Dive into the complete episode list for In Your Nature. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
The first episode of the new season of In Your Nature Podcast is finally here. This time Ricky and Niall chat about a mutually favoured topic - the crow family.
The conversation discusses Ireland's seven native species of corvid from the largest, the Raven to the most secretive, the Jay. The chat is full of facts, folklore and praise for these highly intelligent birds. The humble Rook is nominated "bird of the week".
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
There have been three species reintroductions of birds of prey in Ireland since the early 2000s. Ricky and Niall discuss the advantages and challenges of this method of bird conservation.
Ricky chats to Dr Allan Mee on the specifics of the Golden Eagle Trusts work to establish a viable breeding White-tailed Eagle population in Ireland after an absence of hundreds of years.
Bird of the week focuses on the charismatic Red Kite.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
Since humans occupied and began to alter our landscape there have been winners and loosers amongst our bird species. Humans impact on the avifauna of Ireland has been mostly negative with persecution, over hunting and habitat destruction/loss being big drivers in the extinction process.
Ricky and Niall look at some species that are long extinct, some that have slipped away in the recent past and others that have returned. Some fabulous species feature in this episode including, the bittern, the common crane, the marsh harrier and corn bunting among them. The chat ends on a positive note as it turns to the potential of the midlands bogs to host thriving populations of cranes, bittern, marsh harrier and other wetland specialists.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
We are off to Cork with this episode to check in Harpers Island a fantastic wetland reserve close to Cork City. The reserve is managed for birds and wildlife by volunteers from a collaborative of local groups and is a real mecca for the wild flora and fauna in the region.
Ricky chats to Jim Wilson an established ornithologist, author, wildlife expert and founding member of the Harpers Island reserve. They discuss the origins of the project, the habitats found there, the management and birds of the island.
For bird of the week we look at the Black-tailed Godwit.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
Bird eggs are the topic for this In Your Nature episode. We follow the journey of the egg, all the way from formation through to hatching. These fascinating little capsules carry all bird life into the world and form such an interesting part in the story of birds.
Ode to their beautifully diverse eggs we choose Guillemots as bird of the week!
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
This episode is crammed with bird audio and beautiful soundscapes recorded by Sean Ronayne, the Creator of Irish Wildlife Sounds. Sean talks us through the process, places and protagonists involved in his recordings of birds and wild places.
We are brought on a journey from the wetlands of Spain to a shed roof in Cork all in pursuit of the perfect sound clip. We get to savor the rasping song of the Corn Crake and the cry of the Curlew among some less rare species too.
For bird of the week we highlight the Grasshopper Warbler, a summer visitor to our shores and a songster with a very interesting tune.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In Your Nature is back with its summer season and we're kicking off with an episode all about "riverbirds".
We focus on five river specialists, the Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Sand Martin and the Common Sandpiper. Niall and Ricky discuss the identifying features, ecology and interesting adaptations these species have developed for life on the river.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In this episode we look closely at Bird Flu, with the current outbreak having ripped through seabird colonies across the UK and with the first confirmed cases in ROI.
Ricky and Niall look at the origins, effects and probable outcomes of avian influenza in our bird communities.
Bird of the Week is back with Great Skua, aka "Bonxie" under the spotlight.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In this episode we take a close look at the Barn Owl and speak to John Lusby - Raptor Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland on conservation efforts to help the species in Ireland.
Our interview with John reflects on well over a decade of Barn Owl conservation projects in Ireland. We discover how fortunes have changed for the species, aided by a surprising source. We look at three key aspects improving conditions for Barn Owls including; the provision of nest boxes, responsible rodenticide use and thoughtful road verge planning.
Bird of the week pays homage to the Feral Pigeon, possibly the most overlooked and underrated bird species there is!
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In Ireland we are lucky to host five breeding Tern species, namely; the Common, Arctic, Roseate, Little and Sandwich Tern. In this episode we look at these gracious birds in detail and chat about their identifying features, ecology and breeding sites.
We chat to Dr Stephen Newton - Senior Seabird Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland on Tern conservation in Ireland over three decades and look at the many successes of these efforts.
Bird of the week is the majestic Black Tern, a non-breeding annual visitor to our shores albeit in small numbers. The Black Tern is a species of "marsh tern" differing in ecology from our five sea tern species which we discuss.
Thanks to Seán Ronayne (Irish Wildlife Sounds) for much of the Tern audio.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
11 Aug 2022
In Your Nature Ep 24 - Life at Cape Clear Bird Observatory
In Your Nature takes us to Cape Clear Island in south-west Cork. Cape Clear is a legendary spot among Irish and British birders and is home to BirdWatch Ireland's Cape Clear Birds Observatory, established over 60 years ago.
Niall chats to long-standing observatory warden -Steve Wing on the history, life, culture and goings on of obs and island life as well as the odd remarkable bird!
Bird of the Week is and can only be observatory mascot & logo, the Great Shearwater.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In the final episode of the current season, we get an insiders take on Irish birding culture. Ricky chats to seasoned birder Niall Keogh on how folk go from occasional birdwatchers to die-hard twitchers. We talk, listing, patch birding, sea watching, twitching, the culture and the terminology that goes with the territory.
