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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Niall Hatch and Herpetologist Gandola were out recording a report about frogs for RTÉ Radio One’s Nature Nights series when the spotted Sika.

Éanna Ní Lamhna chats to Derek about the Waxwing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Lamhna, Niall Hatch, Reporter: Terry Flanagan and Palaeontologist Dr. Tiffany Slater.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Daniel C. Able, 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.

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.

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.

This summer saw sea temperatures off Co. Donegal increase to levels 4°C above normal. While warmer sea temperatures might be pleasant for us humans when we take a dip, it can spell disaster for marine flora and fauna.

Dr Olga Lyashevska, formerly of the Atlantic Technological University in Galway and currently of the E-Science Centre in The Netherlands tells us more about the Ocean Sunfish.

Marine Biologist Ken Whelan tells Derek all about his Saltwater Dectectives course.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Ken Whelan Niall Hatch, Paulo Viscardi, Dr Olga Lyashevsk. and Éanna Ní Lamhna Topics for discussion include migration, marine life and volcanos.

SeaMonitor is a unique marine research project studying the seas around Ireland, Western Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Dr Michael Stock, Assistant Professor in Geochemistry at the School of Natural Sciences at Trinity College Dublin, has recently returned from studying volcanoes in the Galapagos. Éanna Ní Lamhna paid him a visit.

September is a time of year when many of our wild creatures take a bit of a break, or at least keep a lower profile than they have during the preceding months. it’s a busy time of year for many fish, too. Salmon and trout are beginning to mature, for example, which means that thoughts are turning to romance!

We speak to Dr. John Carey, who manages the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Corncrake Conservation Programme, about the work being done to ensure that this elusive species will have a future in Ireland and how habitat improvement schemes and building relationships with farmers and landowners are vital.

Derek spotted two pairs of Mallard ducks, who were clearly having a very vocal disagreement. Our experts discuss what may have been going on and just why these ducks were so agitated.

Animal behaviourist Blake Morton, who is based at the Department of Psychology of the University of Hull, is the leader of a research team exploring the Red Fox.

Dr. Richard Collins was out making the most of the warm weather when he spotted a family of Mute Swans.

The recent spell of unseasonably warm weather may have been welcomed by plenty of people across Ireland, but what do unusually hot September temperatures mean for wildlife? For some animals it can bring benefits, whereas for others it can cause serious problems.

Marine Biologist Ken Whelan quickly dropped into the studio tonight to let us know about the fantastic Saltwater Detectives course that he and his colleagues will be running in Co. Louth over the course of three weekends, for the second year in a row.

Derek spoke to Niall Hatch, Richard Collins, Dr. John Carey and Animal behaviourist Blake Morton.

Biologist and Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan pays a visit to the "Dead Zoo" speak to Museum Curator Paulo Viscardi about these amazing, almost other-worldly creatures.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Niall Hatch and David James, Associate Professor of Entomology at Washington State University, David James and Co-author.

Éanna Ní Lamhna speaks to Associate Professor of Entomology at Washington State University, David James, co-author of 'The Lives of Butterflies: a Natural History of our Planet’s Butterfly Life'.

Listener Nora Stuart twice spotted a Blackbird pecking on a frog.

Derek was present to witness first-hand as Ospreys were released from their holding pens and took their first flights in Irish skies, after be translocated from Norway.

Listener Catríona Maher made a most unexpected discovery: what she described to us as a "snail graveyard". Our panel dicuss what was found.

Derek was recently bitten by a Ladybird that had landed on his arm. He didn’t even know that this was something a ladybird could or would do.

We speak to Giles Knight, Environmental Farming Scheme Advisor with Ulster Wildlife, who has been monitoring the Fermanagh Osprey pair for the past three years. We also talk to Dr. Philip Buckley of the NPWS about what this will mean for the Osprey reintroduction programme south of the border.

Éanna recieved a video that shows a group of House Martins apparently burrowing into soil on the shores of Lough Derg. The panel discuss, how the birds were most likely collecting mouthfuls of wet mud to effect repairs to their nests.

Richard Collins was out for a walk with Derek in Dublin’s Fairview Park recently, when they came upon local resident Danny Rafferty feeding a Grey Heron. Danny feeds this particular bird every day and has even given it a name: Henno. Henno the Heron.

Max Barclay, Curator of Beetles at the Natural History Museum in London and Co-Author of a new book entitled Beetles of the World: A Natural History speaks with our own resident beetle expert, Éanna Ní Lamhna about his new book.

Biologist and Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan travelled to Dundalk to meet Peter Phillips of the Louth Branch of BirdWatch Ireland. Peter has erected perches from which he has observed the visiting Ospreys feeding. He is hoping to introduce nesting platforms over the next year or two.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Niall Hatch, Terry Flanagan,Max Barclay, Co-Author, Giles Knight, Environmental Farming Scheme Advisor, Ulster Wild Life and Dr. Philip Buckley of the NPWS Topics for discussion include House Martins, Ladybirds, Heron's, Ospreys and Beetles.

