Mooney Goes Wild

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 recent years. Efforts are underway to stem this sharp decline and we speak to Jess Hodnett, a Ranger at Fota Wildlife Park and a member of the Dunlin headstarting team. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On World Seabird Day, 3rd July, BirdWatch Ireland, in conjunction with BirdLife International, published a map showcasing the 73 most important areas for seabirds in Ireland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Damery. Jim Wilson was on hand and recorded an interview with Colm for tonight’s programme. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 and to submit photographs of their discoveries. Terry Flanagan travelled to Co. Tipperary to view fossils with Maria McNamara, Professor of Palaeontology at UCC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 gift from his wife Angela, and he is never without it. On tonight’s programme, we chat about amber, its unusual properties and what it can reveal about the biological history of our planet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 identifiable. But recently, Derek spotted one on the RTÉ campus completely lacking tail feathers. What could have caused it to lose its tail, and will it be OK?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 joins Richard and Derek to talk about his upcoming documentary on the Mayfly which will be broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 at 15:00 on Bank Holiday Monday (August 4th).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 icumen in' features a vocal representation of a Cuckoo. Ian Pittaway, accomplished singer and expert in early music, speaks to us about the song and gives us his rendition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 been spreading in the North Atlantic and has reached Ireland. Dr. Ken Whelan discusses their impact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 from the island, it still teams with life, particularly seabirds like the Puffin. Niall recently visited the famous monastic settlement and tells us all about the experience. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 “cuck-oo-oo”. This prompted listener Pierce Ryan to get in touch with us to proffer his own theory. On tonight’s programme, we investigate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 to set your ears free and relive the magic of Mooney Goes Wild’s seven-hour live broadcast of the Dawn Chorus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 features several drawn-out squeals from Long-eared Owl chicks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The White-tailed Eagle was widespread in Ireland before extinction in the nineteenth century. An ambitious reintroduction project began in 2007 and these magnificent birds are breeding here once more. Christopher O’Sullivan, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, has travelled to Norway to oversee collecting more chicks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever encountered an insect portrait photographer? One such person is Dr. Lisa Clancy, whose book 'Insect Portraits: Capturing the personality of (mostly) Irish insects' has just been published by Mayo Books Press. Lisa speaks to Éanna Ní Lamhna about these vital, fascinating and often misunderstood invertebrates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Birds of County Donegal' is the work of legendary local ornithologist Ralph Sheppard. Eric Dempsey recently attended the launch of the book in beautiful Glenveagh National Park where he met Ralph. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 science communicator Sophie Pavelle and she spoke to Éanna about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 a visit to Rathlin Island in order to find out more about its captivating natural history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The team answer queries about Cuckoos, Woodpeckers and Niall has to guess a bird's song. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Gerry Creighton (former Operations Manager at Dublin Zoo) popped into the studio to chat to Derek and Richard about the challenges of managing elephants in captivity, the conservation pressures that these massive mammals face in the wild and how to reduce conflicts between humans and elephants. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 the unmistakable sounds of a male Cuckoo in song . . . but was this Cuckoo late? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 and author Declan Murphy met up with Terry Flanagan on the banks of the River Vartry to find it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 that was sent to us by listener Nuala McLoughlin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study has revealed how the loss of experienced individual elephants from their social groups stops the knowledge transfer between generations. Dr Lucy Bates (who led the research) from the University of Portsmouth’s Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 real fancy to the slug pellets that she puts out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.