In this Mooney Goes Wild documentary, biologist Terry Flanagan discovers why the dandelion deserves our respect.

The Dandelion

Biologist Terry Flanagan dispels the myths and highlights the important roles which bats play in the ecosystem. He also meets the dedicated teams of volunteers that work tirelessly on behalf of these oft-misunderstood creatures.

Bats

Author, Katie Holten, is an Artist and Activist, born in Ireland and now living in New York City and Ardee, Co. Louth. She joins us to tell us more about the inspirations behind her new book ' The Language of Trees.

The Language of Trees

Bridget Kinsella, a listener from Co. Wexford approached Derek at Bloom  to tell him all about a new avian arrival that she filmed visiting the hanging bird-feeders in her garden. The bird in question is a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

What can we tell from the red on a woodpecker’s head?

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna &amp; Niall Hatch, Declan Murphy,  Artist and Activist Katie Holten and Eamonn Meskell, who heads up the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Project. Topics for discussion include; Áras an Uachtaráin garden party, Woodpeckers, Language of Trees and bringing lost birds of prey home.

Mooney Goes Wild 

Eamonn Meskell, who heads up the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Project, tells us about the efforts that have been made to return these magnificent creatures – Ireland’s largest native bird of prey – to their rightful place in our landscape.

Bringing once-lost birds of prey home to roost

President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina host a series of garden parties in the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin for community group and Éanna Ní Lamhna tells Derek all about the experience and how she relished the chance to attend in all her finery.

Partying the afternoon away at Áras an Uachtaráin

Derek spoke to Sam Bailey from the National Park and Wildlife Service about the migration route of the Cuckoo.

Cuckoo Migration

Éanna outlines how the New Zealand Government has embarked on a campaign to eliminate these non-native mammals from as many of their country’s key conservation zones as possible, with a view to making more habitats free of alien predators.

Exterminating non-native predators: can it work?

Derek is joined by Richard Collins &amp; Éanna Ní Lamhna, Sam Bailey from the National Park and Wild Life Service, Simon Berrow, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group ,James Garvey, the Owner of Rossnowlagh Surf School in Co. Donegal and RTÉ Sound Engineer Síle Ni Bhaoil. Topics to discuss, exterminating predators, Cuckoo's and Whales.

Derek Mooney and guests explore the natural world in all its forms. Listen live every Monday at 10pm on RTÉ Radio 1.

While Derek and Éanna were recording tonight’s programme, RTÉ Radio Sound Engineer Síle Ní Bhaoill happened to pop into the studio to say goodbye. Síle will retire soon, after almost 43 years of service with RTÉ.

Thank you and farewell to a friend and colleague

James Garvey, the Owner of Rossnowlagh Surf School in Co. Donegal, happened to spot the Humpback Whale in Donegal Bay, an experience he describes as being "a nature lover’s lottery win".

Humpback Whale spotted in Donegal Bay

Jane Goodall

RTÉ jnr Producer, Nicky Coughlan, tells us about a special edition of the Ecolution podcast in which presenter Evie Kenny talks to primatologist Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on Chimpanzees.

Ecolution podcast: special episode featuring the legendary Jane Goodall

On a recent visit to Cape Clear to record a segment for the upcoming new series of the RTÉ One television programme The Summer Show, Derek also recorded an interview with islander Mary Cadogan.

The Birdwoman of Cape Clear Island

Mooney Goes Wild reporter Terry Flannagan speaks to Daniel Meehan about his winning photograph, his photographic techniques and his very genuine surprise at coming up trumps amongst such an accomplished group of finalists.

Introducing the winner of the RTÉ Eye on Nature wildlife photography competition

Derek is joined by  Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Niall Hatch and Biologist, Filmmaker and Writer Tom Mustill. Topics up for discusion include; Cape Clear Island, Ecolution, RTÉ's Eye on Nature and How to Speak Whale.

Mooney Goes Wild

We speak with Biologist, Filmmaker and Writer Tom Mustill, author of How to Speak Whale, to whom Biologist and Conservationist Roger Payne was a much-loved friend and mentor.

How to Speak Whale

Our Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan spoke with two other members of our judging panel, award-winning natural history photographer Sheena Jolley and Dr Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens, about each of the final ten images. Terry also chats with Nationwide co-presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh.

Catching up with the Judges 

Derek spoke to all ten of our finalists about their photo techniques, the subjects of their entries and the inspirations they get from the natural world.

Introducing our ten Eye on Nature finalists

Éanna Ní Lamhna spoke to Derek and the panel about her new book 'Wild Musings'.

Wild Musings

A great introduction to Ireland, or a fun source of news and pop culture.
I&#39;ve been listening to the podcast for more than a year since my visit to Ireland in 2010.
Thanks, guys.

Sometimes poignant, always fun

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