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.

Éanna speaks to Tara Adcock, BirdWatch Ireland’s Urban Birds Project Officer, about the efforts underway to help the Swift once again survive, and indeed thrive, in many of its former urban haunts.

We speak to Dr. Philip Buckley of the NPWS about the reasons why the time is finally right to restore these astonishing apex predators to Ireland’s waterways and we hear a recorded commentary by Dr Duncan John Halley of the moment an Osprey chick was removed from its nest site at the top of a Scot’s pine.

What do you do with your garden? Gardens are havens for people with all sorts of interests, as we hear from our panellists on tonight’s programme.

Derek is joned by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Niall Hatch, Éanna Ní Lamhna and Tara Adcock, BirdWatch Ireland’s Urban Birds Project Officer. Topics up for discussion include Pollinator gardens and weather stations, Swifts and Ospreys.

Richard and Éanna give us the lowdown on the unusual mating habits of Newt's. Niall explains why some salamanders, close relatives of the newts, don’t need to mate at all, and Éanna (who else?) even tells us the origin of the expression "as pissed as a newt"!

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna & Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan. Topics up for discussion include; the Great Crested Newt, Ring-necked Parakeet and Barrington’s Bird collection.

We are joined by Brian Burke of BirdWatch Ireland, who outlines the potential threats that the parakeets pose here in Ireland, should they become fully established in the wild.

Terry and Richard meet with Paolo Viscardi, Keeper at the in Dublin, to talk about the massive Barrington bird collection, which is housed there today.

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.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Author and Photographer Carsten Krieger and Secretary of The Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations. Topics us for discussion include wildlife photography, climate change and Bees.

Richard Collins recently took his grandchildren, who are all very keen photographers, to see the Eye on Nature photo exhibition at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin.

Derek spoke to Author Carsten Krieger about his new photography book “Wild Ireland: A Nature Journey from Shore to Peak”

Our Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan and Author and Naturalist, Declan Murphy took a stroll along the wicklow coastline focusing on two plants that have been effected by climate change.

Derek and Eanna spoke to Ken Norton, Secretary of The Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations about whats plants are best for pollination.

In this Mooney Goes Wild documentary, biologist Terry Flanagan discovers why the dandelion deserves our respect.

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.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna & Niall Hatch, Declan Murphy, Artist and Activist Katie Holten and Eamonn Meskell, who heads up the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Project. Topics for discussion include; Áras an Uachtaráin garden party, Woodpeckers, Language of Trees and bringing lost birds of prey home.

Eamonn Meskell, who heads up the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Project, tells us about the efforts that have been made to return these magnificent creatures – Ireland’s largest native bird of prey – to their rightful place in our landscape.

Author, Katie Holten, is an Artist and Activist, born in Ireland and now living in New York City and Ardee, Co. Louth. She joins us to tell us more about the inspirations behind her new book ' The Language of Trees.

President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina host a series of garden parties in the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin for community group and Éanna Ní Lamhna tells Derek all about the experience and how she relished the chance to attend in all her finery.

Bridget Kinsella, a listener from Co. Wexford approached Derek at Bloom to tell him all about a new avian arrival that she filmed visiting the hanging bird-feeders in her garden. The bird in question is a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

While Derek and Éanna were recording tonight’s programme, RTÉ Radio Sound Engineer Síle Ní Bhaoill happened to pop into the studio to say goodbye. Síle will retire soon, after almost 43 years of service with RTÉ.

James Garvey, the Owner of Rossnowlagh Surf School in Co. Donegal, happened to spot the Humpback Whale in Donegal Bay, an experience he describes as being "a nature lover’s lottery win".

Derek is joined by Richard Collins & Éanna Ní Lamhna, Sam Bailey from the National Park and Wild Life Service, Simon Berrow, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group ,James Garvey, the Owner of Rossnowlagh Surf School in Co. Donegal and RTÉ Sound Engineer Síle Ni Bhaoil. Topics to discuss, exterminating predators, Cuckoo's and Whales.

Éanna outlines how the New Zealand Government has embarked on a campaign to eliminate these non-native mammals from as many of their country’s key conservation zones as possible, with a view to making more habitats free of alien predators.

Derek spoke to Sam Bailey from the National Park and Wildlife Service about the migration route of the Cuckoo.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Niall Hatch and Biologist, Filmmaker and Writer Tom Mustill. Topics up for discusion include; Cape Clear Island, Ecolution, RTÉ's Eye on Nature and How to Speak Whale.

We speak with Biologist, Filmmaker and Writer Tom Mustill, author of How to Speak Whale, to whom Biologist and Conservationist Roger Payne was a much-loved friend and mentor.

