Mooney Goes Wild

The Curlew was once a common and familiar sight in the Irish landscape, breeding in upland bogs and traditional meadows in the summer, then flocking to coastal estuaries, beaches and mudflats in the winter. Sadly, today this charismatic bird finds itself threatened with extinction, its population plummeting rapidly.

In this special Mooney Goes Wild programme, Derek snuggles up with the Common Eider.

The White Storks of Rühstädt in Germany - In this special edition of Mooney Goes Wild Derek travels to the picturesque village of Rühstädt in Germany.

The first hour of live birdsong.

The second hour of live birdsong.

The third hour of live birdsong.

Welcome to our annual marathon broadcast of the Dawn Chorus. For six hours here on RTÉ Radio 1 and across Europe with our partners in the European Broadcasting Union we will take you on a magical journey from darkness into light, as the birds wake up and burst into song.

Declan Murphy joins us to talk about his new book - "The Spirit of the River" and he joins us from that same river - the Avonmore near Laragh, County Wicklow.

Eric Dempsey joins Derek to talk about his memoir, 'Don't Die in Autumn' which will be released on the 1st of May as an audiobook.

Terry Flanagan joins Derek from his back garden where he spends a lot of time observing sparrows.

There have been many theories about the stick throwing Hooded Crow at John Reidy's house in Kerry. Joining us this week we have the children of St Mary's Boys National School in Booterstown, Dublin and their teacher Ms. O'Dea.

Derek, Jim Wilson and Niall Hatch look ahead to the Dawn Chorus on Sunday 2nd May 0100-0700 on RTÉ Radio 1.

This week includes Declan Murphy talking about his new book -'The Spirit of the River', Eric Dempsey on his memoir, 'Don't Die in autumn' being produced as an audiobook, Terry Flanagan on Sparrows and Derek talks to Jim Wilson as we look forward to 'Dawn Chorus 2021'.

Dr Simon Berrow, chief scientific officer with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group talks about noise pollution in our oceans and the impact it is having on marine life.

John Reidy gives us an update on the door bashing HOODED CROW at his home in Kerry. Ashling de Barra sent in a video of a Jackdaw taking mouthfuls of hair from a cow's back. Éanna ní Lamhna talk's about her new book OUR WILD WORLD. Dr. Simon Berrow talks about noise pollution in our oceans and the impact it is having on marine life.

On today's show Éanna launches her new book, a crow attacks a glass door with a stick, Ken Whelan talks about rivers, we look at noise pollution in our oceans, we have a look at our cuckoo counting campaign and we take a look at the beautiful raised bog of

We launch out shout out for cuckoos campaign. Join the Mooney goes wild army of citizen scientists. Jim Wilson and Niall Hatch talk about Sand Martins and discuss the benefits of artificial sand breeding banks. Richard & Éanna answer a listeners question about devoted dads in the animal kingdom

This week Derek, Éanna and Richard discuss the Monkey Puzzle tree and they are joined by Director of Fota Wildlife Park - Sean McKeown, Niall Hatch on the rediscovery of the Black Browed Babbler, Fergal Monaghan talks about the Hen Harrier Project, Damien Hannigan on the deer population in the Phoenix Park and Terry Flanagan on feeding birds.

Terry Flanagan reports on Ladybirds. Dublin student Liam Corcoran talks about the photograph he took of a Mandarin Duck which he entered into the RTÉ Eye on Nature competition. Éanna ni Lámhna extols the virtues of National Tree Week 2021. And Derek reworks ‘The Lark Ascending’by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

We take a look at the 12 finalists in the RTÉ EYE ON NATURE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION. Niall Hatch on why birds line their nests with moss, feathers and sheep’s wool and we look ahead to a two part documentary on TG4 about how wildlife faired during lockdown.

At this time of year there is a lovely stretch in the evening, birds are singing and bulbs are sprouting. So we decided to celebrate with the Mooney Goes Wild - Spring into Nature Quiz!

Our team of reporters are primed for action - out and about in various locations around the country and they’re ready to bring us a flavour of what’s happening where they are – in our MOONEY GOES WILD Spring "Night-time Vigil"

Derek, Éanna, Richard & Matthew Jebb discuss why a Snowdrop is called a Snowdrop. Eric Dempsey goes in search of Dublin's Brent Geese. Terry Flanagan on the 'lookdown' hobby that became a small business making birdfeeders. Niall Hatch talks to Tommy Kennedy about Woodpeckers in his garden & Brian Burke on the The 8th International Swan Census.

This week Derek and panel discuss a Baltimore frog invasion, some bestial boredom, back garden bird feeding and skeletal deconstruction in the Natural History Museum.

