Best By Birdwatch Ireland Podcasts (2024)

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In Your Nature Ep 55 - Eco Tourism (or is it?) 1:01:53

19d ago1:01:53

1:01:53

Send us a Text Message. 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 be…

1
In Your Nature Ep 54 - Global Birdfair 2024 1:01:49

16d ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Send us a Text Message. This 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 …

1
In Your Nature Ep 53 - Bats 45:17

1M ago45:17

45:17

Send us a Text Message. 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…

1
In Your Nature Ep 52 - Herons (Critter Shed Colab) 38:13

1M ago38:13

38:13

Send us a Text Message. 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…

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In Your Nature Ep 51 - Ticks, Mites and Flat Flies (Critter Shed Collab) 39:00

2M ago39:00

39:00

Send us a Text Message. 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 s…

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In Your Nature Ep 50 - Live from Wild Mind 48:59

2M ago48:59

48:59

Send us a Text Message. 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 stag…

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In Your Nature Ep 49 - What's at Santa's Bird Table 38:00

9M ago38:00

38:00

Send us a Text Message. 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 en…

1
In Your Nature Ep 48 - The New Invasives 59:33

9M ago59:33

59:33

Send us a Text Message. 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 Biol…

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In Your Nature Ep 47 - Where Are They Now? 44:47

9M ago44:47

44:47

Send us a Text Message. 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…

1
In Your Nature Ep 46 - Connemara 52:42

9M ago52:42

52:42

Send us a Text Message. 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…

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In Your Nature Ep 45 - Ireland Vs New Zealand Bird-off Part 2 35:19

10M ago35:19

35:19

Send us a Text Message. 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…

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In Your Nature Ep 44 - Ireland Vs New Zealand Bird-off Part 1 34:32

10M ago34:32

34:32

Send us a Text Message. 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 b…

1
In Your Nature Ep 43 - Swift Conservation 48:22

12M ago48:22

48:22

Send us a Text Message. 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…

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In Your Nature Ep 42 - Moths 53:37

12M ago53:37

53:37

Send us a Text Message. 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, t…

1
In Your Nature Ep 41 - Hedgerows + Pollinators 36:25

1y ago36:25

36:25

Send us a Text Message. 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 …

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In Your Nature Ep 40 - The Pine Marten with Dr Denise O'Meara 41:55

1y ago41:55

41:55

Send us a Text Message. 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 slo…

1
In Your Nature Ep 39 - Bird Flu Update 43:14

1y ago43:14

43:14

Send us a Text Message. 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 p…

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In Your Nature Ep 38 - Hedgehogs with Elaine O'Riordan 38:00

1y ago38:00

38:00

Send us a Text Message. 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 popul…

1
In Your Nature Ep 37 - Hen Harriers 52:01

1+ y ago52:01

52:01

Send us a Text Message. 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.…

1
In Your Nature Ep 36 - Wildlife Ponds with Rob Gandola 55:04

1+ y ago55:04

55:04

Send us a Text Message. 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 i…

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In Your Nature Ep 35 - Dawn Chorus Live From East Coast Nature Reserve 44:59

1+ y ago44:59

44:59

Send us a Text Message. 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,…

1
In Your Nature Ep 34 - Avian Eurovision 50:24

1+ y ago50:24

50:24

Send us a Text Message. 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 ar…

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In Your Nature Ep 33 - Conservation Canines 35:14

1+ y ago35:14

35:14

Send us a Text Message. 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. Ror…

1
In Your Nature Ep 32 - Birds of our Bogs 52:31

1+ y ago52:31

52:31

Send us a Text Message. 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…

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In Your Nature Ep 31 - FairSeas 43:17

2y ago43:17

43:17

Send us a Text Message. 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…

1
In Your Nature Ep 30 - Dublin Bay and The Dublin Bay Birds Project 41:51

2y ago41:51

41:51

Send us a Text Message. 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…

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In Your Nature Ep 29 - Minister Pippa Hackett on Land Use Policy 48:25

2y ago48:25

48:25

Send us a Text Message. 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 Fi…

1
In Your Nature Ep 28 - Merlin 38:24

2y ago38:24

38:24

Send us a Text Message. 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 notori…

1
In Your Nature Ep 27 - Spiders 50:35

2y ago50:35

50:35

Send us a Text Message. 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 mate…

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In Your Nature Ep 26 - Garden Birds/Garden Bird Survey 33:51

2y ago33:51

33:51

Send us a Text Message. 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 garde…

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In Your Nature Ep 25 - Birding Culture 55:30

2y ago55:30

55:30

Send us a Text Message. 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. Bi…

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In Your Nature Ep 24 - Life at Cape Clear Bird Observatory 44:16

2y ago44:16

44:16

Send us a Text Message. 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 o…

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In Your Nature Ep 23 - Terns 1:01:10

2y ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Send us a Text Message. 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 Bi…

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In Your Nature Ep 22 - Barn Owl Conservation 51:14

2y ago51:14

51:14

Send us a Text Message. 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 f…

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In Your Nature Ep 21 - Bird Flu. 29:13

2y ago29:13

29:13

Send us a Text Message. 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 "B…

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In Your Nature Ep 20 - Riverbirds 44:31

2y ago44:31

44:31

Send us a Text Message. 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 d…

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In Your Nature Ep 19 - Irish Wildlife Sounds 49:51

2+ y ago49:51

49:51

Send us a Text Message. 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…

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In Your Nature Ep 18 - Bird Eggs 40:50

2+ y ago40:50

40:50

Send us a Text Message. 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…

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In Your Nature Ep 17 - Harpers Island 33:49

2+ y ago33:49

33:49

Send us a Text Message. 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 ornithologis…

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In Your Nature Ep 16 - Species Extinctions 36:57

2+ y ago36:57

36:57

Send us a Text Message. 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 t…

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In Your Nature Ep 15 - Species Reintroductions 37:34

2+ y ago37:34

37:34

Send us a Text Message. 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 …

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In Your Nature Ep 14 - Crows 52:03

2+ y ago52:03

52:03

Send us a Text Message. 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 a…

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In Your Nature Ep 13 - Christmas Special 32:38

2+ y ago32:38

32:38

Send us a Text Message. 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…

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In Your Nature Ep 12 - Curlew Conservation 38:53

3y ago38:53

38:53

Send us a Text Message. 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…

1
In Your Nature Ep 11 - Seabirds 43:27

3y ago43:27

43:27

Send us a Text Message. 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…

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In Your Nature Ep 10 - No Such Thing as a Seagull 42:24

3y ago42:24

42:24

Send us a Text Message. 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 …

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In Your Nature Ep 09 - Questions Children Ask (Cruinniú na nÓg Special) 55:45

3y ago55:45

55:45

Send us a Text Message. 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 …

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In Your Nature Ep 08 - The Shannon Callows 40:09

3y ago40:09

40:09

Send us a Text Message. 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 w…

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In Your Nature Ep 07 - Swifts 41:06

3+ y ago41:06

41:06

Send us a Text Message. 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 ec…

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In Your Nature Ep 06 - Wildflowers 47:45

3+ y ago47:45

47:45

Send us a Text Message. 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 sp…

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