In Your Nature

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.

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.Further info links mentioned by Rob:- The Herpetological Society of Ireland - The Herpetological Society of Ireland – Education – Research -Conservation (thehsi.org)- An Taisce’s Legacy4LIFE Ponds for Biodiversity project - Legacy4LIFE - Ponds Project | An Taisce - The National Trust For Ireland - The Freshwater Habitats Trust - Buy The Pond Book - Freshwater Habitats TrustFreshwater Habitats Trust- Jack Ashton - How To Make the Ultimate Wildlife Pond - Part 1 - Digging the Pond - YouTube 

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.

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.

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.

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 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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 bird watchers 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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.