020 at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin. She tells us more about the sobering trends revealed by the atlas and the steps needed to try to reverse the declines of our native plant species.
Roving reporter, Biologist Terry Flanagan, travelled to Co. Cavan to speak to an award-winning forester Justin Good who has planted 80,000 trees on his land near Belturbet, he tells us more about this ambitious scheme and the benefits it is already bringing to the local ecosystem.
Éanna fills us in on what to expect from National Tree Week this year, how to participate in one of the numerous tree-themed events that will be taking place during it and, as always, the importance of this annual celebration of all things arboreal.
We received an email recently from listener Billy Horan, who was walking on Carrauntoohil in Co. Kerry when he came across a new-born kid Goat. Sinéad Keane from the conservation group The Old Irish Goat Society advises us on what to do if you find a baby Goat.
Three students from Loretto Convent Balbriggan, namely, Olivia O’Shea, Abigail O’Brien Murray and Erica O’Brien Murray, have been investigating potential solutions to save our Ash trees from Ash Die Back Disease, a disorder caused by fungus.
The Cuckoos song is generally only heard in Ireland in April but listener Finbarr Healy from Blackwater, Co Wexford, believes they heard the two note song in February and this is the question he poses to our panel this week- did he hear the Cuckoo singing earlier than usual?
Our panel discusses the sexism and the misogynistic assumptions that have led to female birdsong largely being overlooked and disregarded . . . until now.
We speak to Emlyn Cullen, An Taisce’s National Spring Clean Manager, all about An Taisce’s exciting initiative National Spring Clean 2023, Ireland’s largest anti-litter campaign
On tonight’s programme, Áine Bird, a coordinator with the landscape and community charity Burren Beo, speaks to Éanna about a fantastic free heritage programme call Heritage Keepers and how Mooney Goes Wild listeners can get involved.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan. Topics for discussion include: RTÉ Eye on Nature wildlife photo competition, the Red Admiral Butterfly, the Drake Mandarin Duck, European Beavers returning to London, Heritage Keepers Programme and The Barn Owl.
We speak to acclaimed wildlife photographer Sheena Jolley, one of our three Eye on Nature judges, about how to go about capturing a winning image, the key equipment and techniques to use and the unenviable challenges facing the judges, who have to choose just one overall winner out of so many truly exceptional entries.
Dr. Sean McCormack, chair of the Ealing Wildlife Group, tells us about the beaver reintroduction project that will soon begin at the wonderfully named Paradise Fields in the suburb of Greenford, the challenges that the project has had to overcome and how these remarkable animals may even be able to prevent flooding at a local train station.
Our roving reporter Terry Flanagan travelled to the Garden County to speak with Oran O’Sullivan of the Wicklow Barn Owl Group about this important project and what it takes to save this iconic species.
We love to get challenging questions about wildlife, so we were delighted to receive not one but two of them from loyal listener Kevin Masterson concerning the Red Admiral Butterfly and drake Mandarin Duck , we put the questions to our panel.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan. Topics for discussion include: RTÉ Eye on Nature wildlife photo competition, Nature in the pages of the Irish Times, frogspawn, ornithologists flocking to Cork and a 350 million-year-old fossil in Wexford.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: a discussion about ducks, wolves in Norway, Swan killing a cygnet, a crow taking a smoke-break, Friends of Merlin Woods, the battle of the shrews and a look ahead to 'Eye on Nature 2023'.
Derek is joined by Panel: Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Niall Hatch & Terry Flanagan. topics for discussion include: Proof that one Swallow does not a summer make, Spring cleaning your nestboxes, Brawling Blackbird, eggs in a flowerpot, Harper’s Island and Has spring already sprung?
Of the myriad different bird groups that call Ireland home, it could be argued that the ones known as 'waders' are the most interesting of all.
Zarafa the Giraffe: In 1827, a new craze hit Europe, sparking a media and popular culture frenzy. Her name was Zarafa, and she was the first giraffe ever to set foot on French soil.
This is the story of Hope also known as the Wexford Blue Whale which became stranded on Swanton Sandbank at the mouth of Wexford Harbour in 1891.
In this special one-hour Mooney Goes Wild documentary, we delve into the history of Dürer's Rhinoceros.
We have a real treat lined up for you, in the form of a Mooney Goes Wild special all about one of the most beloved and iconic night-time creatures of all: the Barn Owl.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan. Topics for discussion include: Mooney Goes Wild turns 28, Coastwatch Autumn Shore Survey, Robin road rage, restoring Parkowen Park and the Ecolution podcast.
Of the myriad different bird groups that call Ireland home, it could be argued that the ones known as 'waders' are the most interesting of all.
Zarafa the Giraffe: In 1827, a new craze hit Europe, sparking a media and popular culture frenzy. Her name was Zarafa, and she was the first giraffe ever to set foot on French soil
The Holly and the Ivy: Two native Irish plants have long been synonymous with Christmas celebrations.
Join in on the festive fun as Derek and the Mooney team select their favourite Christmas gift ideas.
Derek, Richard and Niall begin by chatting to Sean McKeown, the park’s director, about its origins, its ethos and the captive breeding programmes that form the core of its conservation work.
On tonight’s programme, Niall Hatch talks to Sean McKeown about this work and the important role captive breeding can play when it comes to saving critically endangered species.
Lynda McSweeney, Head of Education at Fota Wildlife Park, tells us more about her team’s formal education programme, which has expanded from a few hundred students in 1995 to a most impressive 19,000 today.
Fota Wildlife Park is playing a key part in boosting Natterjack toad numbers. As part of a joint initiative with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, it has released 6,000 Cork-reared toadlets back into the wild. Fota Wildlife Warden John McLaughlin speaks to our roving reporter Terry Flanagan about this vital conservation project.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan. Celebrating 40 years of Fota Wildlife Park, topics include: Bolstering Ireland’s endangered Corncrake population, the Madagascar Pochard, boosting national Natterjack numbers and Education is an essential aspect of conservation.
In 2012, a new Corncrake conservation programme was set up at Fota Wildlife Park, in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Jess Hodnett is the ranger with responsibility for the Corncrake population at the park, and she joins us on tonight’s programme to tell us more.
Tonight’s programme consists of a special compilation of the segments produced by Derek Mooney that the Mooney Goes Wild team made for Nature Nights, a week-long series of nature-themed segments that were broadcast on RTÉ Radio One between 31st October and 4th November this year.
Sean Condon is an organic dairy farmer from Crecora, Co. Limerick. Sean is also the winner of this year’s Farming for Nature public award, in recognition of his sterling work to conserve and benefit biodiversity during the course of his work as a busy farmer.
Seal pups don’t need any help from us, but human interference can cause them to be orphaned prematurely, meaning they have very little chance for survival. On tonight’s programme, we speak to Melanie Croce of Seal Rescue Ireland.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Science Week 2022, deer in Co. Wicklow, Farming for Nature, leave seal pups alone and the Irish Garden Bird Survey.
The impact of Sika and Sika-hybrid deer has formed much of the focus of recent work carried out by PhD student Adam F Smith. Adam set up 40 cameras in Co. Wicklow, in an effort to gain greater insight into the animal species that occur there.
