Send us a text 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 D...
Oct 30, 2022•48 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Send us a text 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...
Oct 23, 2022•38 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Send us a text 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 ...
Oct 16, 2022•51 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Send us a text 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...
Oct 09, 2022•34 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Send us a text 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 ...
Aug 20, 2022•56 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Send us a text 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 N...
Aug 11, 2022•44 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Send us a text 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...
Aug 05, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Send us a text 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, responsib...
Jul 29, 2022•51 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Send us a text 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 ...
Jul 24, 2022•29 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Send us a text 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 Herit...
Jul 17, 2022•45 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Send us a text 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 ...
May 03, 2022•50 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Send us a text 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 a...
Apr 28, 2022•41 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Send us a text 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...
Apr 19, 2022•34 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Send us a text 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, th...
Apr 10, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Send us a text 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 Heri...
Apr 04, 2022•38 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Send us a text 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 Offi...
Mar 27, 2022•52 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Send us a text 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....
Dec 18, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Send us a text 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 area...
Jul 04, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Send us a text 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 planni...
Jun 27, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Send us a text 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 Irelan...
Jun 20, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Send us a text 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...
Jun 12, 2021•56 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Send us a text 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 discover...
Jun 06, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Send us a text 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 par...
May 30, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Send us a text 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 t...
Apr 05, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Send us a text 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...
Mar 29, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Send us a text 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 Counci...
Mar 22, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Send us a text 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...
Mar 14, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Send us a text 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 Ke...
Mar 08, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Send us a text 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 t...
Mar 01, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 1