We talk to Dr Colin Lawton of NUIG about controlling the population of Grey Squirrels using oral contraception. Terry Flanagan talks to Susan O' Donohue about her online children's book GOLDEN WINGS, and Éanna meets Emma Finn who set up a business installing beehives for corporations that want to increase their green credentials.

We hear about plans to transform part of the Dublin mountains to make them more people friendly. We'll update you on our wildlife photography competition which is attracting thousands of entries... And we’ll bring you news of research into kinder ways of counting fish.

Dr Matthew Jebb talks about the Venus Fly trap. Niall Hatch reports from BirdWatch Ireland's East Coast Nature Reserve. We hear about an online course for beginner beekeepers, Terry Flanagan investigates the tale of a sleeping fox in Co. Clare & Eric Dempsey helps Jenny Branigan with her family's venture into the Annual Garden Bird Survey.

On this week's show: the Troubling decline of Curlew numbers in Ireland, myths about birds and why do birds wash themselves? John Reilly with an update on our photographic competition. We talk to Kerri McCrae about her Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary and Terry Flanagan tells us about Nature Studies.

We launch the RTÉ Eye on Nature photographic competition. Jenny Branigan reports on BirdWatch Ireland’s annual garden bird survey. We ask how Ring-neck Parakeets are becoming regular visitors to Irish gardens. We discover the delightful sound of the Robin’s winter song and hear about the success of Barn Owl beatboxes in Cork.

It would be tragic if the Curlew were to disappear from our landscape forever. Urgent conservation work is underway to pinpoint the reasons for the bird’s decline and to develop the most effective ways to save it. In this Mooney Goes Wild special Derek meets some of the conservationists dedicated to saving this iconic species.

Join Terry Flanagan as he documents a year long biodiversity audit of Áras an Uachtaráin.

Join Derek and friends as they look into the intriguing history of the Christmas Tree.

On today's show, our expert panel pose the questions in the Mooney Goes Wild Christmas Quiz. All you need to take part is a pen and paper. The questions and answers will be given during this evening's broadcast.

This is our Christmas gift special – and this year our focus is firmly on books. Today the team will be bringing you a super range of ideas for presents all inspired by the natural world. So sit back and relax as we take you to the MOONEY GOES WILD virtual bookshop.

Éanna Ní Lamhna has a look at hedgerows, John Bela Reilly talks to Melanie Croce who makes the link between tree planting and protecting Ireland's wild seal population, Jenny Branigan takes part in this years BirdWatch Ireland Garden Bird Survey and Derek met up with Kathryn Finney to find out more about The Curlew European Innovation Partnership.

Joining Derek this week we have John 'Bela' Reilly talking about social media and 'Lazarus the Bluetit', RTE's Jamie Doyle on soil film 'Kiss the Ground', Richard Collins and Matthew Jebb on plants tricking predators and prey along with birdsong at train stations and the fascinating eyesight of Kingfishers with Niall Hatch.

Eric Dempsey takes us on a Wader Safari on North Bull Island. Éanna ní Lámhna ventures into Killarney National Park looking for a rare fern. Terry Flanagan with a health check on the Blessington Street Basin Mute Swans. UCC student Debs Allbrook on the effect of 'selfies' on the reproduction rates among Gannets at Great Saltee Island.

Environmental scientist Rowan Byrne give us an update on the Sea-bins in Howth. Dr Elena Dreosti from University College London asks "Is Lockdown loneliness making us loners"? Terry Flanagan on Fallow Deer rutting season and Jonathan Williams from Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz Gemany talks about his research into pigeons.

Topics up for discussion this week include: plant extinction, the Blessington Street Basin swans, killing sharks for Covid, Kilmacurragh Tours and the dangers of wild deer during mating season.

Marine Scientist Ken Whelan on Eels and the Saragossa Sea. Niall Hatch reports on the record breaking Bar-Tailed Godwit. Terry Flanagan answers listeners questions about Hedgehogs and scientists in Iceland discover a mutation in a human gene that makes the smell of fish less intense.

Wolves have suffered from centuries of demonisation – so talk of reintroduction and boosting their populations is inevitably met with resistance – with opponents particularly worried about the threat to livestock.

Fresh water pearl mussels. The Blessington Street swans. The proposed ban on lead shot for use in the hunting wetland birds and the foul mouthed parrots abusing visitors to Lincolnshire wildlife park.

This week Derek and gang take a look at the curious world of parasitic plants, the catastrophic decline of wildlife and the new survey of Clare Island.

On this week's show we take a look at Dragonfly numbers, Northern Fulmars and plastic pollution and Terry takes a look at Moths in Áras an Uachtaráin.

This week we have Skeletal Deconstruction at the Natural History Museum, Bats in Co. Laois and Curlew Chicks on the Shores of Lough Neagh.

Join Derek and friends for a special celebrating Ireland's beautiful waterways.

