Mooney Goes Wild

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.

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. Eric Dempsey tells us about his plans for a special documentary to shed more light on Casement’s natural history ex...

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

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

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. Terry Flanagan and Niall Hatch went along to find out more...See omnystud...

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

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

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

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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.