Panel: Richard Collins and Terry Flanagan
Reporter: Terry Flanagan
In addition to listening to us on RTÉ Radio 1 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.
Do Daddy Robins Feed The Chicks?
During the week, we received a voice note from one of our listeners, Sean Murray. He had observed a family of Robins in his garden, with both Mammy Robin and Daddy Robin feeding the little chicks, and wondered - is it usual for Daddy Robins to feed the young?
Dr. Richard Collins and Terry Flanagan give their thoughts on Sean's query. And if you have a question that you'd like our panel to answer, just e-mail mooney@rte.ie!
Nature On One - Lapwing
Tx 1st June 2026, 12:00. RTÉ Radio 1
Presenter: Karla Goodman; Producer; Derek Mooney
Often referred to as Ireland's 'national bird’, the Lapwing holds a special place in our countryside from folklore to farming traditions. Yet today, this beautiful bird is on Ireland’s Red List of endangered species. In this Nature On One special, Karla Goodman traces the Lapwing’s place in Irish life, examines the pressures on its survival, and explores how conservation efforts could secure its future.
For further information about Lapwings, visit https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds/lapwing/.
Bloom, Biodiversity & Invasive Species Bureau
Also next Bank Holiday Monday, Eanna ni Lamhna will present a special edition of Mooney Goes Wild recorded at Bloom 2026. Now in it's 20th year, Bord Bia Bloom takes place from Thursday, May 28th - Monday, June 1st, in Dublin's Phoenix Park. In this programme, Éanna takes a personal look at this year's festival of flowers, a show her brother was involved in establishing twenty years ago and explores its strong focus on biodiversity.
For more information about Bloom, including the The Birdwatcher's Balcony Garden, designed by Barry Kavanagh and sponsored by RTÉ Radio 1 and Mooney Goes Wild, visit https://www.bordbiabloom.com/.
Speaking of biodiversity, last week was National Biodiversity Week, and our Eanna went all around the country chatting to students and groups about how we can help preserve biodiversity in Ireland. She chats about some of the areas she visited, and those she spoke to.
And one other significant event from last week was the launch of the Invasive Species Bureau (click here to read more about this). This new partnership, between the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC), aims to strengthen Ireland's approach to managing invasive species. For further information about Invasive Species, and to report a sighting, visit https://invasives.ie/.
Badger-Watching In Dublin
Mooney Goes Wild reporter Terry Flanagan meets up with wildlife enthusiast Gustavo Zoladz, who recently discovered two badger setts along the River Dodder in Dublin...
Cruising The Skelligs
When you think of cruising, you'd probably imagine turquoise waters in the Bahamas or ice sheets in the Antarctic - but you don't have to go that far for something truly special! You can find it right here, along our own Irish coast. This evening, ornithologist and wildlife guide Jim Wilson joins us from onboard the National Geographic Explorer ship, currently cruising around the Skelligs, searching for Puffins, Gannets and much more!
Burren Archaeology Festival
The Burren, in Co. Clare, is an extraordinary place - almost otherworldly at times. The vast limestone landscape, with wildflowers pushing up through the cracks; ancient tombs and traces of people stretching back thousands of years. And it's that sense of connection between landscape, people and the deep past that's at the heart of the Burren Archaeology Festival.
Heritage Keepers Coordinator Mary Dillon, from Burrenbeo, chats to Derek, Richard and Terry about the Burren Archaeology Festival, which will take place on Saturday, June 20th and Sunday, June 21st. For more information about the Festival, visit https://burrenbeo.com/our-work/events/archaeologyfestival/.