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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.