Niall Hatch tells us about his hopes for this winter’s survey, which experienced a staggering 72% increase in the number of participating households during Covid. He also tells us about some of the key avian winners and losers, and explains why he hopes that more Mooney Goes Wild listeners than ever before will give the survey a go this winter.
Niall Hatch reports for us from Burghausen, on the success and impacts to date of this impressive reintroduction project. There, he speaks to Corinna Esterer, about efforts to bring the Northern Bald Ibis back to its former habitats.
Terry Flanagan visits the botanical gardens in Glasnevin to speak to Dr. Colin Kelleher, who heads up the project, about the rationale behind the seed bank, testing the viability of the seeds being collected and the sheer logistical challenge of storing literally millions of seeds for an indefinite period.
Derek is joined b Richard Collins, Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan. Topics for discussion include: the Irish Garden Bird Survey, the Northern Bald Ibis, a Noah’s Ark for Ireland’s plants as well as Albert and the Whale.
Philip Hoare is Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Southampton and an acclaimed author in his own right. Philip’s latest book, entitled Albert and the Whale, is an exploration and celebration of the lengths to which Dürer went in the pursuit of the wonders of nature. He speaks to Dr. Richard Collins.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan. topics for discussion include: discarded pumpkins, winter-resting, can humans hibernate, Literature and Ireland’s Trees and Pocket forests.
Mooney Goes Wild researcher John Bela Reilly met Catherine Cleary, co-founder of Pocket Forests, a not-for-profit social enterprise, in Dublin City Centre recently to find out more.
Maynooth University’s Department of English has launched a project called Literature and Ireland’s Trees and is looking for your suggestions to build a public archive. Éanna travelled to the university campus to talk to Dr. Stephen O'Neill about this exciting initiative.
Derek is joined by Prof. Vladyslav Vyazovskiy who is a member of Oxford University’s Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute. He also a member of the topical team on torpor and hibernation led by the European Space Agency.
Tonight’s programme includes an update on the outbreak of avian influenza, or bird 'flu, that currently poses a grave threat both to wild birds and domestic poultry. The isolated archipelago of St. Kilda, which comprise the westernmost islands of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides and much much more.
Biologist and roving reporter Terry Flanagan goes in search of this gorgeous bird of prey, long a staple of Irish myths and legends, as well as of RTÉ television each Friday night, thanks to its starring role in the title sequence of The Late Late Show.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Niall Hatch, Richard Collins and Terry Flanagan. Topics for discussion include: Looking forward to Nature Nights, Ireland’s biodiversity emergency, baby Indian Rhinoceros born in Fota, the impact of fireworks on animals and squirrels in our cities.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan. Topics for discussion include: putting gulls on the pill, a white Swallow in Co. Cork, Otherworldly Wonders of Ireland’s Bogs, Deer-rutting season in the Phoenix Park, wild mushrooms and Arthritis in Animals.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan. Topics for discussion include: What Makes a Bird, National Tree Day, To Return to my Trees, the best school science project ever and Hidden forces in the deep.
On tonight’s programme, biologist and roving reporter Terry Flanagan travels to the Bog of Allen to meet Brian O’Loughlin from Rathangan, Co. Kildare. Originally a mushroom farmer, from an early age Brian developed an interest in bog oak.
While out on a walk recently, Derek came across a very unusual and comical sight which he managed to film with his phone. On tonight’s programme, our panel discusses the extraordinary cleverness of crows and how intelligence and play often go hand-in-hand . . . or should that be wing-in-wing?
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: gender bias in biology, what is the Hooded Crow up to, National Tree Day, bog oak sculptures from the Bog of Allen, trees are helping salmon, a wild goose chase and salmon migration.
We received a letter recently from listener Filimín de Chláir regarding the gender assumptions that are sometimes made about animals on the programme. On tonight’s programme, in response to Filimín’s letter, our panellists discuss gender identity and societal assumptions when it comes to animals.
While out on a walk recently, Derek came across a very unusual and comical sight which he managed to film with his phone. On tonight’s programme, our panel discusses the extraordinary cleverness of crows and how intelligence and play often go hand-in-hand . . . or should that be wing-in-wing?
On tonight’s programme, biologist and roving reporter Terry Flanagan travels to the Bog of Allen to meet Brian O’Loughlin from Rathangan, Co. Kildare. Originally a mushroom farmer, from an early age Brian developed an interest in bog oak.
On tonight’s programme, Ken Whelan speaks to us from the wilds of Greenland, the largest island in the world, where he and a team of scientists are tagging wild Atlantic Salmon to learn more about their incredible migration.
Niall Hatch tells us more about Greenland White-fronted Geese and where to find them over the coming weeks, with the sloblands of Wexford being the most important location for them in the whole world.
The planting of trees along the edges of watercourses is one way to help to reverse salmon declines. More trees mean more shade, which in turn means cooler water. Cool water holds more oxygen than warm water, improving the salmons’ breeding success.
We received a letter recently from listener Filimín de Chláir regarding the gender assumptions that are sometimes made about animals on the programme. On tonight’s programme, in response to Filimín’s letter, our panellists discuss gender identity and societal assumptions when it comes to animals.
On tonight’s programme, Ken Whelan speaks to us from the wilds of Greenland, the largest island in the world, where he and a team of scientists are tagging wild Atlantic Salmon to learn more about their incredible migration.
Niall Hatch tells us more about Greenland White-fronted Geese and where to find them over the coming weeks, with the sloblands of Wexford being the most important location for them in the whole world.
The planting of trees along the edges of watercourses is one way to help to reverse salmon declines. More trees mean more shade, which in turn means cooler water. Cool water holds more oxygen than warm water, improving the salmons’ breeding success.
Shane Lehane deep interest in the Irish Hare has led him to write a paper entitled the The Cailleach and the Cosmic Hare, and he fills us in on some of the striking folk beliefs that have sprung up around this mysterious and magical creature.
Over the past couple of weeks, BirdWatch Ireland and other animal conservation and welfare groups have been receiving hundreds of reports of dead and dying seabirds. Avian flu has arrived.
Biologist and roving reporter Terry Flanagan speaks to John Lusby, Raptor Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland. Terry also meets up with Dr. Una Fitzpatrick, a senior ecologist with the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford to talk about wildflower meadow.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Avian Influenza, Owls, Wildflower meadows, The Cailleach and the Cosmic Hare and Birds colliding with glass buildings.
we discuss why glass can be such a danger to birds. Essentially, when birds see, for example, the sky or trees reflected so clearly and perfectly, they believe they can simply continue flying into that space, then strike the pane at full speed.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Avian Influenza, Owls, Wildflower meadows, The Cailleach and the Cosmic Hare and Birds colliding with glass buildings.
Researchers at University College Cork, University College Dublin and Queen's University Belfast are inviting members of the public to participate in a new 12-week nutrition study, which they call MyPlanetDiet.
Derek is joined by Panel: Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Matthew Jebb & Niall Hatch. Topic this week include: Flying south for the winter, trees dying in California, evolution may be predictable, disease-causing fungi thriving, Terry goes batty and carnivorous volunteers needed for new dietary study.
