Mooney Goes Wild

The latest book from naturalist and author Conor W. O’Brien, entitled The Living and the Dead, is an account of his travels both to seek the traces of Ireland’s extinct wildlife and to discover our country’s greatest conservation success stories. He joins us tonight to explain more...

On Bank Holiday Monday, Feb 2nd, RTÉ Radio 1 will celebrate The Great Big Garden Birdwatch, as our experts feature across programmes on the station throughout the day. The highlight will be our Nature On One Garden Bird Special at 12 noon. Jim Wilson joins us to tell us what we might expect to see on his garden bird feeder live stream...

Our colleague Rory Cobbe sent us a video of a pod of 6 Common Dolphins swimming in the River Lee in Cork. We speak to Dr. Simon Berrow, CEO of the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group, about the increase in Common Dolphin numbers in Irish waters over the past decade...

MGW listener and 6th Year Belvedere student Yuming Lian sent us some fantastic photos of Kingfishers that he had taken recently, and posed some questions for our panel about their feeding habits, which prompts plenty of discussion on tonight’s programme...

Ecologist Donna Mullen bought a farm with the intention of converting it into a haven for flora and fauna. She created Golashane Nature Reserve, which is home to hundreds of plants, birds, mammals, insects and amphibians. Reporter Terry Flanagan, recently travelled to the reserve to see for himself what Donna has achieved...

Meerkats are highly social and inquisitive mammals hailing from southernmost Africa that just so happen to have an endearingly human-like appearance that many of us find extremely cute. You might think you already know a lot about them, but as Derek, Jim, Eric and Niall discuss on tonight’s programme, there is more to Meerkats than meets the eye...

Listener Ger Deering from Co. Wexford got in touch with us about a Great Spotted Woodpecker that has taken to pecking loudly, not on wood, but rather on the PVC facia of his house. Ger has had to spend considerable money and time repairing the damage and would like to know whether there is anything he can do to deter the misguided bird...

Listener Fionnuala contacted us about the possibility of woodpeckers in Naas, doing damage to a cherry blossom tree in her garden. And why is it that woodpeckers don't sustain head damage when drumming? Niall, Eanna and Richard explain...

The Natural History Museum in Dublin, known fondly as the 'Dead Zoo', is currently closed for refurbishment works. So where have the animals and exhibits gone? Reporter Terry Flanagan met with curator Emma Murphy to find out...

Dr. Megan Power from UCD joins us to tell us about her research on Greater Horseshoe Bats, and whether it's better for bats to breed earlier or later in life...

On Jan. 2nd, we broadcast a special edition of Mooney Goes Wild from Harper's Island Wetlands Nature Reserve in County Cork, where Derek, Jim Wilson, Niall Hatch and Decland Murphy took a close-up look at the remarkable world of wintering wetland birds. It was filmed by Donal Glackin, and you can watch it here https://tinyurl.com/4uza4h65.

Derek, Richard, Niall and Eanna are joined by Sweden-based Irish journalist Philip O'Connor to chat about edible road salt, wild animals in traffic and the Great Moose Migration! For more, see rte.ie/mooney.

Over 20 years ago, German nurse Carsten Krieger moved to Ireland and became captivated by bogs near his home. After decades researching and photographing peatlands, he wrote 'Ten Thousand Years Deep: The Story of Ireland’s Peatlands'. Michele Browne met him at Griston Bog, Co. Limerick...

After a recent report of a grey seal in Dublin’s River Liffey, listener Barry McCarthy shared evidence of seals hauling themselves over the Islandbridge weir. He even filmed it with his kids. Éanna returns to discuss Barry’s observations and how well seals move on land...

Ireland holds some of the world’s oldest and rarest animal fossils. Terry Flanagan and Prof. Maria McNamara explored fossils in Clonmel’s courthouse and told us about the Great Irish Fossil Hunt. Listeners responded, including Barbara Doyle, who found urban fossils in St Peter’s Church, Phibsborough, in Dublin...

While filming in Ljubljana recently, Derek discovered a project boosting urban biodiversity: 56 bus shelters have been greened with native, drought-resistant plants. Led by the University of Ljubljana with city partners, the initiative supports insects and wildlife. Derek spoke to project lead Dr Blanka Ravnjak...