Bird of the Week is the flamboyant Hoopoe.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
09 Oct 2022
In Your Nature Ep 26 - Garden Birds/Garden Bird Survey
In the first episode of our winter season we take a deep dive into garden bird trends, who's on the up and who's not! In our first ever live episode we get in the the room with BirdWatch Ireland colleague Brian Burke - Scientific Officer and Garden Bird Survey Coordinator and talk shop about the birds we all see in our gardens on a regular basis. We look at the Garden Bird Survey and how you can get involved, improve your bird ID skills and how this citizen science is important in a conservation context.
Bird of the Week is a wonderful wee finch, the Siskin!.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ciarán O'Connor.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
We depart from our primary topic of birds in this episode to explore the world of Spiders. Who better to talk to on the topic but Collie Ennis, spider expert, Research Associate at Trinity College and Scientific Officer with the Herpetological Society of Ireland (www.thehsi.org/).
From a spiders life-cycle, to murderous mates and sub-aquatic species we learn heaps from a wonderful conversation with Collie.
Our Bird of the Week is the is the Treecreeper, a species that enjoys more than a few spiders in its diet.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ciarán O'Connor.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
We return to conservation with raptor expert John Lusby and discuss Ireland's smallest breeding bird of prey, the Merlin. These tiny but deadly falcons have an interesting ecology in Ireland straying somewhat from the norm seen in the rest of Europe.
Found in remote, difficult terrain and at low density, the Merlin is notoriously tricky to monitor. However, John has been using innovative techniques utilising drone technology to do just that.
Bird of the Week is the Meadow Pipit, a common prey item of Merlin but a charismatic little species in its own right.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ciarán O'Connor.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
30 Oct 2022
In Your Nature Ep 29 - Minister Pippa Hackett on Land Use Policy
In this episode we speak to Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity - Pippa Hackett.
For context, Pippa Hackett rapidly ascended the political strata in Ireland. An organic farmer, Pippa quickly became the Green Party Agricultural Spokesperson after joining the party, she then secured a council seat in Offaly (the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael heartland). Following that she was nominated to The Senate which was immediately followed by securing her ministerial position at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Our interview with Minister Hackett focuses on various national policy topics including; Forestry Policy, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Agriculture and Climate Action which don't often serve birds and biodiversity well.
Nominated by the minister herself, we look at the woodland specialist, the Jay for our Bird of the Week.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ciarán O'Connor.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
04 Nov 2022
In Your Nature Ep 30 - Dublin Bay and The Dublin Bay Birds Project
In our penultimate episode of the season we visit Dublin Bay and discover just how important it is for winter waterbirds (ducks, waders, geese) and breeding terns during summer.
We speak to Helen Boland and Tara Adcock of The Dublin Bay Birds Project about 10 years of work, observing, tracking and monitoring the bird life of Dublin Bay. We look at the benefits for the birds choosing Dublin Bay and also consider the pressures to which they are exposed.
With 30,000+ wintering waterbirds choosing to spend the winter in Dublin Bay we have plenty to discuss!
We look at the Redshank, a beautiful medium sized wader for Bird of The Week.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ciarán O'Connor.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In our final episode of 2022, we turn our attention to Marine Conservation with an interview with Sinéad Loughran - Fair Seas and BirdWatch Ireland Marine Policy Officer and Advocacy Officer.
We look at the lack of protection for marine habitats and the need for more & better legislation, policies and protections. We look at the pressures on our sea life and the opportunities if we re-think current approaches. We also talk the ins and outs of the FairSeas project and it's ambitions aims.
Bird of The Week is everyone's favourite, the Atlantic Puffin.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ciarán O'Connor.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In this the first episode of our new In Your Nature spring season, Ricky and Niall merge the diverse habitats of our bogs with the rich bird life found within them. They discuss a broad range of bird and bogland species with the conversation going from childhood memories of the bog to cuckoos and then onto the threats facing our hen harrier populations.
The chat covers a myriad of species from the carnivorous plant sundew, to meadow pipits and dragonflies with lots of bird song audio throughout for atmosphere. Our "Bird of the Week" is the common crane which after hundreds of years has returned to breed in Irish boglands once more!
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In this week’s episode Ricky and Niall have a look at the application of working dogs to wildlife conservation projects in Africa. Ricky speaks to Rory Hennebry owner and operator of Munster Canine and Lead Trainer at K9 Wildlife Project a charity set-up to train dogs for wildlife conservation operations internationally.
Rory specialises in training working dogs for a myriad of technical roles and has used his skills and experience in training security and military service dogs and applied them to preparing their canine colleague’s for roles involving wildlife tracking and anti-poaching efforts in Africa.
Rory’s insights span from the selection of dogs for such roles to how a young pup can go from playing in a Cork field to tracking poachers in the Namib Desert. Rory’s breed of choice for such applications is the Belgian Malinois, a breed well-known for its intelligence, athleticism and loyalty.
