In addition to listening to us on RTÉ Radio One at 22:00 every Monday night, don't forget that you can also listen back to each of our programmes any time you like at www.rte.ie/mooney. There, you will find an extensive archive of past broadcasts, conveniently split into different topics and segments.

Tonight’s programme is a special compilation of some of the highlights from our seven-hour live broadcast of the Dawn Chorus that took place on Sunday, 4th May. If you would like to listen back to this marathon radio event in its entirety (and we highly recommend that you do), simply visit https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/11714488/

The highlights of Dawn Chorus 2025

Are you looking to relax, unwind and immerse yourself in one of the most spectacular phenomena that the natural world has to offer? If so, it’s time to set your ears free and relive the magic of Mooney Goes Wild’s seven-hour live broadcast of the Dawn Chorus.

Tonight’s programme is a special 'highlights' edition of that marathon live broadcast, which aired on 4th May as a simulcast on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ Lyric FM.

We begin here in Ireland with the bubbling calls of a wading bird called the Whimbrel, a close relative of the more famous Curlew, stopping off briefly in BirdWatch Ireland’s Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve in Co. Cork to refuel as it migrates from Africa to Iceland. Accompanying it is the energetic song of the Sedge Warbler, also freshly arrived from Africa.

From there, the we move east to Finland – where the dawn chorus is already in full voice, almost two hours ahead of Ireland – where the star of the show is the almost otherworldly booming call of the Bittern, courtesy of our friends in Yle, the Finnish national broadcaster.

Our journey then follows the westward track of the rising sun, bringing us back home to Ireland just as the morning light sparks to life and our own dawn chorus reaches its full glory.

Alongside live birdsong, the highlights include expert commentary from Jim Wilson, Niall Hatch and Eric Dempsey . . . and plenty of you, our listeners, courtesy of the many messages, recordings and reflections you so kindly shared with us throughout the morning.

This programme captures the standout moments from a unique live radio event that celebrates both the beauty of the natural world and the community that gathers each year to listen together. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it for you.

For more information about the key birds of the dawn chorus, visit https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/nature/2018/0504/960296-birds-of-the-dawn-chorus/

For more information about Whimbrels, visit https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds/whimbrel/

For more information about Sedge Warblers, visit https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds/sedge-warbler/

For more information about Bitterns, visit https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/list-of-herons/eurasian-bittern/