Mooney Goes Wild

Tonight’s programme is a repeat of Eric Dempsey’s fantastic Nature on One documentary all about his quest to track down one of Ireland’s rarest insects, the White Prominent moth.

For the first time, researchers have provided direct evidence of the role of gut health in wild populations of birds. Researchers at University College Cork recently published their findings in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Lead researcher Shane Somers joins us on the show.

A recent study by botanists at Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in the UK has identified 33 “dark spots” around the world where it is believed thousands of plant species are still waiting to be discovered. Éanna Ní Lamhna spoke to our good friend Dr. Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin in Dublin.

Currently underway, having returned for its seventh year, is Samhain agus Science, an annual science festival organised by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS). Roving reporter Terry Flanagan spoke to Prof. Chris Bean of DIAS.

Individually, Starlings are small, dark birds that at first glance don’t seem particularly special. But when they gather together in massive flocks on winter evenings to perform their aerial ballet, it’s quite a different matter! Tonight, our panel discuss the phenomenon of Starling murmurations.

After working at Dublin Zoo for 36 years, Gerry Creighton continues to advocate and consult on better conditions for elephants worldwide. He speaks to Richard Collins about how best to keep elephants in captivity, or rewild them.

Terry Flanagan was at the launch of Éanna Ní Lamhna's new book, 'The Great Irish Biodiversity Book'. The book, illustrated by Barry Falls, takes the reader through various wildlife habitats - "from bogs to beaches and woodland to grassland".

We check in with Jim Wilson in Cork as there are sightings of Goldfinches, Redwings, Lapwings, Ravens, Hooded crows and Dusky warblers. Then, we speak to Bernie Murphy from Bunclody, Co. Wicklow, who sent in photos of a Little Egret and a Great White Egret.

Two rare Angel Sharks have been successfully tagged and released in Tralee Bay by scientists from the Marine Institute. Due to their physical similarity to the instrument, they are sometimes colloquially called the 'Devil’s Banjo'. Richard Collins speaks to Ross O’Neill, a marine scientist with the Marine Institute.

At this time of year, many animals take full advantage of the feast that the season provides and gather acorns. But it's not just wild animals. Setup in 2021, the Nature Trust is a not-for-profit organisation that organises large-scale acorn collections. Terry Flanagan went to meet their members in Co. Wicklow.

While you're probably aware that birds nest in trees, bushes and cliff edges, did you know that some also nest on the ground? Unfortunately, ground nesting birds are declining faster than any other group. Dr Barry McMahon and his team in the School of Agriculture and Food Science at University College Dublin have conducted a study on this decline.

On Monday October 28th just gone, we brought you a very special documentary called 'The Extraordinary Tale of the White Prominent'. It followed Eric Dempsey's quest to track down one of Ireland’s rarest insects, a moth which until recently was thought to have been extinct in Ireland for over 70 years.

As part of our popular Nature on One series, on Bank Holiday Monday (28th October) we will bring you 'The Extraordinary Tale of the White Prominent' which is presented by naturalist and author Eric Dempsey. We have a sneak preview of it for you.

Next Saturday (25th October) sees a major conference take place in Teagasc Oak Park in Carlow. Entitled 'Future Plant Health Responders', it will deal with topics such as climate-driven pests and pathogens, crop protection and more. Terry Flanagan met with Dr. Aisling Moffet, founder of Entosoc, and Dr. Anna Tiely, chairperson of SIPP.

While Richard was in Manchester, he came upon a story about how a vending machine to dispense food for ducks was to be installed at Burrs Country Park by a local community action group.

Richard was recently in Manchester to visit the Manchester Museum. He was there to see a very special painting by Heywood Hardy called 'The Disputed Toll', which also happens to be the name of a documentary Richard is making for this Christmas. The toll in question was a fascinating elephant called Maharajah.

Niall is just back from the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan. He was there on behalf of BirdWatch Ireland to attend the organisation’s Partnership Meeting for its European and Central Asian region. 45 other BirdLife International partners were also in attendance to discuss conservation strategies, international collaborations and more.

Storm Ashley impacted a great many people across Ireland, but did you know that it also had a remarkable impact on seabirds? Great Shearwaters were seen in unprecedented numbers off the Kerry coast as they took shelter from the storm in Tralee Bay.

'Where the Wild Geese Go', a brand-new 13-part animated documentary series from EZ Films, will premiere on RTÉ Junior on 21st October. Ornithologist Dr. Kendrew Calhoun, scientific advisor to the programme, tells us all about these remarkable geese and the epic journeys they undertake in order to spend the winter with us.

The beautiful Powerscourt Estate, which dates back 800 years, will host a two-day event on November 2nd and 3rd titled 'Wonder of Trees'. Attendance is open to everyone, and there will be tree and biodiversity walks on both days. Terry Flanagan went there to meet head gardener Alex Slazenger.