We have a selection of cutting-edge plant-themed stories for you this week, courtesy of (who else?) our good friend Dr. Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin in Dublin.
Our panellists discuss some of the species that we will soon be bidding a temporary farewell to, as well as those we will shortly be welcoming. (Whitethroat pictured)
erry Flanagan made a return visit to Bat Rehabilitation Ireland’s Bat Hospital in Bruree, Co. Limerick. There, he spoke with the founder of the hospital, Susan Kirwan, and assisted her with affixing metal identification rings to some Brown Long-eared Bats and a Leisler’s Bat.
Derek is joined by Panel: Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Matthew Jebb & Niall Hatch. Topic this week include: Flying south for the winter, trees dying in California, evolution may be predictable, disease-causing fungi thriving, Terry goes batty and carnivorous volunteers needed for new dietary study.
Éanna tells Derek about her new book - 'Wild and Wonderful: Around the World with Éanna' and published by The O’Brien Press.
On tonight’s programme, biologist and roving reporter Terry Flanagan travels to Loughrea in Co. Galway to talk to Elaine O’Riordan about her findings the Irish Hedgehog Survey.
The recent drought conditions in central Texas prompted the exposure of a set of 113 million-year-old dinosaur footprints. But did you know Ireland is home to another set of footprints that are 385 million years old.
Eric Dempsey joins us to talk about a recent sighting her made with his friend Michael O’Clery when they both saw a Black-browed Albatross at Brandon Point in Co. Kerry.
The recent drought conditions in central Texas prompted the exposure of a set of 113 million-year-old dinosaur footprints. But did you know Ireland is home to another set of footprints that are 385 million years old.
On tonight’s programme, biologist and roving reporter Terry Flanagan travels to Loughrea in Co. Galway to talk to Elaine O’Riordan about her findings the Irish Hedgehog Survey.
In an effort to reduce the scavenging opportunities afforded to gulls – as well as to other potentially problematic creatures, such as foxes and rats – Dublin City Council is introducing special heavy-duty 'gull-proof’ bin bags.
Eric Dempsey joins us to talk about a recent sighting her made with his friend Michael O’Clery when they both saw a Black-browed Albatross at Brandon Point in Co. Kerry.
Joining Derek this week we have Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Malahide Castle & Gardens, Éanna's Wild and Wonderful book, Gull-proof rubbish bags, the Irish Hedgehog Survey, Dinosaur footprints, Black-browed Albatross in Co. Kerry and Celebrating Hedgerow Week.
Éanna tells Derek about her new book - 'Wild and Wonderful: Around the World with Éanna' and published by The O’Brien Press.
In an effort to reduce the scavenging opportunities afforded to gulls – as well as to other potentially problematic creatures, such as foxes and rats – Dublin City Council is introducing special heavy-duty 'gull-proof’ bin bags.
Joining Derek this week we have Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Malahide Castle & Gardens, Éanna's Wild and Wonderful book, Gull-proof rubbish bags, the Irish Hedgehog Survey, Dinosaur footprints, Black-browed Albatross in Co. Kerry and Celebrating Hedgerow Week.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins & Niall Hatch. Topic for discussion inlclude: National Heritage Week, the Dublin Horse Show, Don’t feed the deer, Should you feed birds during the summer, Fox' Eyes and Leave No Visible Trace.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins & Niall Hatch. Topic for discussion inlclude: National Heritage Week, the Dublin Horse Show, Don’t feed the deer, Should you feed birds during the summer, Fox' Eyes and Leave No Visible Trace.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion this week include: Goats and rabbits on Dalkey Island, the Natural History Museum, a Dolphin ‘playing’ with salmon and Climate change is impacting feeding opportunities for seabirds.
Join Derek and team as they take a look at the increasing number of wildfires around the world in this Mooney Goes Wild Special.
Join Derek and team as they take a look at the increasing number of wildfires around the world in this Mooney Goes Wild Special.
We were greatly saddened to learn of the death on 26th July of legendary scientist, environmentalist, inventor and futurist James Lovelock, on what was his 103rd birthday. Tonight, as a tribute to and in memory of James Lovelock, we bring you another chance to hear the 2019 Mooney Goes Wild special about the great man.
There is great excitement that Cranes are returning to nest in Ireland, following nesting attempts by a pair of Common Cranes at an undisclosed Bord na Móna site in the Midlands in recent summers. Terry Flanagan meets up with Dr. Mark McCorry, Head of Ecology and Bog Rehabilitation at Bord na Móna.
Broadcaster and writer Anja Murray, joins us on tonight’s programme to make the case for weeds.
Niall Hatch visited the Cliffs of Moher as part of a special documentary about Puffins that he is currently making for Mooney Goes Wild. He took the opportunity to chat with local wildlife expert Tom Doherty, who has worked as a Ranger at the Cliffs of Moher for 16 years.
We speak to Evan Bowen-Jones, Chief Executive of the Kent Wildlife Trust, about this ambitious rewilding project and the roles it is hoped these Cork-bred bison will play in restoring the natural balance in the woodlands of Kent.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion this week include: Wildlife in the Banner County, remembering James Lovelock, Cranes breeding in Ireland again, Learning to love weeds, The Cliffs of Moher and Cork-bred bison in the English countryside.
Niall Hatch visited the Cliffs of Moher as part of a special documentary about Puffins that he is currently making for Mooney Goes Wild. He took the opportunity to chat with local wildlife expert Tom Doherty, who has worked as a Ranger at the Cliffs of Moher for 16 years.
We speak to Evan Bowen-Jones, Chief Executive of the Kent Wildlife Trust, about this ambitious rewilding project and the roles it is hoped these Cork-bred bison will play in restoring the natural balance in the woodlands of Kent.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion this week include: Wildlife in the Banner County, remembering James Lovelock, Cranes breeding in Ireland again, Learning to love weeds, The Cliffs of Moher and Cork-bred bison in the English countryside.
There is great excitement that Cranes are returning to nest in Ireland, following nesting attempts by a pair of Common Cranes at an undisclosed Bord na Móna site in the Midlands in recent summers. Terry Flanagan meets up with Dr. Mark McCorry, Head of Ecology and Bog Rehabilitation at Bord na Móna.
Broadcaster and writer Anja Murray, joins us on tonight’s programme to make the case for weeds.
Joining Derek this week we have: Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Leitrim’s Love Where You Live Awards, Succulents and Hummingbirds, Bee Centre in Co. Offaly, Cranes return to breed in Ireland, Buzzards on the attack, The Birds of County Cork and the GUIDES exhibition in Co. Mayo.
Joining Derek this week we have: Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Leitrim’s Love Where You Live Awards, Succulents and Hummingbirds, Bee Centre in Co. Offaly, Cranes return to breed in Ireland, Buzzards on the attack, The Birds of County Cork and the GUIDES exhibition in Co. Mayo.
Our colleague Rob Canning is the RTÉ Radio Archivist and he recently bumped into a Sika in his local park with his dog Lenny.