Most European bats eat insects, but one hunts birds. Researchers led by Aarhus University found the Greater Noctule catching small songbirds mid-air. Tagged bats revealed a three-minute chase of a night-flying robin, which was caught, dismembered and eaten, as Niall Hatch explains...

A book at Christmas is a moment of calm, so we're encouraging you (and your small ones!) to take a break from the screens, and relax into a book all about the natural world. We have asked our regular contributors to pick a book that they think might be of interest to you, or your nearest and dearest... For all details, see rte.ie/mooney

The Irish Garden Bird Survey, carried out by conservation charity BirdWatch Ireland, is Ireland’s largest nature-themed "citizen science" project. This winter’s survey season – its 37th – begins today, and as Niall Hatch tells us, it's a great way to learn more about the birds that come to your home...

MGW listener Des McLoughlin contacted us about a Cormorant on the River Dodder in Dublin, which was holding out its wings while standing bolt upright, flapping them back and forth - but why? Derek and panel discuss...

Listeners Michael and Sinéad Judd were walking recently along Dublin’s River Liffey towards Chapelizod and were astonished to see what they believe to be a seal swimming in the water. Could it be a seal?

BirdWatch Ireland's Cork Branch are streaming a live video feed from Harper's Island Wetlands Nature Reserve near Glounthaune, Co. Cork. Our man in Cork and a person who was instrumental in setting up both the reserve and the livestream, Jim Wilson, tells us more...

The Unnatural History of Animals: Tales from a Zoological Museum by Dr Martyn Linnie, curator of Trinity College Dublin’s Zoological Museum, brings to life the many tales of the museum’s history and that of its permanent residents. Richard Collins spoke to Dr. Linnie to find out more...

We were sent a video by Senan and Quinn taken near Lough Dan in Co. Wicklow. It shows an unfortunate Red Squirrel that has somehow completely lost its tail, usually the most striking feature of a squirrel. What might have happened to it, they ask, and will the poor creature survive?

Listener Mary O'Reilly got in touch to tell us about the ever-increasing number of hooded crows who come to her in St. Anne's Park, Dublin, as she walks her dog each week. Intrigued, we sent reporter Terry Flanagan along to find out more...

MGW researcher Michele Browne recently met arborist Bernard Carey in Mountshannon, Co. Clare; they discussed his Treeconomics report about the financial value of trees. They also visited Ireland’s largest oak tree, the Be Binn, and spoke with Aileen Dunne of local business Oak House Ceramics...

The 5th edition of the bestselling photographic field guide 'Dragonflies of Britain and Ireland' has just been published; we speak to co-author David Smallshire about the fascinating lives of these amazing insects..

The advice on bird feeding from BirdWatch Ireland is that it is still perfectly safe to feed birds in your garden, noting that, unlike birds packed together in seabird colonies or wetlands, the species of bird that typically visit gardens are very unlikely to come into contact with the H5N1 virus. Niall Hatch explains why...

Thanks to the stalwart efforts of Ulster Wildlife, the Northern Irish conservation charity, Puffins have returned to nest on the Isle of Muck off the coast of Co. Antrim for the first time in 25 years. This was made possible in part by the systematic eradication of non-native Brown Rats from the tiny island...

The celebrated Irish patriot Roger Casement was also a dedicated and talented naturalist, a side of his life that is perhaps less well known today. Many of the biological specimens he collected on his extensive travels can still be found in the Natural History Museum in Dublin today, as Eric Dempsey explains...

Domain of the Dinosaurs is the biggest fossil exhibition ever held in Ireland, and the first to feature Irish dinosaurs. Recently launched at The Glucksman art gallery in UCC, it will feature over 5 tonnes of material, including nine huge skeletal casts and over 250 real fossils of dinosaurs and other long-extinct creatures...

Derek is joined in studio by Eanna, Niall and Richard, who start the show with a fascinating discussion about how plants and other organisms influence evolution and the very course of life on our planet, including whether trees are responsible for the fingerprints of humans, chimps and koalas!

Recently opened, Domain Of The Dinosaurs is the biggest fossil exhibition ever held in Ireland, and the first to feature Irish dinosaurs. Housed at the Glucksman at UCC, it features over 5 tonnes of material, including nine huge skeletal casts and over 250 real fossils of dinosaurs and other long-extinct creatures...