Finally we bring an African species into the fold for “Bird of the Week” with the Pearl-spotted Owlet nominated by Rory, a species he has encountered on dog training and handover trips to the continent.
For more information and to support the K9 Wildlife Project see the website here: https://www.k9wildlifeproject.com/ and/or follow them on Instagram: @k9_wildlife_project
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In this weeks episode, Ricky and Niall bring us something very new - an Avian Eurovision Song Contest! The pair have selected 12 contestant birds. Nine of these are based on the Eurovision 2022 finalists national birds, with the other three national birds hand-picked by Ricky and Niall.
The birds representing each country are; European Robin - UK; Blackbird - Sweden; Italian Sparrow - Italy; White-throated Dipper - Norway; Black-tailed Godwit - Netherlands; Barn Swallow - Estonia; European Roller - Azerbaijan; Whooper Swan - Finland; Northern Lapwing - Ireland; Eurasian Skylark - Denmark; Hoopoe - Israel, and Goldcrest - Luxembourg.
Each contestant is given the chance to shine. Niall and Ricky discuss each species musical virtuousity and facets of their behaviour and ecology that might sway listeners in the contestants favour, or in some cases, perhaps push some listeners the other way.
The interval act for the Avian Eurovision Contest 2023 is the Nightingale, this weeks Bird of the Week and one whose song is sure to steal the show.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
11 May 2023
In Your Nature Ep 35 - Dawn Chorus Live From East Coast Nature Reserve
In this weeks episode Niall and Ricky are bringing us the dawn chorus from BirdWatch Ireland's East Coast Nature Reserve (ECNR) in Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. Due to its diversity of habitats, the ECNR supports a wide range of species, from wrens, blackbirds, and robins to more locally confined species such as the sedge warbler, and so the soundscape in this episode is rich and textured.
As the sun rises, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes are first off the mark, with the smaller species joining the chorus as darkness fades. Niall and Ricky explain why size matters in this scenario, as well as why the dawn chorus exists as a phenomenon at all, how birds can self-harmonise and much more.
While Niall and Ricky chat, we hear the constant backdrop of the dawn chorus behind them, building as the episode progresses, perfectly accompanying their commentary. There are also moments of stillness punctuated throughout the episode, with Niall and Ricky simply sitting back and letting the birds do the talking.
Bird of the Week, this week is the Grasshopper Warbler, a bird you're more likely to hear than see, making it a fitting choice for a Dawn Chorus episode.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
18 May 2023
In Your Nature Ep 36 - Wildlife Ponds with Rob Gandola
This weeks episode features Rob Gandola, Senior Science Officer at the The Herpetological Society of Ireland. Rob explains why ponds are essential for wildlife, how they can benefit us in terms of flood protection and recreationally, and provides tips for creating ponds of any size in our own gardens.
Rob also explains the importance of ponds in the fight against climate change, with ponds estimated to sequester between 20 and 200 times more carbon than grasslands or woodlands of a similar size. Rob explains that the fact that these can be dug into most every back garden, residential or commercial development provides us with a proactive means to push back against climate change, while also providing essential habitat.
Bird of the Week is the Grey Heron, one of the few species which can eat frogs, which are toxic to most creatures. This feature and their presence at ponds as well as other water bodies makes them the perfect choice for this weeks Bird of the Week.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
This weeks' episode features Dr. Alan McCarthy of BirdWatch Ireland discussing Hen Harriers, their ecology, pressures facing these birds, conservation efforts for this species, and his PhD research on this enigmatic species.
Alan's PhD research focused on both breeding and wintering aspects of Hen Harrier ecology in Ireland. Among other things, his research focused on Hen Harrier diet, their winter roost characteristics, as well as satellite tracking Hen Harriers tagged as nestlings, year-round. This latter portion of Alan's work provided information on how far young Hen Harriers disperse, their survival rates, the habitats they use and the age at which they begin breeding.
Alan speaks eloquently about the pressures facing Hen Harriers, particularly afforestation of upland sites. Afforestation has resulted in declines in natural prey and causes Hen Harriers significant difficulty when hunting any available prey, in comparison to open landscapes. In addition, while Hen Harriers will nest in young conifer plantations, these habitats are predator rich, and predation of Hen Harrier nests is a significant pressure in these habitat types. Intensification of agricultural land has also led to a reduction in prey abundance at these sites, placing them under significant pressure both during the breeding and wintering seasons.
Niall speaks about how measures to save the Hen Harrier benefit not only other species through habitat restoration, but can also benefit local economies through job creation.
Bird of the Week is the Marsh Harrier, a species which is dependent on reedbed habitat and preys on species such as Coot, Teal and Common Frogs. In recent years the Marsh Harrier has returned to Ireland as a breeding species, with a handful of pairs breeding in Ireland. Marsh Harriers, like Hen Harriers and other harrier species, use sky dancing and food passes as part of their breeding display to reinforce the pair bond.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
09 Aug 2023
In Your Nature Ep 38 - Hedgehogs with Elaine O'Riordan
This weeks episode features Elaine O'Riordan, who is studying the ecology of the European Hedgehog in an Irish context for her PhD in the National University of Ireland Galway.