Joining Derek this week we have: Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Achill Island, Ireland’s largest butterfly, pigeons in a flap and the Saga of the Sika in a Dublin park.
Éanna Ní Lamhna joins us from lovely, windswept Achill Island, off the coast of Co. Mayo in the northwest of the country. It is the largest of Ireland’s offshore islands, and it boasts a resident population in excess of 2,500 people, as well as some of the most spectacular scenery our country has to offer.
Despite having decades of wildlife-watching under his belt, our reporter Terry Flanagan has never seen a Silver-washed Fritillary before. Who better to help him get to grips with this beautiful insect, then, than conservationist and author of The Irish Butterfly Book Jesmond Harding?
Derek takes three question from a Mooney Goes Wild listener about pigeons, gulls and wing flapping speed.
Joining Derek this week we have Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics up for discussion include: Beyond the Trees at Avondale Forest Park, Baby sloth born at Fota Wildlife Park, Avian Influenza and Slow Worms in the Burren.
Joining Derek this week we have Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics up for discussion include: Beyond the Trees at Avondale Forest Park, Baby sloth born at Fota Wildlife Park, Avian Influenza and Slow Worms in the Burren.
Nick Perry has been studying Slow Worms in the Burren since 2015. We sent our roving reporter Terry Flanagan out into the field with Nick to learn more, and hopefully also to see one of these legless lizards for himself.
Last week, President Michael D. Higgins officially opened a landmark new sustainable tourism initiative at Avondale Forest Park in Co. Wicklow. Eanna went along to have a look.
We are joined by Julien Fonteneau, Lead Ranger at Fota Wildlife Park, to tell us more about these famously slow-moving creatures which spend virtually their entire lives suspended from trees and sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
On tonight’s programme, we speak to Craig Nesbit, a ranger with the National Trust for Scotland who is based on St. Kilda, about the impact of this virus and his fears for his beloved seabirds on the islands.
Joining Derek this week we have Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Sand Martins, bat pooper-scooping, the Merlin Bird ID app, the Roseate Terns of Rockabill and the taxidermy of Donal Mulchay.
We speak to Drew Weber from the Cornell 'Lab of O’, as it is widely known in ornithological circles, to learn more about how this remarkable new app works.
Joining Derek this week we have Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Sand Martins, bat pooper-scooping, the Merlin Bird ID app, the Roseate Terns of Rockabill and the taxidermy of Donal Mulchay.
Richard Collins tells us more about this charming seasonal visitor, which is one of the earliest migrant birds to arrive back in Ireland each spring.
Here in Ireland, we have little idea of exactly what insects our bats are consuming. A new project being run by Bat Conservation Ireland aims to change that, and they are asking you, our Mooney Goes Wild listeners, to volunteer as bat pooper-scoopers!
Niall Hatch updates us on how this year’s nesting season on Rockabill has been going, how the project has inspired and benefited similar conservation efforts across the globe.
The work of a taxidermist is as artistic as it is technical, with the aim of recreating the beauty and drama of a living animal. Limerick’s Donal Mulchay is one of Ireland’s most celebrated taxidermists.
Time once again to delve into the Mooney Goes Wild Archive. In tonight's programme Derek Mooney is on the trail of the White Stork. This programme was first broadcast in February 2020.
In tonight's programme Derek Mooney and Terry Flanagan explore the world of poo. The programme was first broadcast in January 2019.
For this very special edition of Mooney Goes Wild, we thought we might delve a little more deeply into all things avian. Our esteemed panellists – Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan, Eric Dempsey and Niall Hatch – will shine the spotlight on the defining features of our feathered friends.
Dürer is perhaps most renowned for his intricate woodcut prints. Many of his woodcuts are held in extremely high esteem, but one in particular is probably his most famous of all: a depiction of what was, at the time of its creation in 1515, an animal that was almost unimaginably exotic, mysterious and fantastical: "Dürer's Rhinoceros".
In this documentary, Derek Mooney and biologist Terry Flanagan celebrate the blackbird, and its place in the avian world.
On tonight’s programme we delve a little deeper into this pressing topic as we bring you a special documentary, presented by our very own roving reporter Terry Flanagan, all about Ireland’s invasive species.
We give you another chance to listen to a documentary about these fascinating birds that we first broadcast in 2018. Derek Mooney and Niall Hatch explored the inextricable link between humans and House Sparrows, how the development of early agriculture led to sparrow settlements in Ireland.
We speak to ecologist Marie Louise Heffernan, who together with her colleague Jackie Hunt and a team of surveyors carried out the 2020 National Parks and Wildlife Service survey of this rare breeding species.
Deirdre Lynn is a Scientific Officer with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and she joins us on tonight’s programme to tell us more about the event and to explain how the recommendations that stem from it will inform national and local planning and decision-making for many years to come.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins and Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: The smaller the scorpion, the deadlier the sting, Common Scoters: the small, black ducks that most of us never notice, Old turbine blades get a new wind and The National Biodiversity Conference 2022.
Dr. Paul Leahy is Lecturer in Wind Energy at the School of Engineering and Architecture at University College Cork and the Principal Investigator of the Re-Wind Project. He tells us how this research project aims to create alternative ways to deal with end-of-life wind turbine blades.
Dr. Michel Dugon, Head of the Venom System Laboratory at NUI Galway and a senior author of the study, talks to Éanna about his team’s research and the varying ways in which scorpions have evolved both to capture their prey and to protect themselves against threats.
Tonight on Mooney Goes Wild, we bring you another chance to listen to their resulting radio documentary about Carl Linnaeus, the Father of Classification.
We revisit a very special Mooney Goes Wild documentary from 2015 about one of Ireland's most impressive yet least understood birds, the Common Swift. These remarkable creatures migrate to us from sub-Saharan Africa each May and remain with us for the shortest period of any migrant breeding bird, departing again in August.
In Tonight’s edition, Derek looks back at highlights of the seven-hour marathon Dawn Chorus programme broadcast on International Dawn Chorus Day, Sunday May 1st, 2022. Archive pic - Derek Mooney and Jim Wilson (Ornithologist) on location at Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve in Cork, our main location for the annual broadcast of the Dawn Chorus
On this special edition of Mooney Goes Wild, Derek is joined by self-confessed Swallow-nuts Jim Wilson, Terry Flanagan, Eric Dempsey and Niall Hatch for an in-depth look into the lives of these fascinating birds, including their migratory journeys, their unique adaptations, their foraging behaviour and their nesting habits.
Niall Hatch explains how these small but supremely agile birds go about tackling such tricky prey and outlines the adaptations that millions of years of evolution have gifted them with in order to make the task easier.
Jim Wilson peeks into the very serious business of Swallow breeding behaviour for us. He also speaks to Clare Morey who tells us about the Swallows currently nesting at her house in Cobh.
For this very special edition of Mooney Goes Wild, we thought we might delve a little more deeply into all things avian. Our esteemed panellists – Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan, Eric Dempsey and Niall Hatch – will shine the spotlight on the defining features of our feathered friends.
Terry Flanagan presents a special Mooney Goes Wild documentary about the Great Spotted Woodpecker, one of the newest and most interesting additions to the list of Irish breeding birds.
