Listener Fionnuala contacted us about the possibility woodpeckers in Naas, doing damage to a cherry blossom tree in her garden. So why is it that woodpeckers sustain head damage when drumming? Niall, Eanna and Richard explain...

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Dr. Megan Power from UCD joins us to tell us about her research on Greater Horseshoe Bats, and whether it's better for bats to breed earlier or later in life...

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The Natural History Museum in Dublin, known fondly as the 'Dead Zoo', is currently closed for refurbishment works. So where have the animals and exhibits gone? Reporter Terry Flanagan met with curator Emma Murphy to find out...

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On Jan. 2nd, we broadcast a special edition of Mooney Goes Wild from Harper's Island Wetlands Nature Reserve in County Cork, where Derek, Jim Wilson, Niall Hatch and Decland Murphy took a close-up look at the remarkable world of wintering wetland birds. The programme was filmed by Donal Glackin, and you can listen to and watch the full show here: https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/mooney/2026/0102/1551149-mooney-goes-wild-wetland-birds-02-01-26/

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Derek, Richard, Niall and Eanna are joined by Sweden-based Irish journalist Philip O'Connor to chat about edible road salt, wild animals in traffic and the Great Moose Migration! For more, see rte.ie/mooney.

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While filming in Ljubljana recently, Derek discovered a project boosting urban biodiversity: 56 bus shelters have been greened with native, drought-resistant plants. Led by the University of Ljubljana with city partners, the initiative supports insects and wildlife. Derek spoke to project lead Dr Blanka Ravnjak...

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Ireland holds some of the world’s oldest and rarest animal fossils. Terry Flanagan and Prof. Maria McNamara explored fossils in Clonmel’s courthouse and told us about the Great Irish Fossil Hunt. Listeners responded, including Barbara Doyle, who found urban fossils in St Peter’s Church, Phibsborough, in Dublin...

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Over 20 years ago, German nurse Carsten Krieger moved to Ireland and became captivated by bogs near his home. After decades researching and photographing peatlands, he wrote 'Ten Thousand Years Deep: The Story of Ireland’s Peatlands'. Michele Browne met him at Griston Bog, Co. Limerick...

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Most European bats eat insects, but one hunts birds. Researchers led by Aarhus University found the Greater Noctule catching small songbirds mid-air. Tagged bats revealed a three-minute chase of a night-flying robin, which was caught, dismembered and eaten. Niall Hatch explains.

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After a recent report of a grey seal in Dublin’s River Liffey, listener Barry McCarthy shared evidence of seals hauling themselves over the Islandbridge weir. He even filmed it with his kids. Éanna returns to discuss Barry’s observations and how well seals move on land...

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