On today's programme , The language of Butterflies, Wendy Williams tells us about her new book. Terry Flanagan investigates the establishment of PAW an organisation set up to fight wildlife crime in Ireland and we hear about an ambitious project to rehome two captive Beluga Whales from a watery theme park in China to seawater sanctuary in Iceland.

Derek and Dr. Richard Collins embarked on a Linnaean pilgrimage in 2007, visiting Sweden and Holland to make a radio documentary on the great man.

We learn about the Otters on Dublin rivers, how scientists are using satellites to identify colonies of Emperor Penguins in Antarctica, we meet the Irish farmer who says that Dung Beetles are the farmers best friend and white-tailed sea eagle chicks in West Cork.

In this special edition of Mooney Goes Wild Derek travels to the picturesque village of Rühstädt in Germany.

Barry McMahon from UCD on controlling predators, Terry Flanagan spends a 'Day-cation' watching wildlife from a 'commercial' hide on a farm in Ballyfinn Co. Laois and Richard Collins hears about the campaign to ban Trophy Hunting from its founder Eduardo Gonçalves.

We meet the artist whose sculpture of Grey Herons was stolen from Cobh in County Cork. We learn about a new species of Mayfly to Ireland. Prof Emma Teeling on BATS potentially holding the key to unlocking the cure to COVID 19. We hear about a BUZZARD in Co Louth & Terry Flanagan explains why Swans often rest one leg on their back whilst swimming.

Terry reports on the Brown Booby that landed on the beach in Greystones. Derek meets two conservationists from New Zealand who are looking after the Roseate Tern Colony on Rockabill. Dr Richard Collins talks to James Morrissey about his book, THE BEES KNEES and Director of the Botanic Gardens Matthew Jebb on the Oak Processionary Moth.

This is the story of Hope also known as the Wexford Blue Whale which became stranded on Swanton Sandbank at the mouth of Wexford Harbour in 1891.

On today's programme we’re going to celebrate Ireland’s abundance of seabirds. As an island nation we have a coastline that measures 3,171 kilometres – with no fewer than 246 offshore islands – perfect habitats for the 24 species of seabird who breed and raise their young on our spectacular cliffs and islands.

Love them or hate them, there is no denying that Cuckoos are very special birds indeed.Their behaviour and lifecycle is utterly unlike that of any other Irish or European bird, and their song has long been celebrated as the very sound of summer itself.

Derek is joined by Dr. Richard Collins along with ornithologists Niall Hatch and 'The Birdman' Eric Dempsey for a musical special. They are joined by traditional music royalty Donal Lunny & Paddy Glackin for a feast of bird inspired jigs & reels. And Maureen Carr tells us about her extraordinary photograph of a Robin feeding a Cuckoo.

The mystery of the Short Tailed Shearwater that breeds in Australia and Tasmania but one was discovered on a beach in County Waterford. We hear about the damage caused to the marine environment by 'flushable' wet wipes and Terry Flanagan investigates a sparrows nest above the doorway in Sandyford industrial estate.

Terry updates us on the Mute Swan families on the Northside of Dublin. Marine Biologist Emma Ridley talk's about SUPER DIEGO, the giant tortoise in the Galapagos Islands. Niall Hatch & Dr Stephen Newton of BirdWatch Ireland on rat eradication from seabird colonies & Dr Matthew Jebb joins Éanna ní Lámhna in studio to discuss all things botanical.

Derek talks to Jenny Lambert (Sunday World) & Niall Hatch (BirdWatch Ireland) about the MOONEY'S BIRD DETECTIVES booklet. Elaine O'Riordan from NUI Galway talks about a 'Citizen Scientists' hedgehog survey. Terry Flanagan dissects bird poo and Dr Richard Collins talks to Dr Glen Peters about the impact COVID 19 is having on carbon emissions.

Wild Deer during a Pandemic with Damien Hannigan from the Irish Deer Commission, Richard Collins talks about Mute Swans transporting chicks on their backs, Alex Crawford from Sky News on plastic pollution in the Nile & Terry Flanagan goes to St Catherine’s Park in Dublin to observe mating Pigeons.

First broadcast in 2004, in this radio documentary Eric Dempsey looks at the amazing journey of the swallow. The programme looks at the whole life cycle of Irish swallows, from the moment the adults arrive and begin nesting to the laying of the first eggs. It follows the progress of young birds in the nest to their arrival in South Africa.

Dr Richard Collins talks to 'Virus hunter' Professor Stephen Baker about Pandemics. Lorcan O'Toole of the Golden Eagle Trust, tells us about the recent illegal mass poisoning of BUZZARDS in Cork & Terry Flanagan reports on sightings of Terrapins in the Royal Canal.

Derek, Richard Collins and Niall Hatch discuss Imprinting in Mute Swans. We hear about Hedgehog mortality on our motorways and exploring Ireland's landscape, Carlow based playwright & novelist John MacKenna takes us for a stroll down the 'lane' where he lives.

