In Your Nature
The In Your Nature podcast brings you conversations about birds and wildlife, wild places, and the work of BirdWatch Ireland and wildlife conservationists. Hosted by Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council, and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland, the show also features regular expert guests and ends each episode with a 'Bird of the Week' segment. Episodes are released in seasons three times per year, with six episodes each, dropping weekly in spring, summer, and autumn. BirdWatch Ireland is Ireland's largest independent conservation organisation, and the series is supported by local councils and the Heritage Council.
Episodes
In Your Nature Ep 69 - In Search of Orchids
Send us Fan MailIn some ways, looking for rare birds is similar to looking for rare plants — you may travel to new places, see new habitats, and grow your connection with nature. However, finding rare plants has its own set of challenges, which may come as a surprise for something that can't fly away.This week, Niall and Ricky welcome author and naturalist, Declan Murphy, to the podcast. Murp
In Your Nature Ep 68 - Record Breaking Birds
Send us Fan MailYou may know the Ostrich is the world’s largest bird, but did you know an extinct bird known as the Elephant Bird was around five times heavier? Or that Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture can fly at altitudes of up to 11,000 metres — more than 2,000 metres above Mount Everest!This week, Niall and Ricky are talking about record-breaking birds. From speed and longevity, to wingbeats, clutch s
In Your Nature Ep 67 - John Feehan (Peatland Perspectives)
Send us Fan MailProfessor John Feehan is a renowned Irish geologist, botanist, author and former lecturer at University College Dublin (UCD), widely respected for his work interpreting Ireland’s landscapes, biodiversity and cultural heritage.In this episode, he shares his deep knowledge of Ireland’s peatlands, exploring their ecological and cultural importance whilst offering a perspective on thei
In Your Nature Ep 66 - Bird Nests
Send us Fan MailIn this week's episode of In Your Nature, Ricky and Niall are diving into the world of bird nests. Whether the nest is on the ground, in a cavity, or reused from another species, nests are just as unique as the birds who use them. Long before a chick is hatched or a egg is laid, birds pick specific spots for their nests and to build their families.Learn how, when, and who is b
In Your Nature Ep 65 - Butterflies with Jesmond Harding
Send us Fan MailIn Your Nature with Niall Hatch and Ricky Whelan is back! Kicking off the season at Bog of Allen Nature Reserve in Co. Kildare, Niall and Ricky meet up with butterfly guru, Jesmond Harding. The three explore the reserve while covering a range of topics, from fascinating wing adaptations that trick hungry predators to specific plants required for the survival of different species. L
In Your Nature Ep 59 - Breeding Waders EIP
Send us Fan MailIn Your Nature is back for a new season and this time we welcome Owen Murphy, Senior Project Manager with the Breeding Waders EIP, to discuss the ambitious and urgent work being done to conserve Ireland’s most threatened ground-nesting birds. With populations of species like the Curlew, Lapwing, and Redshank in steep decline, the Breeding Waders EIP is taking bold, science-led acti
In Your Nature Ep 64 - Pádraic Fogarty
Send us Fan MailIn Your Nature returns with a thought-provoking new episode featuring Ricky in conversation with Pádraic Fogarty—ecologist, author, and one of Ireland’s most influential voices for nature. The discussion centres on Pádraic’s long-standing work advocating for more ambitious and meaningful conservation efforts across Ireland, from rewilding landscapes to reforming environmental polic
In Your Nature Ep 63 - Birds of the Falkland Islands
Send us Fan MailIn Your Nature returns with a captivating new episode recorded live from Global BirdFair 2025, where Niall Hatch is joined by two seasoned nature guides with deep ties to the Falkland Islands—Andy Pollard, a Falklands native and expert birder, and Martin Anstee, a conservationist and expedition leader with decades of experience in the region.Together, they explore the unique biodiv
In Your Nature Ep 62 - Ealing (London) Beaver Project
Send us Fan MailIn Your Nature returns with a fascinating new episode spotlighting the Ealing Beaver Project, a pioneering urban rewilding initiative bringing these charismatic ecosystem engineers back to West London after a 400-year absence.Niall is joined (recorded live from Global BirdFair 2025) by Dr Sean McCormack, founder of the project and a native of County Kildare. Together, they delve in
In Your Nature Ep 61 - Return to Nature Clare Church Biodiversity Project
Send us Fan MailIn Your Nature returns with a heartening new episode exploring the Return to Nature Clare Church Biodiversity Project, a community-driven initiative transforming churchyards into havens for wildlife and reflection. Ricky is joined by Barry O’Loughlin, Biodiversity Officer with Clare County Council, to discuss the origins of the project, its progress to date, and the vital role of c
In Your Nature Ep 60 - Dark Skies
Send us Fan MailIn Your Nature returns with a luminous new episode exploring the theme of Dark Skies, featuring a guest interview with Kerem Asfuroglu of Dark Source (lighting design consultancy) and Dark Skies Ireland. As artificial light increasingly disrupts ecosystems and obscures our view of the stars, this episode sheds light on the growing movement to preserve natural darkness for the benef
In Your Nature Ep 58 - Biodiversity with Éanna Ní Lamhna
Send us Fan MailIn 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
In Your Nature Ep 57 - Farming For Nature (Handbook)
Send us Fan MailThe 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 obj
In Your Nature Ep 56 - Step Into Nature
Send us Fan MailStep 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. Offa
In Your Nature Ep 55 - Eco Tourism (or is it?)