Elaine has run the Irish Hedgehog Survey for the last number of years, looking at how citizen scientists can feed into our understanding of the population of Hedgehogs in Ireland.
Ricky and Elaine chat about the various species of Hedgehogs worldwide, their diet, dependence on our gardens, hibernation and how citizen science can play a role in better understanding this fascinating mammal.
Bird of the Week this week is the Bullfinch. A stunningly beautiful bird, Niall fills us in as to how it benefits hugely from 'No Mow May' feeding on Dandelions, and will also benefit from fruiting trees such as cherry, plum and apple trees.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In this episode we take a closer look at hedgerows, an iconic part of the Irish landscape, and discover how important they are for pollinators and the farming community.
Ricky speaks to Ruth Wilson who is the Farmland Pollinator Officer (All-Ireland Pollinator Plan) at the National Biodiversity Data Centre, a post funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
Bird of the Week is the Long-tailed Tit, an adorable and gregarious species.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
This weeks episode focuses on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or H5N1, more commonly referred to as bird flu. The impact of the H5N1 has been particularly pronounced in the last two years, impacting seabird colonies on a pretty much global scale.
At the outset of the episode Niall explains that while bird flu is a pre-existing virus, the virulence of the H5N1 strain is due to intensive and unsanitary farming practices in many poultry farms in south-east Asia.
To provide more context around this topic, Niall Hatch interviewed Dr. Steve Newton and Brian Burke, both of BirdWatch Ireland. Steve and Brian work on some of Ireland's largest tern colonies on behalf of BirdWatch Ireland and have been at the coal face of this problem.
Steve details how H5N1 has impacted Lady's Island Lake and Rockabill Island, the two colonies with the largest Roseate Tern populations in Ireland, with Rockabill being the most important Roseate Tern colony in north-western Europe. This species is one of the most endangered seabirds world-wide.
Brian talks about the Dublin Port tern colony, a large principally Common Tern colony in Ireland's largest port, and the impact of the virus at this site, and the measures taken here as at the other two colonies to mitigate the spread of this disease.
Brian also goes on to talk about the Kilcoole Little Tern colony, Ireland's largest colony of this seabird, which despite a slightly rocky beginning with two positive cases of avian flu, has escaped the virus this season, and went on to have a successful breeding season.
Steve and Brian discuss the implications of H5N1 for the wider avian community particularly as we come into the winter season, and the need for greater government and departmental support.
This weeks Bird of the Week is the Gannet, Ireland's largest breeding seabird with a wingspan of over 6 feet. It was unfortunately heavily impacted by avian flu in 2022. When diving for prey, Gannets will dive at a speed of ~60km/hour and are specially adapted for this behaviour. This species, pre avian flu, were increasing in population and are, despite the set-back from avian flu, a good news story in the world of conservation.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
24 Aug 2023
In Your Nature Ep 40 - The Pine Marten with Dr Denise O'Meara
This weeks In Your Nature podcast topic is the Pine Marten. Dr. Denise O'Meara of South East Technological University sat down with Ricky to chat about the Pine Martens' ecology, the reasons behind their amazing comeback in recent years, and how the Pine Martens comeback has helped the Red Squirrel population to begin to slowly recover in parts of Ireland.
Bird of the Week is the Coal Tit, a species which like the Pine Marten can be found in mixed coniferous and even Sitka Spruce plantations.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
For this weeks episode of In Your Nature podcast, we take a close look at Moths, a vast and diverse group of insects. Ricky also speaks to Amanda Pedlow, Heritage Officer at Offaly County Council, an avid citizen scientist and moth trapper on the joy of moth trapping and recording.
Topics include the lifecycle of the moth, their importance in the wider food chain, the conservation issues they face, and the process of moth trapping. Niall and Ricky also nominate several species they believe are well deserving of a closer look.
Bird of the Week is the Nightjar, a species which feeds on moths, and was once found in Co. Offaly.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
This weeks episode is all about Swifts, specifically Swifts in Co. Offaly.
Since 2017, BirdWatch Ireland has been coordinating county Swift surveys. Co. Offaly was the first ever county to commission a Swift survey and this season, they commissioned a re-survey of the county.
Niall sat down with Jaroslaw Majkusiak, BirdWatch Irelands' 2023 Co. Offaly Swift Surveyor to find out how Swifts have fared between 2017 and 2023, the conservation pressures impacting Swifts and how local communities can turn the tide for Swifts.
Bird of the Week this week is the Grey Wagtail a dainty little bird of our rivers and wetlands and close relation to it's urbanite cousin the Pied (Willy) Wagtail.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
10 Nov 2023
In Your Nature Ep 44 - Ireland Vs New Zealand Bird-off Part 1
Season 8 of In Your Nature podcast is starting-off with something slightly different - part one of a competition between Ireland and New Zealand to see which countries birds will win out in a series of categories in an inter-island bird-off! Originally broadcast as part of Radio New Zealand’s 'Our Changing World', produced by County Kerry native Claire Concannon (now ensconced in NZ), our very own Ricky Whelan will pit his wits against New Zealand native and ornithologist Jamie McAulay.
