Mooney Goes Wild
Episodes
The Glossy Ibis
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Listener Martin Murray from Waterford sent us in some lovely photos of a Glossy Ibis feeding. Ornithologist Eric Dempsey explains this interesting bir...
Éanna’s Wild Dublin book: second edition out now
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dublin city hosts a secret world of wildlife. When Éanna Ní Lamhna’s 'Wild Dublin: Exploring Nature in the City' was first published in 2009, it e...
The “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” is upon us
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,' as John Keats put it, is well and truly with us. Have you noticed the vast amounts of fruits, seeds and...
Seed-collecting with Jeremy Turkington
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Each year, Jeremy Turkington and his colleagues at Hometree collect seeds from native Irish plant species in order to propagate them and ensure their ...
Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series 2025
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This year marks the 37th year of the annual Killarney National Park ‘Autumn Talks Series’, which is set to return this Thursday (October 9th). We ...
Celebrating National Tree Day
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last Thursday (October 2nd) was National Tree Day, a special day organised every year by the Tree Council of Ireland for primary school pupils (and th...
Birds and humans join forces to exploit beehives: the remarkable tale of the honeyguide
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most striking examples of intelligence, manipulation and cooperation in the avian world concerns the Greater Honeyguide, a species native t...
The threat posed by alien invasive species: don’t bring plants home from your holidays!
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When you are abroad and you see a beautiful plant, you might be tempted to uproot it or collect some seeds, and bring it back to your garden. We have ...
The problem of invasive alien plant species illegally being offered for sale
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Returning to the subject of invasive alien species, it is hard to imagine that some of these species might still be found for sale in some local garde...
Edelweiss - may you bloom and grow forever
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most memorable songs in the wonderful musical 'The Sound of Music' – released a shocking 60 years ago! – is about the beautiful Edelwei...
Investigating avian intelligence
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The term “birdbrain” should not be seen as an insult. Many bird species exhibit remarkable intelligence and problem-solving skills. The New Caledo...
The Mayfly
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, we hear a repeat of Dr. Ken Whelan's documentary on the Mayfly. Something strange is happening with mayfly populations. In this Nature On One...
The Sustainable Futures Forum
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Sustainable Futures Forum brought together experts in biodiversity, climate action, and education. Terry Flanagan explores Ireland's nature crisis...
Crockery Mountain
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last month, the town of Dungarvan celebrated the unveiling of Crockery Mountain, a 45 foot wide mosaic made from donated cups, plates, bowls and mugs....
Friendship is an important factor in gorillas, not just humans
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the human world, we know that friendships are important. But a recent report in 'Proceedings of the Royal Society B', show that friendship is an im...
The different ways we can identify animals
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Derek and Niall discuss how we can identify different species through their distinctive features and calls, and we answer some of your questions.See o...
Are butterflies finally flying high again this year?
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over the course of the summer, we received lots of positive emails from listeners about improved butterfly numbers. Terry Flanagan met lepidopterist J...
Rambling Along the Royal Canal
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland’s historic Royal Canal, originally built in the late 1700s, is now home to the longest Greenway in the country which extends from Dublin to ...
Wings and Bird Detectives: we take a look at BirdWatch Ireland’s membership magazines
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
BirdWatch Ireland is Ireland’s largest wildlife conservation charity, with a nationwide membership of over 15,000. Those members all receive Wings, ...
Global Action Plan: helping people to reconnect with nature
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Global Action Plan is an environmental charity that guides people on a journey of discovery to reconnect us with nature and with one another. Terry Fl...
Urban wildlife goes off the rails in Dublin!
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Two of the most popular urban-dwelling creatures you may encounter at home or during your commute are the Red Fox and the Sparrowhawk. These two speci...
Wild Dublin – second edition is on the way!
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Among her many credits, Éanna Ní Lamhna is a celebrated and prolific natural history author, with many books under her belt. One of the most popular...
Ancient Music in the Forest
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brendan Fitzpatrick sent a voice note to tell us about an interesting music festival. This summer, Co. Wicklow is alive with the sound of Ancient Musi...
Noisy Sparrowhawks
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ornithologist, author and regular contributor Eric Dempsey has had Sparrowhawks on his mind too. In recent days, a newly fledged hawk has taken up res...
On the trail of foraging foxes and backyard badgers!
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight’s episode of Mooney Goes Wild is a bit different. We decided to send Terry Flanagan and Niall Hatch off on a very special mission...to trave...