Send us Fan MailWe 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 y
In Your Nature Ep 54 - Global Birdfair 2024
Send us Fan MailThis episode of In Your Nature comes from across the pond as Niall records from the 2024 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,
In Your Nature Ep 53 - Bats
Send us Fan MailBats 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
In Your Nature Ep 52 - Herons (Critter Shed Colab)
Send us Fan MailThis 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 a
In Your Nature Ep 51 - Ticks, Mites and Flat Flies (Critter Shed Collab)
Send us Fan MailWe 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,
In Your Nature Ep 50 - Live from Wild Mind
Send us Fan MailIn 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
In Your Nature Ep 49 - What's at Santa's Bird Table
Send us Fan MailIn 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 N
In Your Nature Ep 48 - The New Invasives
Send us Fan MailThis 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 Dubli
In Your Nature Ep 47 - Where Are They Now?
Send us Fan MailThis 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
In Your Nature Ep 46 - Connemara
Send us Fan MailThe 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 t
In Your Nature Ep 45 - Ireland Vs New Zealand Bird-off Part 2
Send us Fan MailThis 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 comp
In Your Nature Ep 44 - Ireland Vs New Zealand Bird-off Part 1
Send us Fan MailSeason 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 ens
In Your Nature Ep 43 - Swift Conservation
Send us Fan MailThis 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
In Your Nature Ep 42 - Moths
Send us Fan MailFor 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
In Your Nature Ep 41 - Hedgerows + Pollinators
Send us Fan MailIn 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).
In Your Nature Ep 40 - The Pine Marten with Dr Denise O'Meara
Send us Fan MailThis 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
In Your Nature Ep 39 - Bird Flu Update
Send us Fan MailThis 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
In Your Nature Ep 38 - Hedgehogs with Elaine O'Riordan
Send us Fan MailThis 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
In Your Nature Ep 37 - Hen Harriers
Send us Fan MailThis 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 H
In Your Nature Ep 36 - Wildlife Ponds with Rob Gandola
Send us Fan MailThis 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, wit
In Your Nature Ep 35 - Dawn Chorus Live From East Coast Nature Reserve
Send us Fan MailIn 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 te
In Your Nature Ep 34 - Avian Eurovision
Send us Fan MailIn 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 Sparro
In Your Nature Ep 33 - Conservation Canines
Send us Fan MailIn 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 tec
In Your Nature Ep 32 - Birds of our Bogs
Send us Fan MailIn 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
In Your Nature Ep 31 - FairSeas
Send us Fan MailIn 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
In Your Nature Ep 30 - Dublin Bay and The Dublin Bay Birds Project
Send us Fan MailIn 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 choosin
In Your Nature Ep 29 - Minister Pippa Hackett on Land Use Policy
Send us Fan MailIn 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
In Your Nature Ep 28 - Merlin
Send us Fan MailWe 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
In Your Nature Ep 27 - Spiders
Send us Fan MailWe 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
In Your Nature Ep 26 - Garden Birds/Garden Bird Survey
Send us Fan MailIn 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 Bir
In Your Nature Ep 25 - Birding Culture
Send us Fan MailIn 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
In Your Nature Ep 24 - Life at Cape Clear Bird Observatory
Send us Fan MailIn 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 remarkabl
In Your Nature Ep 23 - Terns
Send us Fan MailIn 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
In Your Nature Ep 22 - Barn Owl Conservation
Send us Fan MailIn 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 t
In Your Nature Ep 21 - Bird Flu.
Send us Fan MailIn 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 pro
In Your Nature Ep 20 - Riverbirds
Send us Fan MailIn 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 Nat
In Your Nature Ep 19 - Irish Wildlife Sounds
Send us Fan MailThis 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 ras
In Your Nature Ep 18 - Bird Eggs
Send us Fan MailBird 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 partnersh
In Your Nature Ep 17 - Harpers Island
Send us Fan MailWe 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 Harp
In Your Nature Ep 16 - Species Extinctions
Send us Fan MailSince 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 r
In Your Nature Ep 15 - Species Reintroductions
Send us Fan MailThere 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 t
In Your Nature Ep 14 - Crows
Send us Fan MailThe 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 hum
In Your Nature Ep 13 - Christmas Special
Send us Fan MailIn 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 I
In Your Nature Ep 12 - Curlew Conservation
Send us Fan MailIn 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 (Assistan
In Your Nature Ep 11 - Seabirds
Send us Fan MailThe 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 th
In Your Nature Ep 10 - No Such Thing as a Seagull
Send us Fan MailThere 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 awf
In Your Nature Ep 09 - Questions Children Ask (Cruinniú na nÓg Special)
Send us Fan MailIn 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
In Your Nature Ep 08 - The Shannon Callows
Send us Fan MailIn 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
In Your Nature Ep 07 - Swifts
Send us Fan MailIn 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 th
In Your Nature Ep 06 - Wildflowers
Send us Fan MailThis 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
In Your Nature Ep 05 - Bogs
Send us Fan MailIn 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 Podcas
In Your Nature Ep 04 - Buzzards
Send us Fan MailIn 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-n
In Your Nature Ep 03 - Nest Boxes
Send us Fan MailIn 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
In Your Nature Ep 02 - Dawn Chorus
Send us Fan MailIn 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 recordi
In Your Nature Ep 01 - Birds in Lockdown
Send us Fan MailIn 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
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