The beauty of autumn leaves changing colour has been captured by An Post, thanks to its new seasonal stamp issue. Changing Leaves features three native species: Silver Birch, Rowan and Hawthorn. Terry Flanagan met with botanical artist Yanny Petters, who created the leaf images, and An Post's Anna McHugh, to find out more...

Jim Wilson reports from Cork Harbour on the unexpected appearance of a new species of wire-like seaweed on the local mudflats; he talks to renowned Cork-based biologist Pat Smiddy, about this invasive alien species – the catchily named Agarophyton vermiculophyllum...

In her new book The Genius of Trees, British tree science consultant Harriet Rix informs readers about the many things we owe to these remarkable plants that most of us never think about. Éanna Ní Lamhna spoke to Harriet about how trees have literally transformed our planet and their enormous influence on the ongoing evolution of life on Earth...

Classified as Red listed and a bird of high conservation value, The Ring Ouzel is thought to be down to a handful of breeding pairs in Ireland. Ornithologist Eric Dempsey reveals the story of this elusive species and the efforts being made to protect its fragile habitat.

Tonight, Terry Flanagan takes listeners beneath the surface of the International Basking Shark Conference, held at the Atlantic Technological University in Galway. The August event brought together scientists, conservationists, and ocean advocates from five continents.

Earlier today, a very special documentary was broadcast on RTÉ Radio One as part of our Nature on One series. Presented by Eric Dempsey, its subject was one of Ireland’s most critically endangered breeding bird species: the Ring Ouzel, a close relative of the much more familiar Blackbird.

Our good friend Collie Ennis, Biodiversity Officer with Trinity College Dublin, was in touch recently to inform us of something unusual...a walnut struck him on the head! Rather than fall from a tree, the walnut had apparently been dropped by a Hooded Crow. Terry Flanagan went to investigate.

Proud Corkonian Jim Wilson is a man who feels very much at home on the open waves. Back in July, Jim travelled to Castlehaven Harbour to go night kayaking with Naoise and Jim Kennedy from Atlantic Sea Kayaking. He recorded a truly captivating report for tonight’s programme.

Of all of the ornithological surveys carried out by conservation charity BirdWatch Ireland, its annual Irish Garden Bird Survey is far and away the most popular. This winter’s survey season – its 37th – will kick off on Monday 1st December and will run until the end of February 2026.

BirdWatch Ireland's Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve in Cork has just added dedicated roosting islands for the wetland birds to sleep and shelter. Ornithologist Jim Wilson joins the programme to explain the additions.

Very sadly, a migratory species of wading bird called the Slender-billed Curlew has formally been declared globally extinct by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and BirdLife International. Eric Dempsey talks about the lost bird and previews his upcoming documentary on The Ring Ouzel.

Tonight’s programme opens with Derek rifling through the entire back catalogue of Swedish pop sensation ABBA for one of their earliest songs - Ring Ring. They make a surprise call to listener Elizabeth Carney in Sligo but only get her answering machine!

Listener Robert Brown sent us a photo of a robin with a crooked beak and we finally get through to Elizabeth Carney, who has questions about groups of crows on a beach and sandhoppers.

2025 marks the 5th anniversary of The Hare’s Corner, a Burrenbeo Trust initative that helps landowners create space for nature through new habitats. Terry Flanagan went to Staffordstown in Meath to meet farmers Michael and Penelope Monaghan, Hare’s Corner advisor Donna Mullen, and Michael’s mum Walburga, who tunes in to us weekly at the age of 107!

The Edward Worth Library is a rare books collection, bequeathed to Dr Steevens’ Hospital, Dublin, by Dr Edward Worth. It recently launched a web exhibition 'Birds at the Edward Worth Library' and Éanna Ní Lamhna was the speaker. Terry Flanagan went along to see this hidden treasure.

Listener Martin Murray from Waterford sent us in some lovely photos of a Glossy Ibis feeding. Ornithologist Eric Dempsey explains this interesting bird.

Though rarely seen, owls play a quiet but vital role in Ireland's ecosystem. The next featured talk in Killarney National Park's 'Autumn Talks Series 2025' will be 'The Secret Lives of Owls in Ireland'. Alan McCarthy, Barn Owl Project Officer with Birdwatch Ireland, will give the talk.