Forgotten Forests: Twelve Thousand Years of British and Irish Woodlands
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The forests of Britain and Ireland not only fuelled their indigenous populations, but also the Romans, Anglo Saxons, Vikings and Normans. Tonight, Éa...
Ealing Wildlife Group: an update
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While at the Global Birdfair in Rutland, England, Niall was delighted to bump into a good friend of ours here at Mooney Goes Wild: Dr Seán McCormack....
“Wonder reptile” fossil challenges ideas about how and when feathers evolved
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A recent development has turned much of what scientists believed about the origin of feathers on its head. We are delighted to speak with Prof. Maria ...
Where have all the insects gone?
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Breda Kelly wrote to us recently about her garden in Ballinteer, Dublin. She has a diverse garden... but apparently a total lack of bees. In fact, she...
This is the time of year when wasp behaviour tends to change . . . and we are more likely to get stung
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While Breda may be lacking insects around her home, Niall tells us that he has the opposite problem at the moment: Common Wasps are nesting in a cavit...
An update on Garrylucas Marsh
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finally on tonight’s programme, Karla Goodman gives us an update on Garrylucas Marsh (also known as Kilcolman Bog) in West Cork, which featured in o...
International Conference on Basking Sharks
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From August 29- 31 2025, the International Conference on Basking Sharks will take place at Atlantic Technological University in Galway. Dr Simon Berro...
Two critically endangered Flapper Skates washed ashore in Co. Mayo
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Flapper Skate is the largest species of skate in the world, clocking in at up to 2.5 metres in length. Sadly, they have been classified globally a...
Looking back at Ken Whelan’s Nature On One documentary on mayflies
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There is much more to mayflies than might meet the eye. They are fascinating creatures with a complex lifecycle that is largely hidden from human eyes...
Reporting from Global Birdfair 2025 in Rutland, England
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every July, the English county of Rutland plays host to the Global Birdfair, the world’s largest annual celebration of birds. Naturally, Niall Hatch...
Can we save the Ash tree?
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ash Dieback Disease has become a significant blight on the tree and is affecting supply for hurleys. However, research from Kew Gardens may give hope....
Exploring the world of Irish bats
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We recently received an email from Joan Mulvany in West Cork, and it contained videos of a mother and baby bat. The panel discuss bats in Ireland befo...
Happy birthday to an avid listener
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah wishes her 87-year-old father, a longtime listener of Mooney Goes Wild and birdwatcher, happy birthday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...
Water pollution rises during summer
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ken Whelan brings us worrying news about two recent oil spills in Laois and Dublin that have caused pollution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
Remembering plastic hurleys
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Derek was a child, he remembers hurleys made from plastic. Tonight, he's rediscovered an RTÉ report from 1977 on the unusual alternative to the ...
Celebrating 100 episodes of RTÉ’s Ecolution podcast
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are big fans of Ecolution, RTÉ’s dedicated podcast about nature and climate action for children and young people presented by 17-year-old Evie K...
Filming the fastest animal on the planet
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Once brought to the very edge of extinction by the effects of a notorious pesticide, the Peregrine Falcon has staged a remarkable comeback. Ornitholog...
Monitoring marine mammals
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Offshore wind farms play an increasing role in Ireland's transition to a zero-carbon economy. But what effect do they have on wildlife? The ESB has de...
Mooney’s Wheel of Wildlife
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Terry, Richard and Niall pit their wits in Mooney's Wheel of Wildlife. Tune in for some fascinating facts about some of the most intriguing species in...
Celebrating the saving of Abbeyleix Bog, 25 years on
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Abbeyleix Bog in Co. Laois is a natural gem, teeming with flora and fauna and a wonderful trail system. Having been rescued from destruction 25 years ...
Carlow Garden Festival
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Carlow Garden Festival will run from Saturday 26th July to Sunday 3rd August at various locations along the Carlow Garden Trail. Eileen O’Rourke...
How did a Leopard become frozen high on Kilimanjaro?
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. In his 1936 short story 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro', Ernest Hemmingway recalled the frozen carcass...
Take part in the Great Irish Fossil Hunt
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Great Irish Fossil Hunt is a new campaign run by the Science Department in University College Cork to encourage the Irish public to find fossils a...
Terry’s portable amber time-capsule
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For the past 20 years, Terry Flanagan has kept a piece of amber in his pocket at all times. This golden pebble of ancient, fossilised tree resin was a...