With thanks to Radio New Zealand for allowing us to re-broadcast this episode.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
16 Nov 2023
In Your Nature Ep 45 - Ireland Vs New Zealand Bird-off Part 2
This weeks' episode brings us part-two of the Ireland vs New Zealand Bird-off. Originally broadcast as part of Radio New Zealand’s 'Our Changing World', produced by Co. Kerry native Claire Concannon (now ensconced in NZ), Ricky Whelan has been pitching his wits against New Zealand native and ornithologist Jamie McAulay, in a ferociously competitive and hilarious competition.
With thanks to Radio New Zealand for allowing us to re-broadcast this episode.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
The wildlife and wild places of Connemara are the topics of this weeks episode. John Lusby, Raptor Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland discusses some of the iconic bird species (with a focus on breeding Golden Plover) which use this landscape, and conservation efforts underway to understand and protect them.
John has nominated a bird of prey (surprise surprise) for Bird of the Week, so we're talking all things Kestrel!
To find out more about some of Co. Galways beautiful and important areas for biodiversity, visit County Galway Biodiversity Story Map page: Galway Biodiversity StoryMaps (arcgis.com)
This episode was produced in partnership with Galway County Council and with the support of the National Parks and Wildlife Service under the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2017-2021).
Learn more about the species featured in this episode at the links below... - Golden Plover - Kestrel
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
This week Niall and Ricky are feeling the chill prompting the question, where do our summer migrants to Ireland go to get some winter sun? They discuss a list of species across the bird families that up sticks in autumn and leave in pursuit of an endless summer of sorts.
A story of migration but focusing on the where and why of these massive journeys.
Blackcap is our Bird of the Week, a species once considered a summer migrant that has now become a winter resident through a fascinating turn of events!
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
This week In Your Nature focuses on the topic of invasive species, looking specifically at two new kids on the block, the Quagga Mussel and the Alpine Newt*, two recently discovered unwelcome colonisers!
Ricky speaks to alien invasive species expert Dr. Jan-Robert Baars, Lecturer and Assistant Professor at the School of Biology and Environmental Sciences at University College Dublin (UCD). Jan is an expert in the field with particular interest in invasion biology. Jan’s work together with colleagues in UCD and the Herpetological Society of Ireland have been monitoring Quagga Mussels and Alpines Newts since they’ve established and now appear to be thriving here in Ireland.
The Rose-ringed Parakeet is our Bird of the Week, a charismatic yet invasive species now gaining a foothold in Dublin and some of our other urban centres.
Learn more about the species featured in this episode at the links below...
*The Alpine Newt is not currently recognised as an alien invasive species in Ireland. More here.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
16 Dec 2023
In Your Nature Ep 49 - What's at Santa's Bird Table
In our end of year Christmas Special, Niall and Ricky consider what birds Santa might be enjoying at his bird table in an exploration of some of the hardiest species that call Finnish Lapland home.
There is something in Santa’s bag for everyone in this episode, from fit finches to tough tits and canny corvids!
We hope you enjoy it, thanks for listening and happy Christmas!
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In an In Your Nature first, this episode was recorded live with an audience from Wild Mind Festival in Fenit, County Kerry earlier this spring. Wild Mind is a festival that celebrates our natural environment, making it the perfect fit for a visit from In Your Nature.
Picture this, Niall and Ricky sitting on hay bales on stage in a artificial barn/shed structure waxing lyrical about spring and what it means for our fathered friends. The lads discuss the complex sequence of events that is the annual breeding cycle and what triggers it in early spring. We hear about avian turf-wars, male grooming, birdy romance and female expectations of their chosen mates!
An episode of In Your Nature wouldn't be complete without the Bird of the Week slot, with Blackbird being nominated by an audience member, which Ricky and Niall happily picked up and ran with.
Additionally, there were lots of interesting questions from the floor all expertly answered or dodged by the hosts.
For more information on Wild Mind Festival check out their website here.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
07 Jul 2024
In Your Nature Ep 51 - Ticks, Mites and Flat Flies (Critter Shed Collab)
We know you'll be itching to listen to this episode, which is a collaboration with Collie Ennis of The Critter Shed. This week, we're talking all about, you guessed it, critters, though not the cute and cuddly kind. Ticks, fleas and flat flies are the focus of this conversation and while the thought of that might make your skin crawl, we encourage you to listen on!
Ticks, mites and flat flies may not appeal to most, but these fascinating creatures play a vital role in the shaping of our ecosystems. What's more, these highly-adapted species hold incredible abilities that would be the envy of most superheroes, such as impressive agility and unparalleled resilience. On listening to this episode, you might just look at these parasites in a new light!
In the spirit of this week's episode of In Your Nature, we put a spin on the usual Bird of the Week slot, asking Niall instead to nominate a Critter of the Week. This week's winner is the May Bug, also known by the slightly unfortunate name, the Common Cockchafer!