Derek and panel take a look at this year's 'Celtic Dawn Chorus' which takes place this Saturday night from 12 to 7am on Sunday morning.
Derek and panel take a look at all 12 finalists in this year's RTÉ Eye on Nature Photographic competition.
Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan and Niall Hatch. The main topic for discussion this evening is the RTÉ Eye on Nature Photographic Competition. We have 12 finalists and our panel takes a look at each photograph. We also take a look at next week's special Dawn Chorus programme.
While in New York Terry Flanagan spotted a bird he had long wanted to see: an American Robin. A common bird of gardens, parks and woodland across North America, this species is not closely related to the European Robin that is so familiar to us on this side of the Atlantic.
Éanna Ní Lamnha speaks to Dr. Maria Long, Grassland Ecologist with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, about the importance of protecting our semi-natural grasslands and improving their value for biodiversity.
Questions from listeners this week include: a knocking sound on trees, problems with noisy crows, a very choosy Blackbird and reoccurring Swallows.
Every winter, hundreds of dedicated bird surveyors across the country count waterbirds as part of the Irish Wetland Bird Survey. Niall Hatch is on hand to tell us more.
Terry speaks to Liane Costello, Campaign Officer with Clean Coasts about the need to change people’s attitudes and the simple steps we can all take to make sure that our bathroom habits don’t cause problems for our environment.
Derek is joined by Terry Flanagan and Niall Hatch, with contributions from Éanna Ní Lamhna. Topics for discussion include: robins in the Big Apple, wintering waterbirds at a hundred Irish wetlands, Grasslands under threat and Think before you flush!
On tonight’s programme, we speak to UCC President Prof. John O’Halloran, who talks us through some of the ground-breaking sustainability research currently underway on campus.
Joining Derek this week we have Éanna Ní Lamhna and Niall Hatch. Topics up for discussion include: rare bees in Co. Mayo, Starling in a sticky situation, Daredevil Blackbird in Donnybrook, the mystery of the missing Greenfinches and University College Cork: leading the charge on climate change and biodiversity loss.
The steep decline of Irish Great Yellow Bumblebee population is believed largely to be as a result of the loss of rich flower meadows. We are joined by Dr. Karina Dingerkus, an ecologist with the Great Yellow Bumblebee EIP conservation project.
Nial Hatch tackles some questions about starlings, a daredevil Blackbird, missing Greenfinches, Redpolls and a close encounter with a Long-eared Owl.
Henrietta Broderick was in touch to let us know about an interesting recent Rook sighting. She was sitting on a bench at Oranmore, Co. Galway when one of these large, all-black crows landed at her feet. She was astonished to see that the bird had a bizarrely malformed beak.
Catherine Smyth, was in touch with the programme to ask about claims that a penguin had recently been spotted on a beach at Enniscrone, Co. Sligo. Could this be possible, she wanted to know?
This week Derek is joined by Niall Hatch, with contributions from Éanna Ní Lamhna and Terry Flanagan. Topics for discussion include: Rooks causing a ruckus in UCC, malformed beaks, Penguins in Co. Sligo, An Fód Deireanach ar TG4, Star-studded Skerries sandbank and Brent Geese in Blackrock.
Niall Hatch was taking a stroll across the main UCC campus when he noticed something rather unusual. Two Rooks were lying on the ground. He noticed that one of the birds had subdued the other and was using one of its feet to clamp its rival’s beak shut. Meanwhile, the aggressor’s mate was feeding from a discarded bag of food on the grass nearby.
In a new four-part series for TG4 called An Fód Deireanach (The Last Sod), beginning on 7th April at 8:00pm, Manchán Magan explores our complex relationship with Ireland’s peatlands. Éanna Ní Lamhna speaks to Manchán about the series.
Dr. Ciaran O'Keeffe, formerly Chief Scientist with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is a man with a keen eye for interesting happenings in the natural world. Over the past few months he has been observing some rather unusual gull behaviour off Skerries, Co. Dublin.
David Fitzpatrick from Rathgar in Dublin emailed us to say that every evening around half an hour before sunset he sees large groups of gulls flying over his house, heading eastwards towards the sea. He wanted to know where they might be coming from and going to?
Walking through Blackrock Park in Co. Dublin late last week, Derek took a video of a hungry gaggle of Brent Geese busily feeding on grass.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: The 3rd All-Ireland Pine Marten Symposium, Spring Alive, Climate change causing birds to begin nesting earlier, Curlew ECHOES and Optimising Bee Conservation.
Éanna Ní Lamhna speaks to Cian White, a PhD candidate at Trinity College Dublin. His research focuses on bee ecology and conservation, and he tells us about the most effective ways to conserve these vital pollinating insects.
The Curlew is one of Ireland’s most endangered breeding birds, its population having fallen by over 90% here in recent decades. We speak to Dr. Fiona Cawkwell of the Geography Department at University College Cork, who is working on satellite remote sensing as part of the ECHOES project.
This is the time of year when our first migrant breeding birds begin to arrive back to Ireland from their wintering quarters, beginning Sand Martin. This is one of the common migrant bird species, along with the Swift, Swallow, Cuckoo and Ringed Plover, which are the subject of BirdLife International’s annual Spring Alive project.
We speak to Ruth Hanniffy, Species Project Officer with the Vincent Wildlife Trust and organiser of the event, about these charismatic, but sometimes problematic, creatures.
Our panel discusses this new research and explores the possible implications for birds here in Ireland.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins & Éanna Ní Lamhna. Topics for discussion this week include: Norwegian Wolves: one of the most controversial conservation topics in Europe, National Tree Week and the ambitious work of Reforest Nation and how do flies navigate?
Sam Fabian, of the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London, and a team from the University of Minnesota have been investigating just how a creature as small as a fly can navigate.
On tonight’s programme, our roving reporter Terry Flanagan speaks to Gearóid McEvoy, a 21-year-old student from Co. Louth who is the founder of an organisation called Reforest Nation.
To bring us up to speed on this story, who better to speak to than our man in Norway, naturalist and broadcaster Helge Søfteland. Helge joins us from his home in scenic Voss, a nature and winter sports paradise in the south-west of the country.
Derek is joined by Eric Dempsey & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Getting the lead out: lead poisoning and its impacts on birds of prey, Celebrating National Tree Week, The importance of trees to birds, Birdy, who is the fairest bird of them all and Gulls in urban spaces.
Dr. Adam Kane is a lecturer at the School of Biology and Environmental Science in University College Dublin. He recently received funding from Science Foundation Ireland to investigate how gulls utilise urban environments and to use this data to help to resolve the ongoing conflict between gulls and human residents in Dublin.
Ornithologist Eric Dempsey joins Derek and Niall from Co. Wicklow to talk about beauty in birds.
Terry Flanagan goes to the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin to talk to President of the Tree Council of Ireland, Éanna Ní Lamhna. Terry also meets up with Felicity Gaffney, Head of Education at the National Botanic Gardens and a member of the Tree Council of Ireland.