On a recent visit to Cape Clear to record a segment for the upcoming new series of the RTÉ One television programme The Summer Show, Derek also recorded an interview with islander Mary Cadogan.

Mooney Goes Wild reporter Terry Flannagan speaks to Daniel Meehan about his winning photograph, his photographic techniques and his very genuine surprise at coming up trumps amongst such an accomplished group of finalists.

RTÉ jnr Producer, Nicky Coughlan, tells us about a special edition of the Ecolution podcast in which presenter Evie Kenny talks to primatologist Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on Chimpanzees.

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.

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.

Éanna Ní Lamhna spoke to Derek and the panel about her new book 'Wild Musings'.

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.

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.

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.

Motoring Journalist Michael Sheridan spoke with designer Nicola Haines and Marketing Manager at Citroën Ireland, Trevor Hunt in the Citroën Power of One showgarden.

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.

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.

Designer Darragh Collopy created an Asian-inspired Irish cottage garden aimed at a nature-loving vegetarian with a passion for biodiversity and meditation.

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.

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.

Niall Hatch spoke with the designer of the Fingal showgarden, Jane McCorkell, about the key elements of her creation.

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.

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.

Derek Mooney and his team explain the history of the Dawn Chorus

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 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.

Botanist Dr. Therese Higgins, a Lecturer in MTU Kerry, speaks to Éanna Ní Lamhna about the potential extinction of one of our native Bluebells.

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

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.

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.

The panel look ahead at this years The Dawn Chorus, which kicks off on midnight Sunday May 7th.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Naturalist and proud Corkonian Jim Wilson speaks to aquatic biologist Frances Gallagher, about Irish Seaweed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

Derek Mooney and guests explore the natural world in all its forms.

Theresa Power, Lead Ranger at Fota Wildlife, spoke about the arival of new Ring Tail Leamers at the park.

Éanna and Derek spoke to Naturalist, Chris Baines about wildlife gardening.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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

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.

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.

Broadcaster and Televison Producer Stephen Moss discusses his book Ten Birds that Changed the World.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Niall Hatch, Ecological Consultant Kendrew Calhoun and Jim Wilson. Topics up for discussion this week are Alpine Swift, Swans, Frog legs and The Dawn Chorus.

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.

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.

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.

Our roving Reporter, Biologist Terry Flanagan travelled for a special tour of Commercial Tulip Grower, Noel Ruigrok glasshouses.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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 Dr. John Murray of the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Galway, co-author of the paper. He speaks about the race to save the fossils from the elements and what this discovery is telling us about the evolution of sea urchins.

Jane Smith sent us a photo that she took on 10th February in Co. Tipperary of a frog surrounded by freshly laid frogspawn. Jane was wondering whether if the frogspawn had appeared earlier than usual this year, so on tonight’s programme we put the question to herpetologist Rob Gandola.

We are joined by the chair of the conference, Prof. John Quinn of UCC’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, who tells us more about this landmark ornithological event.

Terry Flanagan travelled there to speak to Dr. Matthew Jebb, director of the gardens and one of our three Eye on Nature judges, about this year’s competition, the kinds of entries he is hoping to see and the key elements that set a winning photograph apart.

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?

On tonight’s programme, Cork-based ornithologist Jim Wilson goes to University College Cork to speak to Prof. Robert Devoy about what you can tell about the ancient past of Harper’s Island if you dig deep enough . . . quite literally.

Birds are starting to sing, bees are beginning to buzz and we are noticing the fabled "grand stretch in the evenings". Does this mean that spring is already here, or are we still in the grips of winter?

While out shopping recently, Derek met a gentleman called Vivion Hughes who had a strange tale to tell him. Vivion had been perplexed recently to discover that a number of eggs had been buried in flowerpots in his garden. We also received an email from Maggie Moynihan who also found eggs in her garden.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Roving reporter and biologist Terry Flanagan speaks to vet Dr. Andrew Byrne, a long-standing friend of the programme, about the problems that fireworks pose for wild creatures and pets alike at this time each year, as well as ways to try to lessen their impact.

From Monday 31st October to Friday 4th November, RTÉ Radio One will be turning the airwaves over to wildlife each evening between 22:00 and 23:00. Called Nature Nights, it will be a celebration of nature and biodiversity in Ireland.

Richard speaks to Emma Roberts, Head of Research with the Urban Squirrel Survey, about its aims and findings.

Derek talks to Eanna and Niall about the Primetime Special - Ireland’s biodiversity emergency.

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.

We were delighted to see the recent announcement from Cork’s Fota Wildlife Park of a first in its 39-year history, as well as a first for Ireland; a baby Indian Rhinoceros was born there on 19th September 2022, after a gestation period of 16 months, to mother Maya and father Jamil.

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, 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.

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?

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, 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)