RTÉ - Mooney Goes Wild

There is much more to mayflies than might meet the eye. They are fascinating creatures with a complex lifecycle that is largely hidden from human eyes. Regular contributor Dr Ken Whelan has made a special documentary on them which went out on August 4th and can be heard on the website.

The Flapper Skate is the largest species of skate in the world, clocking in at up to 2.5 metres in length. Sadly, they have been classified globally as “critically endangered”. In May, two Flapper Skates washed ashore in Co. Mayo and Louise Overy, Wildlife Biology Lecturer at Munster Technical University, was able to study it.

From August 29- 31 2025, the International Conference on Basking Sharks will take place at Atlantic Technological University in Galway. Dr Simon Berrow of the Irish Basking Shark Group looks forward to the conference and tells us more about the amazing Basking Shark, which is the second-largest species of fish in the world.

Every July, the English county of Rutland plays host to the Global Birdfair, the world's largest annual celebration of birds. Naturally, Niall Hatch was in attendance and is here to tell us more about the event and play some interviews he did with Ryan Chenery and Chandika Jayaratne.

Finally on tonight's programme, Karla Goodman gives us an update on Garrylucas Marsh (also known as Kilcolman Bog) in West Cork, which featured in our colleague Michele Browne's Custodians of Ireland series on RTÉ Radio One.

Ken Whelan brings us worrying news about two recent oil spills in Laois and Dublin that have caused pollution.

Sarah wishes her 87-year-old father, a longtime listener of Mooney Goes Wild and birdwatcher, happy birthday.

We recently received an email from Joan Mulvany in West Cork, and it contained videos of a mother and baby bat. The panel discuss bats in Ireland before Terry's report on a Bat Hospital in Limerick, run by Susan Kirwan

Ash Dieback Disease has become a significant blight on the tree and is affecting supply for hurleys. However, research from Kew Gardens may give hope. Éanna speaks to Professor Richard Buggs, Senior Research Leader at Kew Gardens.

When Derek was a child, he remembers hurleys made from plastic. Tonight, he's rediscovered an RTÉ report from 1977 on the unusual alternative to the traditional ash stick.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. In his 1936 short story 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro', Ernest Hemmingway recalled the frozen carcass of a Leopard discovered near its peak. Tonight, Richard ponders what caused this particular big cat to venture so high?

Terry, Richard and Niall pit their wits in Mooney's Wheel of Wildlife. Tune in for some fascinating facts about some of the most intriguing species in the world.

Offshore wind farms play an increasing role in Ireland's transition to a zero-carbon economy. But what effect do they have on wildlife? The ESB has developed a dedicated Marine Mammal Observer programme and Terry Flanagan went to meet Jo Green (observer) and Niru Dorrian (Senior Ecology Co-ordinator) in Dublin Bay.

Once brought to the very edge of extinction by the effects of a notorious pesticide, the Peregrine Falcon has staged a remarkable comeback. Ornithologist Jim Wilson has been filming the comings and goings of a pair of Peregrine Falcons currently nesting high on Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral in Cork City.

We are big fans of Ecolution, RTÉ's dedicated podcast about nature and climate action for children and young people presented by 17-year-old Evie Kenny. To celebrate its upcoming 100th episode, we are joined by its producer Nicky Coghlan.

The Carlow Garden Festival will run from Saturday 26th July to Sunday 3rd August at various locations along the Carlow Garden Trail. Eileen O'Rourke of Carlow Tourism tells us what to look forward to.

Abbeyleix Bog in Co. Laois is a natural gem, teeming with flora and fauna and a wonderful trail system. Having been rescued from destruction 25 years ago, there will be a celebratory Abbeyleix Bog Festival from July 24th to 27th.

Perhaps the most striking thing about a Magpie is its very long tail, which makes these black-and-white members of the crow family instantly identifiable. But recently, Derek spotted one on the RTÉ campus completely lacking tail feathers. What could have caused it to lose its tail, and will it be OK?

The Dunlin is a small wading bird which formerly bred in good numbers along Ireland's west and northern coasts, but has declined by more than 90% in recent years. Efforts are underway to stem this sharp decline and we speak to Jess Hodnett, a Ranger at Fota Wildlife Park and a member of the Dunlin headstarting team.

For the past 20 years, Terry Flanagan has kept a piece of amber in his pocket at all times. This golden pebble of ancient, fossilised tree resin was a gift from his wife Angela, and he is never without it. On tonight's programme, we chat about amber, its unusual properties and what it can reveal about the biological history of our planet.

The Great Irish Fossil Hunt is a new campaign run by the Science Department in University College Cork to encourage the Irish public to find fossils and to submit photographs of their discoveries. Terry Flanagan travelled to Co. Tipperary to view fossils with Maria McNamara, Professor of Palaeontology at UCC.