The European Union recently announced plans to curtail significantly the use of lead shot and bullets across all member states, mainly for the protection of birds. One group of birds that has disproportionately been affected by the use of lead ammunition is birds of prey, as a recent wide-ranging study by the University of Cambridge has revealed.
Éanna Ní Lamhna is the President of the Tree Council of Ireland, and on tonight’s programme she tells us about National Tree Week, as well as why we should all plant some trees of our own.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins & Éanna Ní Lamhna. Topics up for discussion this week include: A look ahead to National Tree Week, Windsurfing swans, Mysteries of the deep and How pollinators interact with plants.
Dr. Dara Anne Stanley is Assistant Professor in Applied Entomology at University College Dublin. She tells us about her studies of Irish apple trees and the various insect pollinators that are so essential to their fruit and seed production.
Dr. Ken Whelan tells us about mysterious and perplexing phenomena in our seas, including the Baltic Anomaly, the Bermuda Triangle, and the milky sea phenomenon, reported by countless sailors over the course of hundreds of years.
Derek is joined this evening by Terry Flanagan and Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: The Irish Garden Bird Survey, BirdWatch Ireland in Fingal, Crows in Portlaoise, the Battle of the Birders and saving Ireland's Corncrakes.
Terry Flanagan and Niall Hatch, face off in an attempt to outdo each other with their most impressive and outlandish bird adaptation facts in a special segment we are calling The Battle of the Birders.
Dr. John Carey, joins us to explain how he and his team are working to increase numbers of these endangered birds in their remaining breeding strongholds and to encourage the restoration of the habitat they need in order to expand, all the while ensuring that communities, farmers and Corncrakes can co-exist without conflict.
Niall Hatch talk's a bout this years Irish Garden Bird Survey and Fingal's shout out for volunteers.
Dr. Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin and the Chair of our judging panel, joins us on tonight’s programme to tell us more about the adjudication process for RTÉ Eye on Nature wildlife photography competition. Competition now closed.
Following a widely supported online petition that was launched last summer and which attracted almost 13,000 signatures, the Basking Shark is to be granted the status of a ‘protected wild animal’ here under the Wildlife Acts. We are joined by the man behind the petition, Dr. Simon Berrow of the Irish Basking Shark Group.
This week Derek is joined by Richard Collins & Éanna Ní Lamhna. Topics up for discussion include: RTÉ Eye on Nature wildlife photography competition, Basking sharks to be protected in Irish waters, love is in the air with the onset of the Spring and the History of Life Project.
The History of Life project at NUI Galway encourages science students to do precisely that. On tonight’s programme, geologist and palaeontologist Dr. John Murray from the university’s School of Natural Sciences tells us more about this innovative and multi-award-winning teaching programme.
Joining Derek in studio this week we have Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: the Easy Guide to Garden Birds, Derek's friendly Robin, Buzzards, the Great Spotted Woodpecker and we take a look at some listeners photo's and video's.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins & Éanna Ní Lamhna. Topics for discussion include the scent of jasmine in bloom, the Eye on Nature photography competition, Bee Orchids, the BSBI Plant Hunt and Waterways Through Time.
In this special one-hour Mooney Goes Wild documentary, we delve into the history of Dürer's Rhinoceros.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins & Éanna Ní Lamhna. Topic up for discussion include: Gannets, Protecting waterbirds from disturbance, truffles, Coastal Communities Adapting Together, Bull Island and RTÉ Eye on Nature wildlife photography competition.
Derek is joined by Jim Wilson, Niall Hatch and Eric Dempsey to discuss the many topics within tonights show.
Join Derek and panel as they look into the animal world on St Valentines Day to find the most romantic wildlife in Ireland.
This week Derek is joined in studio by Jim Wilson and Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: birds eating frogspawn, Ring-necked Parakeets in Dublin, Naturalized Parrots of the World and photographer Mike Brown is keeping his Eye on Nature.
This week Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Matthew Jebb. Topics for discussion include the yew tree, leaves refusing to fall, how many tree's are there and can the Groundhog really predict the weather?
Join Derek and this weeks panel consisting of Eric Dempsey and Niall Hatch as they talk about the natural wonders of the Garden County, quacks, bird naming, chilling with humming birds and RTÉ's scene stealing pigeon.
Derek is joined this week by his panel: Richard Collins & Éanna Ní Lamhna. Topics for discussion include the Red and Grey squirrels, the Irish Wetland Bird Survey, The Irish Butterfly Book and this years RTÉ Eye on Nature wildlife photography competition.
Join Derek and this weeks panel consisting of Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Matthew Jebb & Niall Hatch as they take a look at stories including: Avian influenza, Some light relief for urban birds, Rise like a Phoenix, Birds are no fools – some even use tools and a crisis for plants which rely on animals for seed-dispersal.
Derek is joined by his panel: Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna & Terry Flanagan. topics up for discussion this week include; Pain in animals, Bringing the 'Dead Zoo’ to life: a new book about our first national museum and Tornadoes and Waterspouts in Ireland.
Birds have long been one of our favourite animal groups on the programme, of course, and there is never any shortage of fascinating discoveries about avian behaviour, evolution and impressive feats for Derek and the panel to discuss. Tonight's programme is no different, as we serve you up another batch of fascinating ornithological oddities.
Australian Ravens attacking drones in Canberra, Ireland's new invader: the White-toothed Shrew and vacuuming DNA from the air in the University of Copenhagen.
Sustainable universities: UCC tops the Irish table, banning lead shot near wetland areas, the changing face of Ireland's birdlife: winners and losers, the Jay: Ireland’s colourful crow and House Sparrows: are they really declining?
Tonight's programme is a special on Migration and is presented by Terry Flanagan. Apart from the obvious migrants like the swallows coming to Ireland for the summer and the waders that travel here for the winter, many other species migrate to and from Ireland. These include salmon, eels, bats and butterflies.
Each winter Ireland is home to hundreds of thousands of winter visitors. In this recorded edition of MOONEY GOES WILD we join the MOONEY GOES WILD crews in Dublin and Cork for this special programme on WADERS.
In this special one-hour Mooney Goes Wild documentary, we delve into the history of Dürer's Rhinoceros
In this special one-hour Mooney Goes Wild documentary, we delve into the history of Dürer's Rhinoceros
Another opportunity to hear a Mooney Goes Wild special about the history and traditions of The Christmas Tree.
On tonight’s special edition of Mooney Goes Wild, join Derek Mooney, Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan, Ken Whelan and Niall Hatch as they discuss their favourite wildlife-themed gift ideas for budding naturalists of all ages.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics up for discussion include: Back from the Brink, Mesmerising murmurations, a helping hand for Hen Harriers, Stones and Stolen Moments with author John Quinn.
Joining Derek this week we have Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include BirdWatch Ireland's annual Irish Garden Bird Survey, newly appointed President of University College Cork, Prof. John O’Halloran, Swan grazing on algae in Dublin, COP 26 and the Aer Lingus ‘bird strike’ incident from December 1985.
This week Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics up for discussion: BirdWatch Ireland’s annual Irish Garden Bird Survey, Harper’s Island Wetlands, a Community garden in Darndale, the link between badgers & blackberries and do urban gulls deserve the bad press?
