Mooney Goes Wild

A feasibility study is exploring the culling of invasive Grey Squirrels in Dublin and Wicklow to help native Red Squirrels return to urban areas. Led by Dr Emma Sheehy, the proposal has prompted public consultation and debate over balancing conservation goals with animal welfare concerns. She joins Derek and panel to tell us more about the study...

Donegal Bay is witnessing an exceptional gathering of Basking Sharks, with dozens of the world's second-largest fish feeding, travelling in groups and even breaching near Mullaghmore Head. Mark O’Connor of Donegal Bay Conservation Trust also discusses a visiting Humpback Whale, known as "Humpback 102", now delighting observers in the bay...

Reporter Terry Flanagan visits East Wall in Dublin to meet listener Carol Corri and her unusual garden guest, Paddy the Grey Heron. While herons typically feed on fish, frogs and other aquatic prey, Paddy has developed a taste for chicken legs and rashers, making him a regular and much-loved visitor to Carol’s garden...

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group marks 35 years since Ireland became a whale and dolphin sanctuary. Ireland’s waters host over 25 cetacean species, but threats remain. Dr. Simon Berrow also discusses a rare Gervais’ Beaked Whale stranding in Clare, offering scientists valuable insights into one of the world's least-understood whale species...

Yesterday was the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Midsummer is a vital time for Ireland’s wildlife, with long daylight hours helping plants and animals grow, reproduce and build energy reserves. It’s a season of abundance worth celebrating – though from now on, the days gradually begin to shorten again...

Listener Danny Martin-Carroll sent us in this recording of a Barn Owl he heard outside his home in Co. Wexford...

Terry Flanagan’s busy week continues as he heads to Blainroe Golf Club in Wicklow. Club captain Garry Kennedy brings him around the course to meet his most unusual playing partner — Jake, a remarkably tame Rook who’s made himself part of the golfing routine...

Hedgehog numbers are falling across Europe, with the species now listed as Near Threatened after a 30% decline. In Germany, night-time robot lawnmowers are a major culprit. Dr Anne Berger joins us to explain the injuries they cause, the public backlash, and why banning after-dark mowing could help...

MGW listener Michael in Terenure finally has success with his garden nestbox after ten quiet years — a pair of Blue Tits moved in, built a nest and are now raising their brood on camera. Tonight, reporter Terry Flanagan visits to see the live feed and meet the newest stars of Michael’s garden...

Listener Danny in Wexford shared a recording from his new home after spotting an owl circling overhead at night. The mystery caller turned out to be a Barn Owl seeking a mate — its eerie cries the same sounds that helped inspire Ireland’s famous banshee legend...

Fresh from a BirdLife meetup in Lemnos, Niall Hatch followed some mysterious nighttime squeaks outside his rural hotel — only to discover a baby Long-eared Owl loudly demanding snacks. He filmed the adorable sounds on his phone, and tells us about this exciting encounter...

Niall Hatch is sounding very hoarse tonight — the price of talking non-stop to crowds at BirdWatch Ireland’s buzzing Bloom stand! The effort paid off, with hundreds of new members, and a huge win for Ireland’s biggest conservation charity...

The Burren’s vast limestone, wildflowers and ancient tombs shape a landscape where people and deep history meet. Heritage Keepers Coordinator Mary Dillon of Burrenbeo joins Derek, Richard and Terry to discuss the Burren Archaeology Festival, which takes place from June 20th–21st...

Cruising doesn’t have to mean the Bahamas or Antarctica — there’s magic on our own coast. This evening, ornithologist Jim Wilson joins us from the National Geographic Explorer, currently sailing around the Skelligs in search of Puffins, Gannets and other spectacular seabirds...

Mooney Goes Wild reporter Terry Flanagan meets up with wildlife enthusiast Gustavo Zoladz, who recently discovered two badger setts along the River Dodder in Dublin...

Éanna Ní Lamhna previews a MGW special recorded at Bloom 2026, airing on Bank Holiday Monday, June 1st, in which she explores the festival’s strong biodiversity focus and reflects on her family’s link to the show. She also chats about travelling the country for National Biodiversity Week, and the launch of the new Invasive Species Bureau...

Ireland’s beloved Lapwing, long rooted in folklore and farming, is now on the Red List of endangered species. In this Nature On One special airing at midday on Bank Holiday Monday, June 1st, Karla Goodman explores its cultural role, the threats it faces, and the conservation work that could secure its future...

During the week, we received a voice note from one of our listeners, Sean Murray. He had observed a family of Robins in his garden, with both Mammy Robin and Daddy Robin feeding the little chicks, and wondered - is it usual for Daddy Robins to feed the young? Dr. Richard Collins and Terry Flanagan give their thoughts on Sean's query...

A new series of Derek's TV show, Back From The Brink, began last night on RTÉ One, in which he explores urban wildlife restoration across Europe. Episode two, airing next Sunday, brings us to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork, where Peregrines Macheda and Solomon thrive thanks to conservation work by Sam Bayley and Alan McCarthy...

Whale Watch Ireland 2026 takes place next Saturday, with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group running free expert-led whale- and dolphin-watching events at 18 coastal sites from 17:00–19:00. IWDG Sightings Officer Pádraig Whooley outlines the event’s aims, the importance of sightings data and how listeners can get involved...

Listener Nikola Brady, from Co. Kildare, e-mailed mooney@rte.ie after spotting strange Starling behaviour outside her bedroom window and recording it. Curious, reporter Terry Flanagan visited Nikola to learn more about these scuffling Starlings...

Listener Henrietta Broderick filmed a Honeybee in her Galway garden pacing in tiny circles, releasing a mustard-yellow droplet before continuing. She chats about what she saw, and our panel discuss what the cause of this odd behaviour might be...

Two special performances of The Conference of Birds at the Mill Theatre in Dundrum highlighted the plight of Ireland’s Red-listed birds through theatre, music and art. It was performed by The Elders and Cór na Nóg. Derek, Niall and John MacKenna reflect on the moving show and its BirdWatch Ireland links...

On his way to the RTÉ car park, Derek briefly recoiled after spotting what he assumed was a Brown Rat. Moments later he realised it was actually a Grey Squirrel, and his revulsion disappeared. He asks the panel why his instinctive response to each rodent was so different...

Coral reefs, often called the rainforests of the sea, support a third of visible marine life and host vast hidden biodiversity. A new Nature study reveals living reefs contain previously unknown biomolecules with potential for medicine and biotechnology. Professor Olivier Thomas of University of Galway explains the findings...