On 28th June, Harper's Island Wetlands Nature Reserve in Glounthaune, Co. Cork played host to its first ever Bee Safari, led by avid bee-watcher Colm Damery. Jim Wilson was on hand and recorded an interview with Colm for tonight's programme.

On World Seabird Day, 3rd July, BirdWatch Ireland, in conjunction with BirdLife International, published a map showcasing the 73 most important areas for seabirds in Ireland.

There is much more to mayflies than might meet the eye. They are a source of wonder and fascination for our fisheries scientist Dr Ken Whelan. He joins Richard and Derek to talk about his upcoming documentary on the Mayfly which will be broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 at 15:00 on Bank Holiday Monday (August 4th).

Native to the waters of the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans, Pink Salmon are not supposed to be present in Ireland. However, this invasive species has been spreading in the North Atlantic and has reached Ireland. Dr. Ken Whelan discusses their impact.

The remote island of Skellig Michael – nó Sceilg Mhichíl as Gaeilge – is a truly magical place. While the monks (and jedis) may be long gone from the island, it still teams with life, particularly seabirds like the Puffin. Niall recently visited the famous monastic settlement and tells us all about the experience.

We recently reported on a male Cuckoo that was in the habit of adding an extra note into its song: instead of singing “cuck-oo”, it was singing “cuck-oo-oo”. This prompted listener Pierce Ryan to get in touch with us to proffer his own theory. On tonight's programme, we investigate.

Do the Cuckoos of today still sound the same as the Cuckoos of the past? Well, yes, they do. An ancient musical composition from 1250 named 'Sumer is icumen in' features a vocal representation of a Cuckoo. Ian Pittaway, accomplished singer and expert in early music, speaks to us about the song and gives us his rendition.

Are you looking to relax, unwind and immerse yourself in one of the most spectacular phenomena that the natural world has to offer? If so, it's time to set your ears free and relive the magic of Mooney Goes Wild's seven-hour live broadcast of the Dawn Chorus.

We received an email last week from Sabina Davitt, who attached a recording made by her son who lives in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The recording features several drawn-out squeals from Long-eared Owl chicks.

The White-tailed Eagle was widespread in Ireland before extinction in the nineteenth century. An ambitious reintroduction project began in 2007 and these magnificent birds are breeding here once more. Christopher O'Sullivan, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, has travelled to Norway to oversee collecting more chicks.

Donegal is a haven for nature, especially birds. A new book published by Cork University Press is bringing that rich birdlife to new audiences. 'The Birds of County Donegal' is the work of legendary local ornithologist Ralph Sheppard. Eric Dempsey recently attended the launch of the book in beautiful Glenveagh National Park where he met Ralph.

Have you ever encountered an insect portrait photographer? One such person is Dr. Lisa Clancy, whose book 'Insect Portraits: Capturing the personality of (mostly) Irish insects' has just been published by Mayo Books Press. Lisa speaks to Éanna Ní Lamhna about these vital, fascinating and often misunderstood invertebrates.

Lying off the Causeway Coast of Co. Antrim, Rathlin Island is famed for its rugged landscape, breathtaking views and rich flora and fauna. Niall paid a visit to Rathlin Island in order to find out more about its captivating natural history.

The team answer queries about Cuckoos, Woodpeckers and Niall has to guess a bird's song.

Can nature teach human beings a thing or two about living together? 'To Have or To Hold: Nature's Hidden Relationships' is the latest book by science communicator Sophie Pavelle and she spoke to Éanna about it.

Last week, Gerry Creighton (former Operations Manager at Dublin Zoo) popped into the studio to chat to Derek and Richard about the challenges of managing elephants in captivity, the conservation pressures that these massive mammals face in the wild and how to reduce conflicts between humans and elephants.

Were you one of the thousands of people who attended Bord Bia Bloom over the June Bank Holiday period? Derek and the team were there to bring you a very special live edition of Mooney Goes Wild. Here's one of the highlights: Niall Hatch gives five fantastic facts about feathered friends in five minutes!

Listener Ann Gethings kindly sent us a recording made by her brother Marc on his farm in Killaughrim in Caim, Co. Wexford. Marc's recording features the unmistakable sounds of a male Cuckoo in song . . . but was this Cuckoo late?

Cliodhna Kellegher from Banagher, Co. Offaly, got in touch with us to tell us about an unusual occurrence where a resident pair of Robins have taken a real fancy to the slug pellets that she puts out.

Ireland is home to some very rare native plants, and one of the rarest and hardest to find of all is the Burrowing Clover. Wicklow-based naturalist and author Declan Murphy met up with Terry Flanagan on the banks of the River Vartry to find it.

A new study has revealed how the loss of experienced individual elephants from their social groups stops the knowledge transfer between generations. Dr Lucy Bates (who led the research) from the University of Portsmouth's Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, explains.