Derek is joined by panel: Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. This week we find out about a new bee species, BirdWatch Ireland’s annual Irish Garden Bird Survey, felines bearing gifts, an extinct plant in the Botanic Gardens and cameraman Dough Allen on his years filming in the polar regions.
Tonight on a very special episode of Mooney Goes Wild we are dedicating our programme to the wonderful world of birds. Joining Derek to share their experiences, inspirations and favourite avian news stories are three of Ireland's leading experts in all things ornithological, Richard Collins, Jim Wilson and Niall Hatch.
Join Derek this week as he looks back at some of the highlights from the show so far this year.
Join Derek this week as he looks back at some of the highlights from the show so far this year.
This week Derek and panel take a look at the intriguing existence of fungi, Terry Flanagan takes a look at a Sparrowhawk in Co. Louth and Director of Dublin Zoo, Dr. Christoph Schwitzer joins us for a chat.
Joining Derek this week we have Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include: Is Ireland set to lose its wintering Bewick’s Swans? Matthew Jebb on autumnal changes. Autumn 'technicolour' berries and where is Wally the Walrus?
Is our warming climate causing some animals to "shape-shift"? Derek & the panel discuss a stunning spider web that he discovered on the wing-mirror of his car. Dr. Zoe Muller on giraffes & the ‘grandmother hypothesis’, Richard O’Callaghan on the decline of Freshwater Pearl Mussels and you can take part in the Coastwatch Autumn Survey.
Richard Collins looks to Lambay, we take a look at correct naming in nature, Éanna looks forward to 'National Tree Day', Terry Flanagan on the Phoenix Park in Dublin, we look at a new book - The Coastal Atlas of Ireland & the curious case of African Penguins killed by a swarm of bees.
This week we take a look at terns in Dublin Bay, Terry visits the Dead Zoo, why pollinators need a boost, a white Pheasant turns up in Meath, ‘citizen scientist’ help needed to measure nitrogen dioxide levels and Derek visits Fota Wildlife Park in Cork.
Autumn: the season when birdwatchers twitch with excitement, the amazing vocal imitations of the Superb Lyrebird, we look at eelgrass which the favourite food of Brent Geese, Eanna looks at Ash Dieback and Grounded Manx Shearwaters need a helping hand.
Basking Sharks go a-courtin’ off the Co. Clare coast, Annette Lanigan being driven batty Co. Kilkenny, the bees last supper and the hunting season has begun, but is it time to rethink some of the species on the permitted quarry list?
We take a look at Blessington Basin in Dublin where 7 cygnets have been hatched, Japanese Knotweed: how can we kill an invasive plant with the power to come back from the dead? We talk to a 'Farming for Nature Ambassador', and Terry Flanagan retires as a teacher.
On tonight’s programme, we discuss how Little Egrets first came to be in Ireland, Phase two of Ireland’s White-tailed Eagle reintroduction project takes flight, Growing numbers of hedgehogs being admitted to Ireland’s first wildlife hospital and The lucky frog who lived to hop another day.
How can we help threatened species to cope with climate change? We talk to Matthew Medler from the world-renowned Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and Terry Flanagan goes to the Phoenix Park in search of some deer.
The first Common Cranes to hatch in Ireland in more than 300 years, Sulawesi Babbler: what can a drab Indonesian songbird tell us about evolution in Ireland? Sounds from the deep with the Humpback Whale and the dangers posed to birds by windows: the tale of the Goldfinch who had a lucky escape.
We talk to Joe Freeley from Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, who breeds, rears and trains doves, Terry Flanagan goes looking for Owls in the Phoenix Park and we go counting butterflies with Rose Cremin from UK-based charity Butterfly Conservation.
Joining Derek and team check out: Plant blindness: when you can't see the wood for the trees, Ireland's first dedicated bat hospital, warm blooded fish and are sharks really evolving to walk on dry land?
Derek is joined by Niall Hatch and Eric Dempsey in studio and they are joined by Terry Flanagan who is on the trail jackdaws along with Richard Collins and Éanna Ní Lamhna who join in from Malahide and Co. Clare.
Welcome to a very special episode of Mooney Goes Wild, in which we celebrate this very day, the longest day of the year, at least here in the Northern Hemisphere: the Summer Solstice.
This week Derek, Richard, Eanna and Niall talk to Terry Flanagan who checks out a hungry tree, Brian McCann who tells us about a Golden Eagle born in captivity and Ken Whelan on what salmon eyes tell us about their diets.
This week Derek and team take a look at Feral pigeons mating rituals, the Hermit Thrush, a pine marten is scared by a fox and they also take a look at the latest Dublin bay Biodiversity Plan.
Join Derek, Éanna Ní Lamhna and Niall Hatch as they talk to Terry Flanagan about orchids, moths with Jim Wilson and Musical Moments from pianist Finghin Collins.
On today's show Derek talks about tame robins, Terry Flanagan on the midge, Dr Easkey Britton on cleaning our oceans and Niall McAuley joins Derek in studio to talk about 'no mow' lawns.
Niall McAuley joins Derek to talk about his YouTube channel NiallGardens and his 'no mow lawn'
Dr. Easkey Britton is based outside Westport, from where she joined Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins and Niall Hatch.
Derek talk's to Mick Power from Coillte about illegal dumping, Sean McKeown from Fota Wildlife Park joins us to talk about their Natterjack Toad breeding project and Richard Collins and Niall Hatch talk to Queen's PhD student, Kez Armstrong about declining Kestral numbers and a new 'Kestral Cam' in Fermanagh.
Derek and team discuss why some birds walk while others hop. Terry Flanagan reports from Herbert Park on the mating behavior of Mallard & the aerobatic insect-catching Pied Wagtails. Dr Matthew Jebb brings us up to date with the latest news on photosynthesis & Dr Simon Berrow on a petition to have Basking Sharks protected in Irish waters.
Dr Matthew Jebb, director of the National Botanic Gardens brings us up to date with the latest news on photosynthesis.
Dr Simon Berrow tells us about a petition to have Basking Sharks protected in Irish waters.
Derek and the team discuss why some birds walk while others hop. Terry Flannagan reports from Herbert Park on the mating behavior of Mallard & the aerobatic insect-catching Pied Wagtails.
Derek, Niall & Richard discuss bird song and why it is that some birds like 'singing on the rain' while others keep a low profile. The Blackbird and the Mistle Thrush are two notables.
This week Derek is joined by Richard Collins and Niall Hatch and they are joined by director of the national botanic gardens, Dr Matthew Jebb who talks about the Hawthorn. They are also joined by Professor Francis Ratnieks from the University of Sussex who tells us about why some plant species are dominated by bumble bees and others by honest bees.
Dr Matthew Jebb, director of the national botanic gardens sings the praises of the Hawthorn tree also known as the May tree because its flowers bloom from early May to late June in Ireland. Specimens of the Hawthorn can be found in throughout the country as it's one of most abundant native species.
Professor Francis Ratnieks from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex tells us about research into foraging bees and discloses why some plant species are dominated by bumble bees and others by honest bees.
