Mooney Goes Wild

One of the most prominent birds at this time of year in the south of France, both visually and aurally, is the Green Woodpecker. The species is common and widespread across most of Europe, but absent from Ireland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once considered something of a niche interest, a recent survey revealed that 35% of people in Ireland have at least one tattoo. On last week’s programme, we discussed one particularly famous animal-themed tattoo design, the Swallow. To continue this theme, on tonight’s programme we take a look at some other animal and plant-themed tattoos. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Niall happens to be speaking to us from Mandelieu-La Napoule in the Côte d'Azur. It's known as the Mimosa Capital of France...that's the tree rather than the cocktail! Native to southern Australia, the Mimosa is known to botanists as Acacia dealbata, a fast-growing evergreen tree which thrives in dry, sunny climes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Owners of cats or dogs will know that they shed lots of fur. While many deliberately leave this fur in gardens for birds, it may be doing harm. A team of researchers from the University of Sussex has discovered that chemicals used for the treatment of pet fleas and ticks can kill the chicks of songbirds. Dr. Cannelle Tassin de Montaigu joins us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a recent visit to Portugal, Derek spotted a Peacock – or a male Indian Peafowl, to give him his formal title – strutting his stuff in front of a distinctly underwhelmed group of females. While synonomous with peacocks, many other members of the animal kingdom have similar rituals of display and wooing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

February is often referred to as “Snowdrop Month”, as it is the time of year when these delightful flowers burst forth from the soil marking the arrival of spring. Terry Flanagan went to visit Burtown House in Co. Kildare, a Quaker House whose gardens come alive with snowdrops and other flowers each spring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent study revealed that a male Humpback Whale travelled a record-breaking distance, spanning three oceans, in order to find a mate, raising the alarm about how climate change may be affecting the migratory behaviour of these massive denizens of the deep. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On his recent trip to Portugal, Derek noticed a striking ornithological motif while walking the streets and browsing the shops of Lisbon: lots and lots of ornate ceramic Swallows. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1969, George Harrison composed one of the The Beatles' most popular and enduring songs, in celebration of the arrival of spring and the promise of better days to come. As Éanna informs us, it may have “been a long, cold, lonely winter”, but the good news is that the season of spring officially sprung in Ireland on February 1st. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a repeat of today's Nature on One documentary. In it, biologist Terry Flanagan delves into the fascinating world of the red fox. Known for its adaptability and intelligence, it plays a vital role in the ecosystem and offers insight into the delicate balance of nature. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Irish love eggs, consuming hundreds of millions of them each year... but have you ever stopped to wonder what exactly a bird's egg is? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this repeat of a special one-hour Mooney Goes Wild documentary, we delve into the history of Dürer's Rhinoceros. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1872, Maharajah, an Indian elephant, and his keeper, Lorenzo The Lion Tamer Laurence, walked for ten days from Edinburgh to Manchester. In this Nature on One documentary, zoologist Dr. Richard Collins tells the delightful story of Maharajah’s journey. Image courtesy of Manchester Art Gallery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight's programme is a repeat of our Christmas Day special documentary 'Pope Leo's Elephant'. In 1514, King Manuel I of Portugal sent an extraordinary diplomatic gift to Pope Leo X: an Asian Elephant named Hanno. Derek Mooney and Niall Hatch dig deeper into Hanno’s remarkable story in the Eternal City, Rome. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier today, we broadcast a special live programme on Radio One and on the RTÉ News Channel (09.00 - 11.00) and our focus was two of Ireland's most fascinating groups of birds: waders and garden birds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, Jesmond Harding from Butterfly Conservation Ireland was in-studio and brought a surprise guest...the (extremely large) pupal stage of the Death’s-head Hawk-moth. This extremely striking creature is not a common insect in Ireland. Terry Flanagan went to see this incredible creature before it was released into the wild. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All of us here in the Mooney Goes Wild team would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed colleague and friend Éanna Ní Lamhna, who last month was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science by the University of Galway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recently published book that really caught our eyes is On Land and Water by acclaimed wildlife photographer Sheena Jolley. This superb book differs from most of the other nature photography books on the market, in that it incorporates the poetry of the late D.J. O’Sullivan alongside Sheena’s photographs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In her wonderful new book The Keeper of the Bees: Bees and Beekeeping in Irish Folklore, beekeeper’s daughter and a student of folklore Eimear Chaomhánach weaves folktales about bees with her memories of growing up in a beekeeping household, collecting swarms with her father and learning how to harvest honey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mysterious Nightjar is one of Ireland’s most elusive birds. With only sporadic records of breeding over recent decades, the general consensus was that we had effectively lost Nightjars from Ireland. However, a new survey coordinated by BirdWatch Ireland has confirmed that this species still survives in the southeast of the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next, we have the recommendation of Niall Hatch, which, as you might expect, is a book about birds. It’s not a run-of-the-mill bird book, however, rather a tongue-in-cheek look by Matt Kracht at the ways in which our feathered friends can frustrate and irritate even the most dedicated of birdwatchers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last, but by no means least, we bring you Derek's Christmas pick. A great many listeners will have grown up inspired about wildlife by legendary artist, author and broadcaster Don Conroy. His latest book is a timely reminder of the simple wonders of Ireland’s natural environment, with exquisite illustrations and thoughtful words. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Staying with the avian theme, the Christmas recommendation of Richard Collins is a book about one of the most impressive and captivating aspects of ornithology. Written by Tim Birkhead, it is the perfect one-stop-shop for everything you have ever wanted to know about avian reproduction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Christmas, the team here at Mooney Goes Wild likes to bring you some of our recommendations for wildlife-themed gifts for your nearest and dearest. This year, we have chosen to focus on natural history books, with Derek and panel each focusing on their own preferred title and interviewing the authors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next we have the selection of Eric Dempsey, who, in addition to his passion for birds is also a great fan of moths. It’s very fitting, therefore, that his choice of book this Christmas is Meetings with Moths: Discovering their Mystery and Extraordinary Lives by Katty Baird. In it, Katty roams Scotland seeking out, documenting and observing moths. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...