This week Derek, Richard, Eanna and Niall talk to Terry Flanagan who checks out a hungry tree, Brian McCann who tells us about a Golden Eagle born in captivity and Ken Whelan on what salmon eyes tell us about their diets.

Derek spotted this swallow in Fairview Park, Dublin

First Golden eagle born in captivity in Ireland

Last May we heard the great news that for the first time in Ireland – a rare Golden Eagle has been born through artificial insemination. This relates to birds in captivity as opposed to those which were reintroduced into the wild here about 20 years ago. Brian McCann is the owner of Newgrange Falconry, the man who has made it all happen.

Brian and the Eagle chick

The Hungry Tree

Terry Flanagan sitting on the bench

The Hungry Tree is a tree in the grounds of the King's Inns in Dublin, Ireland. The 80-year-old plane tree has become known for having partially consumed a nearby park bench. The tree was planted next to a cast iron bench dating from the early 1800s. Over decades the tree has grown to encompass the bench and is said to be "eating" the bench, which is how the tree's name originated.

The tree has been listed as one of the country’s "Heritage Trees" by the Tree Council of Ireland and it has been listed largely for its value as a curiosity and tourist attraction rather than its age or rarity.

Terry Flanagan visited the tree to find out more.

Zebra Fish and Blindness

Fisheries scientist Dr Ken Whelan on what salmon eyes tell us about their diets and the Sail fish being the fastest fish in the ocean.

Atlantic Sailfish Swimming in Blue Water - Photo Getty

A Message from Ken:

I've been out and about working on various rivers and streams this week and I'm quite shocked by the level of pollution that is evident in some of our smaller streams. I’d like to put out a plea to those who have these small, delicate water courses on their land to please make sure to spread slurry and other animal manures well away from the edges / banks of these streams / to follow the weather guidelines for spreading and to consider installing solar water pumps /nose pumps for cattle, rather than having cattle and other animals accessing and polluting streams.

To those building our much needed houses: please make sure that adequate sewage treatment systems are in place before folks move in and finally anybody with a septic tank please, please do check it and make sure it is functioning correctly!