Stephen Gallagher is founder of swarms.ie – an emergency team for swarming bees. He joins Derek in studio.
An Post have issued two new stamps to mark Ireland's rare and dwindling natural wildlife. Angus Laverty is Public Affairs Manager with An Post and he joined us on the line.
Assistant researcher in UCC Rachel Hayden, explains why the invasive Asian Hornet is a threat. Bord na Móna ecologist Mark McCorry brings us news of a nesting pair of common Cranes in the Midlands. UCC researcher Linda Line wants Mooney Goes Wild listeners to keep their eyes open as part of the common lizard survey.
Derek is joined by Richard Collins and Niall Hatch as they listen to Goldfinch song. Elaine O'Riordan joins in to talk about the 'National Hedgehog Survey' and we are joined by Paddy Glackin and Donal Lunny in studio eight as Derek takes a look back at Dawn Chorus 2021.
The White Storks of Rühstädt in Germany - In this special edition of Mooney Goes Wild Derek travels to the picturesque village of Rühstädt in Germany.
The Curlew was once a common and familiar sight in the Irish landscape, breeding in upland bogs and traditional meadows in the summer, then flocking to coastal estuaries, beaches and mudflats in the winter. Sadly, today this charismatic bird finds itself threatened with extinction, its population plummeting rapidly.
Welcome to our annual marathon broadcast of the Dawn Chorus. For six hours here on RTÉ Radio 1 and across Europe with our partners in the European Broadcasting Union we will take you on a magical journey from darkness into light, as the birds wake up and burst into song.
Eric Dempsey joins Derek to talk about his memoir, 'Don't Die in Autumn' which will be released on the 1st of May as an audiobook.
There have been many theories about the stick throwing Hooded Crow at John Reidy's house in Kerry. Joining us this week we have the children of St Mary's Boys National School in Booterstown, Dublin and their teacher Ms. O'Dea.
Declan Murphy joins us to talk about his new book - "The Spirit of the River" and he joins us from that same river - the Avonmore near Laragh, County Wicklow.
This week includes Declan Murphy talking about his new book -'The Spirit of the River', Eric Dempsey on his memoir, 'Don't Die in autumn' being produced as an audiobook, Terry Flanagan on Sparrows and Derek talks to Jim Wilson as we look forward to 'Dawn Chorus 2021'.
Derek, Jim Wilson and Niall Hatch look ahead to the Dawn Chorus on Sunday 2nd May 0100-0700 on RTÉ Radio 1.
Terry Flanagan joins Derek from his back garden where he spends a lot of time observing sparrows.
John Reidy gives us an update on the door bashing HOODED CROW at his home in Kerry. Ashling de Barra sent in a video of a Jackdaw taking mouthfuls of hair from a cow's back. Éanna ní Lamhna talk's about her new book OUR WILD WORLD. Dr. Simon Berrow talks about noise pollution in our oceans and the impact it is having on marine life.
Dr Simon Berrow, chief scientific officer with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group talks about noise pollution in our oceans and the impact it is having on marine life.
On today's show Éanna launches her new book, a crow attacks a glass door with a stick, Ken Whelan talks about rivers, we look at noise pollution in our oceans, we have a look at our cuckoo counting campaign and we take a look at the beautiful raised bog of
We launch out shout out for cuckoos campaign. Join the Mooney goes wild army of citizen scientists. Jim Wilson and Niall Hatch talk about Sand Martins and discuss the benefits of artificial sand breeding banks. Richard & Éanna answer a listeners question about devoted dads in the animal kingdom
This week Derek, Éanna and Richard discuss the Monkey Puzzle tree and they are joined by Director of Fota Wildlife Park - Sean McKeown, Niall Hatch on the rediscovery of the Black Browed Babbler, Fergal Monaghan talks about the Hen Harrier Project, Damien Hannigan on the deer population in the Phoenix Park and Terry Flanagan on feeding birds.
Terry Flanagan reports on Ladybirds. Dublin student Liam Corcoran talks about the photograph he took of a Mandarin Duck which he entered into the RTÉ Eye on Nature competition. Éanna ni Lámhna extols the virtues of National Tree Week 2021. And Derek reworks ‘The Lark Ascending’by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.
We take a look at the 12 finalists in the RTÉ EYE ON NATURE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION. Niall Hatch on why birds line their nests with moss, feathers and sheep’s wool and we look ahead to a two part documentary on TG4 about how wildlife faired during lockdown.
At this time of year there is a lovely stretch in the evening, birds are singing and bulbs are sprouting. So we decided to celebrate with the Mooney Goes Wild - Spring into Nature Quiz!
Our team of reporters are primed for action - out and about in various locations around the country and they’re ready to bring us a flavour of what’s happening where they are – in our MOONEY GOES WILD Spring "Night-time Vigil"
Derek, Éanna, Richard & Matthew Jebb discuss why a Snowdrop is called a Snowdrop. Eric Dempsey goes in search of Dublin's Brent Geese. Terry Flanagan on the 'lookdown' hobby that became a small business making birdfeeders. Niall Hatch talks to Tommy Kennedy about Woodpeckers in his garden & Brian Burke on the The 8th International Swan Census.
This week Derek and panel discuss a Baltimore frog invasion, some bestial boredom, back garden bird feeding and skeletal deconstruction in the Natural History Museum.
We talk to Dr Colin Lawton of NUIG about controlling the population of Grey Squirrels using oral contraception. Terry Flanagan talks to Susan O' Donohue about her online children's book GOLDEN WINGS, and Éanna meets Emma Finn who set up a business installing beehives for corporations that want to increase their green credentials.
We hear about plans to transform part of the Dublin mountains to make them more people friendly. We'll update you on our wildlife photography competition which is attracting thousands of entries... And we’ll bring you news of research into kinder ways of counting fish.
Dr Matthew Jebb talks about the Venus Fly trap. Niall Hatch reports from BirdWatch Ireland's East Coast Nature Reserve. We hear about an online course for beginner beekeepers, Terry Flanagan investigates the tale of a sleeping fox in Co. Clare & Eric Dempsey helps Jenny Branigan with her family's venture into the Annual Garden Bird Survey.
On this week's show: the Troubling decline of Curlew numbers in Ireland, myths about birds and why do birds wash themselves? John Reilly with an update on our photographic competition. We talk to Kerri McCrae about her Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary and Terry Flanagan tells us about Nature Studies.
We launch the RTÉ Eye on Nature photographic competition. Jenny Branigan reports on BirdWatch Ireland’s annual garden bird survey. We ask how Ring-neck Parakeets are becoming regular visitors to Irish gardens. We discover the delightful sound of the Robin’s winter song and hear about the success of Barn Owl beatboxes in Cork.
It would be tragic if the Curlew were to disappear from our landscape forever. Urgent conservation work is underway to pinpoint the reasons for the bird’s decline and to develop the most effective ways to save it. In this Mooney Goes Wild special Derek meets some of the conservationists dedicated to saving this iconic species.
Join Terry Flanagan as he documents a year long biodiversity audit of Áras an Uachtaráin.