Nature On One: Talking Birds
First broadcast: Monday, May 4th 2026 at 12:00
Repeated: Monday, May 11th 2026 at 22:00
Produced and presented by Derek Mooney
Corkonians Jim Wilson and Seán Ronayne share a lifelong passion for birds and for the wild places that shaped them. Both grew up in Cobh on the Great Island, just a short stroll from each other and only minutes from Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve, the place that first sparked their fascination with the natural world. In this Nature on One special, Jim and Seán guide listeners on a walk through Cuskinny, exploring its mosaic of habitats and revealing the rich web of birdlife that thrives there.
Along the way, Seán talks about his ongoing project to eavesdrop on the creatures of the reserve. Over the course of a year, he will attempt to record all its natural sounds and capture the unique acoustic fingerprint of this oasis of wilderness in the heart of Cork Harbour. Together, Jim and Seán reflect on why Cuskinny became their gateway into nature and why precious places like this matter now more than ever.
For more information about Cuskinny, visit https://cuskinnynaturereserve.com/.
To follow Jim and see some of his stunning wildlife photos and videos on Instagram, click here: https://www.instagram.com/limosawit/.
For further information about Seán and his remarkable work, visit https://www.irishwildlifesounds.com/.
Click here to watch Derek Mooney talking to Jim Wilson about the wildlife of Cuskinny Marsh from the RTÉ Today show from 31/03/26:
To view Seán's acclaimed show Birdsong on the RTÉ Player, click here.