Derek, Niall and Richard discover Little Egrets on the River Dodder, explore the unusual feeding habits of the Eleonora's Falcon, discuss the impacts of COVID 19 on primates and we pay tribute to UCC on the tenth anniversary of the College being awarded a Green Flag.

On Mooney Goes Wild this week we look at an Eaglecam in Glengarriff, Terry visits a city farm in Dublin, a Swan attack on the Royal Canal in Dublin and Richard talks to Paul Martyn Cooper about Nature's Explorers.

Derek chats with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland about the Blue tit nest box in Derek's garden and the different nesting strategies adopted by birds. Dr Richard Collins explores the Easter Bunny and we invite listeners to download the Dawn Chorus recording made by Derek at Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve, Cobh, Co. Cork in May 2019

Derek chats with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland about the Blue tit nest box in Derek's garden and the different nesting strategies adopted by birds.

Dr Richard Collins explores the Easter Bunny, in a feature first broadcast in April 2006.

In this special Mooney Goes Wild programme, Derek snuggles up with the Common Eider.

On this week's show: Éanna talks about National Tree Week, Re-introducing the European Crane to Donegal, Brigid's Black Headed Gulls and 5 million Bee's in Athlone.

National Tree Week has been postponed but that didn't get in the way as Éanna always likes to talk about trees.

Derek is joined by Killian McLaughlin, who’s added two pairs of European Crane to the Wild Ireland Reserve in Inishowen.

Brigid Barron recorded some Black Headed Gulls recently in Co Clare just before a storm.

Ruairi O'Leochain's ambition is to introduce no fewer than five million bees to an area around Athlone. Derek recently met Ruairi at his apiary on the outskirts of the town.

The Better Ballymun Day of Action recently occurred and we sent John 'Bela' Reilly along to find out more.

Joining Derek this week we have: Éanna Ní Lamhna, Dr. Richard Collins, Paul O'Brien from the Federation of Irish Beekeepers, translocating Hares with Terry Flanagan and Con Farrell and John Lusby on the rediscovery of Nightjars in Munster.

About a third of Ireland’s 21 species are critically endangered and their loss would trigger a wider emergency for food production, and indeed wildlife. Paul O’Brien is President of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers and he joins us from our Galway studio.

A couple of years ago Terry Flanagan went to Dublin Airport with wildlife conservationist Con Farrell and his team where they rounded up a number of Hares which were then translocated away to new habitats. Earlier this week Terry met up with Con again in Wicklow to see how they got on.

John Lusby, Conservation Officer at Birdwatch Ireland joins Derek in studio to tell us that its forgotten and fabled call was heard again recently.

On this weeks show Derek looks ata female Hen Harrier dead in Meath, Terry with some bird feeding in Julianstown and Cappabue National School have their say on the environment.

A female Hen Harrier with a tracking device has been found dead in a field in Meath. Niall Hatch - Development Officer with BirdWatch Ireland joins Derek in studio – and they are also joined on the line from Galway by Ryan Wilson-Parr. Ryan is doing a PhD on the conservation of the Hen Harrier in GMIT.

Niamh Ní Loinsigh from Julianstown in Co. Meath – has been in touch to tell us about how she feeds the birds in her garden. Terry Flanagan went along to find out more.

The children from Cappabue National School were so appalled by what they found on the beach while participating in a clean up of local beaches – that they turned the marine waste into an art project – and were spurred into writing a song and make a video about it.

Mark Eilliot of the Devon Wildlife Trust joins Derek from Plymouth accompanied by Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer from a remote log cabin in Aberdeenshire. And joining Derek in studio Ferdia Marnell, Head of Animal Ecology at the National Parks and Wildlife Service, who tells us about the Irish angle, or indeed LACK of an Irish angle on this story.

Berwick's Swan numbers have dropped from a couple of thousand in the 1980's to just 21 five years ago. This decline is primarily due to climate change as they normally migrate from Russia - but are now staying closer to home due to warmer temperatures. Brian Burke of BirdWatch Ireland believes that it’s inevitable now that we will lose them.

Terry Flanagan went out to Powerstown Educate Together National School in West Co. Dublin, where he met up with teacher Luke Cape and his 5th class students.

As wildfires continue to rage in Australia - we measure the devastating toll they’re taking on the country’s ecosystem.And a new book celebrates the majestic elephant and laments its future. And Terry Flanagan looks for mushrooms in the Phoenix Park. Derek is joined in studio by Éanna Ní Lamhna and Dr. Richard Collins.

Errol Fuller who is an acclaimed writer, painter and world authority on animal extinction. He’s also the author of “Elephant” – a new book which celebrates these glorious animals – and sounds a loud warning bell for their future.