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
14 Jul 2024
In Your Nature Ep 52 - Herons (Critter Shed Colab)
This episode of In Your Nature is another collaboration with Collie Ennis of The Critter Shed and this week, we're talking all about the Grey Heron!
Although amphibian expert Collie has an understandably complex relationship with the Heron, this episode has given him a newfound respect for the species! While they're known as skilled fishers, did you know that Herons have adapted to consume a wide range of prey including small mammals, insects and reptiles? Or that they have small combs on the underside of each foot to help them to keep their feathers in tip-top condition? Learn about this and more by tuning in.
An episode of In Your Nature wouldn't be complete without the Bird of the Week slot, and this time, we feature another wetland wonder - the Coot!
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
Bats can sometimes get a bad rap but in this episode of the In Your Nature podcast, we hope to dispel some myths and shine a light on these truly remarkable creatures. For this conversation, we are joined by Bat Ecologist and Senior Projects Manager with Bat Conservation Ireland, Niamh Roche, who gives us an insight into the lives of Ireland's nine species of bat.
On listening to this episode, you'll quickly that bats are not to be feared, but to be supported and admired. When allowed to thrive, bats provide a number of ecosystem services, including insect control and pollination, which benefit humans and the wider environment.
As is a tradition on the In Your Nature, we asked our guest to choose their Bird of the Week and Niamh didn't need to be asked twice, choosing the master of woodland camouflage - the Treecreeper.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
This episode of In Your Nature comes from across the pond as Niall records from the2024 Global Bird Fair in Rutland, United Kingdom. Known to many as "Glastonbury for birders", the Global Bird Fair sees conservation organisations, photographers, authors, artists ecotourism companies and many more join together to celebrate their shared love of birds. Over a July weekend, attendees are treated to a jam-packed schedule of talks, workshops, film screenings and other events, all themed around birds and wildlife conservation.
This year, Niall took the opportunity to interview some of the interesting birders that he met at the event. This includes Chief Executive of BirdLife International, Martin Harper, who spoke about the impact that the Global Bird Fair has made on conservation projects worldwide owing to the fundraising element of the event. He also caught up with Head of Communications and Awareness at the Hellenic Ornithological Society/ BirdLife Greece, Roula Trigou. She likens the Global Bird Fair to an annual family gathering, where people who are fighting for the same cause join together. For her, the event perfectly illustrates how birds connect our world. Laura Kammermeier from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology also took some time to speak with Niall about Cornell's many inspiring and educational initiatives including the highly popular Merlin Bird ID app, as well as Birds of the World – a subscription-based online resource and the world’s largest, most comprehensive, scholarly resource for birds.
Meanwhile, Rachel Bigsby is looking at birds from a different perspective, quite literally. The wildlife photographer spoke with Niall about how events like the Global Bird Fair can help new photographers get to grips with techniques and ethics, while she also reveals the Northern Fulmar as the seabird that kickstarted her passion for photography.
No matter where you travel to, you're almost guaranteed to bump into someone else from Ireland and the Global Bird Fair is no exception! Niall caught up with ornithologist Seán Ronayne of Irish Wildlife Sounds to talk about his early days of sound recording, a hobby that has since led to his highly-regarded documentary, Birdsong, album Wild Silence and a soon-to-be-released book, Nature Boy.
In keeping with tradition, Niall and Ricky choose a Bird of the Week and of course, they couldn't do an episode on the Global Bird Fair without mentioning the event's emblem, the Osprey.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
We all need a holiday from time to time but there's no doubt that travelling comes with a cost, and we're not just talking about to your bank balance! Travelling comes with an environmental impact but "eco-tourism" or "sustainable tourism" offers an opportunity to lower that impact significantly. However, with these terms becoming buzzwords in recent years, it is important to avoid accepting them at face value. So, how can you distinguish a true eco-tourism option from greenwashing? In this episode, Niall and Ricky hope to clarify this often confusing matter so that you can confidently make more eco-conscious travel choices going forward.
There's no denying that any form of travel will have an impact on the environment but that is not to say we can't all make more positive and responsible choices. As Niall and Ricky describe, eco-tourism should benefit the communities, habitats and species of an area more than it takes away from it.
At the 2024 Global Bird Fair in Rutland, United Kingdom, Niall spoke to some people involved in true eco-tourism to illustrate how that works in practice. They include Sandra Morocho from the Quijos Valley in Ecuador, the place that holds the world record for the number of bird species within 24-kilometres in 24-hours - a staggering 493! He also speaks to Chandika Jayaratne of Jetwing Eco Holidays in Sri Lanka, an initiative aimed at providing an enjoyable tourist experience while in turn, giving back to local initiatives.
In keeping with tradition, Niall and Ricky choose a Bird of the Week and this time, the White-tailed Eagle seemed particularly fitting. Formerly lost from Ireland and Scotland, the spectacular raptor now attracts tourists to places like Killarney and the Isle of Mull owing to a successful reintroduction initiative.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
Step into Nature, is a new book written and illustrated by naturalist Rachel McKenna, chronicles a year of her observations of everything from plants to birds, insects and fungi. It is journey through her year, describing her finds and allowing readers to pick up the book and share in her curiosity and learn from her finds.
