Mooney Goes Wild

Derek is joined by Richard Collins while Niall Hatch reports from the town of Mandelieu-La Napoule in southern France seeking out the European Bee-eater; Marc Holderied, Professor of Sensory Biology at the University of Bristol, tells us about moths; and Terry Flanagan visits the farm of Kieran Morley's where he rears snails.

Niall Hatch joins us from the town of Mandelieu-La Napoule in southern France where he finds the European Bee-eater. Niall picked up their distinctive jaunty flight calls as they flew overhead, and tonight he tells us more about them.

Compared to their close cousins, the butterflies, moths have something of a PR problem. Marc Holderied, Professor of Sensory Biology at the University of Bristol, is here to refresh their image.

Many people don’t like snails, possibly because of the way they move or the slime they leave behind...but not Co. Monaghan-based farmer Kieran Corley, who rears them. Our roving reporter, Terry Flanagan, recently paid a visit to Drumlin country to find out more about these amazing creatures.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch to discuss a rare orchid that has been rediscovered in Galway, Wings magazine, and Terry's Nature News.

Each week, Terry Flanagan brings us specially selected stories about the natural world. Tonight's topics: Good news for Irish Corncrakes; Where have all our butterflies gone?; and Studying the effects of cocaine on sharks!

A joint environmental initiative by Galway County Council and Conservation Volunteers Galway has led to the remarkable discovery of Autumn Lady's Tresses orchids, which haven't been seen in the area for 80 years. Éanna speaks to Rosina Joyce, Biodiversity Officer for Galway County Council, about the rediscovery.

Dog trainer Rory Henberry has recently set up a charity called the K9 Wildlife Project, with the intention of training dogs to send to Africa to assist conservation rangers in combatting poachers. Terry travelled to Mallow, Co. Cork to chat with Rory and local vet Carina Mederle.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins & Niall Hatch to discuss rodenticide, harvestmen and a leatherback turtle stamp.

Recently, Niall received a message from a friend who found a dead kestrel in their garden. Poison, intended for rodents, may well have been the culprit. Éanna is a spokesperson for the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use in Ireland, so who better to fill us in on the rules and regulations around the use of rat poison.