Mooney Goes Wild

Dublin city hosts a secret world of wildlife. When Éanna Ní Lamhna’s 'Wild Dublin: Exploring Nature in the City' was first published in 2009, it explored the surprising natural riches of our capital. Much has changed in 16 years and Éanna has now updated the book to reflect the new species, flora and fauna in the city. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year marks the 37th year of the annual Killarney National Park ‘Autumn Talks Series’, which is set to return this Thursday (October 9th). We speak to long-standing organiser of the annual series of talks, Pádruig O’Sullivan, Conservation Ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The term “birdbrain” should not be seen as an insult. Many bird species exhibit remarkable intelligence and problem-solving skills. The New Caledonian Crow, for example, fashions hooks from twigs and uses these to extract beetle larvae from wood. We examine impressive skills from some of our feathered friends. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most memorable songs in the wonderful musical 'The Sound of Music' – released a shocking 60 years ago! – is about the beautiful Edelweiss flower. It happens to be one of Derek’s favourite songs, but why does he start tonight’s programme by playing it? Keep listening and all will become clear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most striking examples of intelligence, manipulation and cooperation in the avian world concerns the Greater Honeyguide, a species native to Africa that feeds on beeswax. Sanele Nhlabatsi, a researcher from the University of Eswatini, recently led a study about how the species enlist human hunters to help it find food. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Returning to the subject of invasive alien species, it is hard to imagine that some of these species might still be found for sale in some local garden centres around Ireland, but they are according to Noeleen Smyth, Assistant Professor in Environmental and Sustainable Horticulture at UCD.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you are abroad and you see a beautiful plant, you might be tempted to uproot it or collect some seeds, and bring it back to your garden. We have one simple word: DON'T! Éanna Ní Lamhna explains the huge risks of introducing a non-native plant to the ecosystem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, we hear a repeat of Dr. Ken Whelan's documentary on the Mayfly. Something strange is happening with mayfly populations. In this Nature On One special, fisheries scientist Dr Ken Whelan sets out to uncover the truth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sustainable Futures Forum brought together experts in biodiversity, climate action, and education. Terry Flanagan explores Ireland's nature crisis with Seán Ronayne, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Niall Hatch, and meets voices from the EPA, Creative Ireland, and UCC students working across science, policy, and the arts for a sustainable future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Derek and Niall discuss how we can identify different species through their distinctive features and calls, and we answer some of your questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last month, the town of Dungarvan celebrated the unveiling of Crockery Mountain, a 45 foot wide mosaic made from donated cups, plates, bowls and mugs. It was created to encourage sustainability and avoid waste. Terry Flanagan had to pay a visit and he speaks to the artist, Sean Corcoran. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the human world, we know that friendships are important. But a recent report in 'Proceedings of the Royal Society B', show that friendship is an important bond for gorillas studied in Rwanda. One of its authors, Victoire Martignac, tells us more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ireland’s historic Royal Canal, originally built in the late 1700s, is now home to the longest Greenway in the country which extends from Dublin to Longford. Author Tom Dredge speaks to Éanna Ní Lamhna about his new book about the waterway, 'Rambling Along the Royal Canal: A Journey into the Heart of Ireland.'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global Action Plan is an environmental charity that guides people on a journey of discovery to reconnect us with nature and with one another. Terry Flanagan, met with Hans Zomer, CEO of GAP, and Niamh Ní Iceadha, the charity’s Education Officer, in the organisation’s Ballymun GLAS gardens, where they outlined some of their initiatives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the course of the summer, we received lots of positive emails from listeners about improved butterfly numbers. Terry Flanagan met lepidopterist Jesmond Harding of Butterfly Conservation Ireland to find out whether our optimism this year is justified. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BirdWatch Ireland is Ireland’s largest wildlife conservation charity, with a nationwide membership of over 15,000. Those members all receive Wings, the NGO’s main membership magazine, and the children's edition, Bird Detectives. Niall Hatch takes us through the key issues in both magazines this summer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brendan Fitzpatrick sent a voice note to tell us about an interesting music festival. This summer, Co. Wicklow is alive with the sound of Ancient Music in the Forest, a festival celebrating ancient, traditional and early music in the natural forest amphitheatre at Dorlindon Nature Sanctuary, Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ornithologist, author and regular contributor Eric Dempsey has had Sparrowhawks on his mind too. In recent days, a newly fledged hawk has taken up residence close to his house in Co. Wicklow and has literally been screaming loudly for its parents to bring it food. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Among her many credits, Éanna Ní Lamhna is a celebrated and prolific natural history author, with many books under her belt. One of the most popular of those books is 'Wild Dublin – Exploring Nature in the City', which was first published in 2008. Excitingly, Éanna tells us that an updated second edition will soon be published. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two of the most popular urban-dwelling creatures you may encounter at home or during your commute are the Red Fox and the Sparrowhawk. These two species just so happen to be the subjects of one of Ireland's largest street art projects at the Aviva Stadium. Terry, Richard and Niall decided to take a DART to the area to investigate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight’s episode of Mooney Goes Wild is a bit different. We decided to send Terry Flanagan and Niall Hatch off on a very special mission...to travel to Rathfarnham in Dublin and get up close and personal with the nocturnal Irish predators that visit Martin's back garden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breda Kelly wrote to us recently about her garden in Ballinteer, Dublin. She has a diverse garden... but apparently a total lack of bees. In fact, she notes that all other insects are “as rare as hen’s teeth” in her garden. Our panellists discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The forests of Britain and Ireland not only fuelled their indigenous populations, but also the Romans, Anglo Saxons, Vikings and Normans. Tonight, Éanna chats to biologist Jonathan Mullard, who is the author of a recently published book entitled 'Forgotten Forests: Twelve Thousand Years of British and Irish Woodlands'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent development has turned much of what scientists believed about the origin of feathers on its head. We are delighted to speak with Prof. Maria McNamara and Dr Valentina Rossi from UCC’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences about an amazing fossil discovery in France. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.