Ricky speaks to Rachel from Killaun Bog near Birr Co. Offaly, one of the sites Rachel frequents. She outlines how her curiosity was triggered, where she has found the experience and support needed in helping to identify species and grow her knowledge in a few short years. Rachel talks about the wonder of nature, the importance of networks, the value of citizen science and health rivalry between biodiversity recorders.
Niall and Ricky are full of praise for Rachel, her new book and the efforts of citizen scientists who volunteer their time and observations to furthering biodiversity monitoring and conservation in Ireland and internationally.
Bird of the Week is the Common Buzzard as nominated by Rachel, a species which gets a unanimous thumbs up from the lads.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
05 Dec 2024
In Your Nature Ep 57 - Farming For Nature (Handbook)
The eagerly awaited, Farming For Nature (FFN) Handbook has just been published, Ricky and Niall take the opportunity to discuss how important farms and farmers are for nature in Ireland, given the dominance of agriculture lands across the Irish landscape.
Ricky speaks Dr Emma Hart on behalf of FFN and co-authors, Bridgit Barry and Brendan Dunford about the book, its content and objectives.
The Farming For Nature Handbook (purchase here) was inspired by the regular requests received by Farming For Nature, from people wanting to learn how best to manage their land, big or small, in a way that enhances habitats, increases wildlife, harnesses natural processes, protects profits, and safeguards our natural environment and rural communities for future generations. The handbook features the stories, experience and learnings of almost 50 farmers.
Emma is a conservation ecologist and writer. She is the founder of habitats.ie, a consultancy service in biodiversity conservation, science communication, and research and of Oysterhaven Biodiversity Reserve, a farm, research site, and nature restoration project in the south of Ireland. Emma has a PhD in conservation ecology and extensive international experience of managing science-based conservation initiatives. She serves on several inter(national) professional committees including for the IUCN and Farming for Nature and publishes regularly in the scientific and popular press.
Bird of the Week is the Common Snipe as nominated by Emma, a handsome and quirky wee species common on our bogs and other wetland habitats.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
19 Dec 2024
In Your Nature Ep 58 - Biodiversity with Éanna Ní Lamhna
In our last episode of 2024, In Your Nature welcomes a well-known nature celebrity for a very lively chat. Niall and Ricky speak to Éanna Ní Lamhna about biodiversity and her long track record of writing, broadcasting and advocating about and for Ireland’s flora and fauna.
Éanna gives her characteristic, energetic and unfiltered opinion on nature broadcasting, biodiversity loss in Ireland, together with her hopes and dreams for Irish biodiversity in the future. Éanna really get's into it and eventually leaves Ricky afraid to ask any further questions 😅.
Bird of the Week is the Great Northern Diver (Common Loon) as nominated by Éanna, a streamlined seabird evolved for life at sea.
Éanna’s new book “The Great Irish Biodiversity Book” takes us on a trip through Irish wildlife habitats – from bogs to beaches and woodland to grassland. Discover how habitats work and which creatures and plants to look out for in each one, from the very rare to the most common, all brought to life with amazing illustrations by Barry Falls.
For more info and to purchase the book click here.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In the first ever In Your Nature Podcast, Ricky and Niall discuss how birds and nature helped us through Covid lockdowns and the value of nature in lifting our mood and maintaining good mental health.
Ricky and Niall also introduce the "Bird of the Week" segment, aimed to help you improve your bird knowledge and identification skills.
The In Your Nature podcast is edited by Ann Marie Kelly.
This Podcast is brought to you by BirdWatch Ireland, Laois and Offaly County Councils and the Keep Well Campaign, an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare Fund delivered by Pobal.
To send us feedback, ask a question or suggest a topic for discussion, email info@birdwatchireland.ie
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In this episode Ricky and Niall chat about the annual spectacle of the dawn chorus, what it is and why birds sing their hearts out in springtime.
This episode includes lots of bird song audio for you to enjoy, whilst the Cuckoo is the chosen species for the Bird of The Week slot.
Special thanks this episode goes to Seán Ronayne of irishwildlifesounds.com for use of his bird recordings.
This Podcast is brought to you by BirdWatch Ireland, Laois and Offaly County Councils and the Keep Well Campaign, an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare Fund delivered by Pobal."
The In Your Nature Podcast is edited by Ann Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In this episode Ricky and Niall chat all things nest boxes. We chat about how to provide good nest box accommodation for your garden birds, from how to build them, where to hang them and when to clean them.
We also discuss nest boxes for Swifts and Barn Owls which are species of high conservation concern who can be helped by the provision of specialised nest boxes.
The Species of the Week is the Blue Tit, a regular nest box resident and garden favourite.
This Podcast is brought to you by BirdWatch Ireland, Laois and Offaly County Councils and the Keep Well Campaign, an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare Fund delivered by Pobal.
