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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Fionnuala contacted us about the possibility woodpeckers in Naas, doing damage to a cherry blossom tree in her garden. So why is it that woodpeckers sustain head damage when drumming? Niall, Eanna and Richard explain...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. The programme was filmed by Donal Glackin, and you can listen to and watch the full show here: https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/mooney/2026/0102/15...

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Niall Hatch explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 on books featured, see rte.ie/mooneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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..See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.