Show Notes
Send us Fan Mail In 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 building nests across Ireland. In Ireland, nests and breeding birds are legally protected from March ...
More from In Your Nature
Send us Fan Mail In 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. Murphy shares inspirations and insights into his new book, The Hunt for the Wild Irish Orchid: One...
Send us Fan Mail You 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 size or migration, discover some of the most remarkable bird species in Ireland and beyond. ...
Send us Fan Mail Professor 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 their future. John recalls exploring the bog near his home in Offaly as a young boy. In the m...
Send us Fan Mail In 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. Like much of Ireland's wildlife, butterfly species are on the decline. Even our most common...
Send us Fan Mail In 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 action to reverse the trend. Ricky speaks with Owen about the formidable challenges of protecting vu...