The In Your Nature Podcast is edited by AnnMarie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In this episode we chat about the Common Buzzard. We discuss the recolonisation of the species across Ireland after a number of major historic setbacks. Despite its recent continued advance, Buzzards are still illegally targeted and killed. We talk Buzzard ecology and try to straighten-out some of the common misconceptions about the species.
Species of the week is the Common (Ring-necked) Pheasant.
This Podcast is brought to you by BirdWatch Ireland, Laois and Offaly County Councils and the Keep Well Campaign, an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare Fund delivered by Pobal."
The In Your Nature Podcast is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In this episode we chat about bogs. We welcome our first guest in Dr Catherine Farrell, an experienced peatland ecologist and researcher at Trinity College Dublin. We discuss the pressures our peatlands face and the opportunities for nature and fighting climate change when we restore and rehabilitate our damaged bogland habitats.
Species of the week is the Common Snipe.
This Podcast is brought to you by BirdWatch Ireland, Laois and Offaly County Councils and the Keep Well Campaign, an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare Fund delivered by Pobal."
The In Your Nature Podcast is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
This is the final episode in our spring series, we will return with new In Your Nature Episodes in June. In this episode we chat about the wonder of Wildflowers. We welcome our second guest to In Your Nature in Dr Fiona MacGowan, a Botanist and professional Ecologist. We discuss wildflowers you are likely to spot in early spring, their importance for pollinating insects and we also chat about the humble hedgerow .
Species of the week is the Mistle Thrush.
This Podcast is brought to you by BirdWatch Ireland, Laois and Offaly County Councils and the Keep Well Campaign, an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare Fund delivered by Pobal."
The In Your Nature Podcast is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In Your Nature returns with its first episode (of 6) planned for this summer season. This week we are chatting about Swifts, a bird species that has captivated the imagination of many and it's clear that hosts Ricky Whelan and Niall Hatch are also smitten with this charismatic urbanite.
The chat explores the Swifts unique ecology, the threats they face and some solutions to these the problems are offered.
Species of the week is the humble House Sparrow.
This podcast is made in partnership with Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and the Heritage Council
This podcast is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In Your Nature Season 2 continues with an episode looking at the unique landscape and nature of The Shannon Callows. We interview BirdWatch Ireland breeding wader expert and born & bred callows woman Kathryn Finney, who gives us a great local insight.
We chat about, farming, floods and fences, and their impact on the birds within this internationally important wetland landscape.
Bird of the week is the little-known Whinchat, a bird pushed to the margins but well worth discovering.
This podcast is made in partnership with Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and the Heritage Council.
This podcast is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
12 Jun 2021
In Your Nature Ep 09 - Questions Children Ask (Cruinniú na nÓg Special)
In Your Nature celebrates the curiosity of children in this special episode! Niall and Ricky answer questions submitted and put to them by children during years of presenting talks and walks about birds to young people.
The topics are broad and hit on all sorts, from "How do owls turn their necks all the way around" to "are Moorhens the bossiest birds" . There is something here for everyone in this one-hour special.
This episode is released earlier than the usual Monday release to coincide with Cruinniú na nÓg on Saturday June 12th.
Bird of the week returns in episode #10.
This podcast is made in partnership with Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and the Heritage Council.
This podcast is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
There is no such thing as a seagull! Ricky and Niall provide evidence for this statement and look at Irelands seven breeding gull species and point out some of the more likeable characteristics of this frequently misunderstood family of birds.
We chat about intelligence, adaptability and the global distribution of gulls and how they are excellent parents and why they receive an awful lot of bad press.
Bird of the week is back and we look at the only truly sea faring gull in Ireland, the Kittiwake!
This podcast is made in partnership with Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and the Heritage Council.
This podcast is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
The Irish coastline and offshore Islands are home to some of the biggest seabird colonies in Europe. It's at these colonies you will find the hardiest and some of the most handsome breeding birds in Ireland.
A message from the Rockabill Wardens will give listeners a brief insight into life living amongst a seabird colony off the Dublin coast. Niall and Ricky introduce us to the seabird species that Ireland boasts and give us the facts, anecdotes and tips that will leave you planning a trip to the coast.
Bird of the week is the tiny and mysterious Storm Petrel.
This podcast is made in partnership with Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and the Heritage Council.
This podcast is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In the final episode of In Your Nature Season #2 Niall and Ricky share with us their knowledge of the Curlew. The conversation covers their ecology, migratory movements and lots more, almost in a bid to delay the inevitable conversation about the decline of the Eurasian Curlew and many of its closely related cousins.
A frank interview with BirdWatch Irelands Anita Donaghy (Assistant Head of Conservation) leaves us in no doubt as to the rapid changes we need to make within the areas of farming , forestry and planning as few defend the last remaining Curlew from the annual barrage of nest predators.
Bird of the week is an enemy of our ground nesting species, the Hooded Crow.
This podcast is made in partnership with Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and the Heritage Council.
This podcast is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
In this episode Ricky and Niall chat about traditional links between birds and Christmas. We discuss the birds mentioned in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, the long association between Robins and the festive season and how best to take care of our feathered friends in our gardens over the cold winter months. We hope you enjoy and Happy Christmas!
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.
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