Magpie missing its tail
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps the most striking thing about a Magpie is its very long tail, which makes these black-and-white members of the crow family instantly identifia...
Bee Safari at Harper’s Island Wetlands Nature Reserve
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On 28th June, Harper's Island Wetlands Nature Reserve in Glounthaune, Co. Cork played host to its first ever Bee Safari, led by avid bee-watcher Colm ...
Giving rare waders a head start in life at Fota Wildlife Park
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Dunlin is a small wading bird which formerly bred in good numbers along Ireland’s west and northern coasts, but has declined by more than 90% in...
BirdWatch Ireland identifies Ireland’s most important areas for seabirds
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On World Seabird Day, 3rd July, BirdWatch Ireland, in conjunction with BirdLife International, published a map showcasing the 73 most important areas ...
Living Among the Puffins on Skellig Michael
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The remote island of Skellig Michael – nó Sceilg Mhichíl as Gaeilge – is a truly magical place. While the monks (and jedis) may be long gone fro...
Cuckoo singing three notes: what’s going on?
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We recently reported on a male Cuckoo that was in the habit of adding an extra note into its song: instead of singing “cuck-oo”, it was singing “...
Looking forward to Ken Whelan’s upcoming documentary about mayflies
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There is much more to mayflies than might meet the eye. They are a source of wonder and fascination for our fisheries scientist Dr Ken Whelan. He join...
Anglers urged to report sightings of Pacific Pink Salmon in Irish rivers
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Native to the waters of the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans, Pink Salmon are not supposed to be present in Ireland. However, this invasive species has...
Sumer is icumen in
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do the Cuckoos of today still sound the same as the Cuckoos of the past? Well, yes, they do. An ancient musical composition from 1250 named 'Sumer is ...
The highlights of Dawn Chorus 2025
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you looking to relax, unwind and immerse yourself in one of the most spectacular phenomena that the natural world has to offer? If so, it’s time...
Bringing back the White-tailed Eagle
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The White-tailed Eagle was widespread in Ireland before extinction in the nineteenth century. An ambitious reintroduction project began in 2007 and th...
Insect Portraits: Capturing the personality of (mostly) Irish Insects
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever encountered an insect portrait photographer? One such person is Dr. Lisa Clancy, whose book 'Insect Portraits: Capturing the personality...
The Birds of County Donegal
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Donegal is a haven for nature, especially birds. A new book published by Cork University Press is bringing that rich birdlife to new audiences. 'The B...
Irritable Owl Syndrome
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We received an email last week from Sabina Davitt, who attached a recording made by her son who lives in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The recording featu...
How to manage elephants in captivity
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, Gerry Creighton (former Operations Manager at Dublin Zoo) popped into the studio to chat to Derek and Richard about the challenges of manag...
Rambling on Rathlin Island
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lying off the Causeway Coast of Co. Antrim, Rathlin Island is famed for its rugged landscape, breathtaking views and rich flora and fauna. Niall paid ...
Questions from Listeners
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The team answer queries about Cuckoos, Woodpeckers and Niall has to guess a bird's song.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What can nature tell us about living together?
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can nature teach human beings a thing or two about living together? 'To Have or To Hold: Nature’s Hidden Relationships' is the latest book by scienc...
The loss of experience in elephant societies
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new study has revealed how the loss of experienced individual elephants from their social groups stops the knowledge transfer between generations. D...
Five fantastic facts about our feathered friends in five minutes
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Were you one of the thousands of people who attended Bord Bia Bloom over the June Bank Holiday period? Derek and the team were there to bring you a ve...
Terry Flanagan is in clover . . . literally!
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland is home to some very rare native plants, and one of the rarest and hardest to find of all is the Burrowing Clover. Wicklow-based naturalist an...
Robins eating slug pellets
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cliodhna Kellegher from Banagher, Co. Offaly, got in touch with us to tell us about an unusual occurrence where a resident pair of Robins have taken a...
The uplifting power of a Blackbird
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
To finish tonight’s programme, we thought we would share with you a truly beautiful and deeply moving account of a chance encounter with a Blackbird...
Cuckoo singing in Co. Wexford . . . but is he too late?
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Listener Ann Gethings kindly sent us a recording made by her brother Marc on his farm in Killaughrim in Caim, Co. Wexford. Marc’s recording features...