In Your Nature

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You may know the Ostrich is the world’s largest bird, but did you know an extinct bird known as the Elephant Bird was around five times heavier? Or that Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture can fly at altitudes of up to 11,000 metres — more than 2,000 metres above Mount Everest!
This week, Niall and Ricky are talking about record-breaking birds. From speed and longevity, to wingbeats, clutch size or migration, discover some of the most remarkable bird species in Ireland and beyond. 
The Bird of the Week is the Blue Tit - a common visitor to our gardens that may occasionally get overlooked. Where does that striking yellow color from? How can I attract more to my garden? Don't worry, Niall and Ricky have got you covered. 
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council, and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.
The series is supported by Offaly and Westmeath County Councils, the Heritage Council's Ceangal programme, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.

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Professor John Feehan is a renowned Irish geologist, botanist, author and former lecturer at University College Dublin (UCD), widely respected for his work interpreting Ireland’s landscapes, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
In this episode, he shares his deep knowledge of Ireland’s peatlands, exploring their ecological and cultural importance whilst offering a perspective on their future. 
John recalls exploring the bog near his home in Offaly as a young boy. In the middle of this bog was a lake, where he saw his first dragonfly. Now, the same bog is a brown desert. 
This week, Niall and Ricky learn more about Irish bogs with John.
Bogs are deeply connected with Irish culture and heritage. But, there are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to what bogs are and what the best course of action, if any, is to restore them.
The series is supported by Offaly and Westmeath County Councils, the Heritage Council's Ceangal programme, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.

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In this week's episode of In Your Nature, Ricky and Niall are diving into the world of bird nests. Whether the nest is on the ground, in a cavity, or reused from another species, nests are just as unique as the birds who use them. Long before a chick is hatched or a egg is laid, birds pick specific spots for their nests and to build their families.
Learn how, when, and who is building nests across Ireland.
In Ireland, nests and breeding birds are legally protected from March 1 to August 31. As curious as we, or our pets, may be about how a nest is doing, it's important to never disturb a nest. Even minor disturbances can be detrimental to the success of that bird's breeding season. 
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council, and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.
The series is supported by Offaly and Westmeath County Councils, the Heritage Council's Ceangal programme, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.

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In Your Nature with Niall Hatch and Ricky Whelan is back! Kicking off the season at Bog of Allen Nature Reserve in Co. Kildare, Niall and Ricky meet up with butterfly guru, Jesmond Harding. 
The three explore the reserve while covering a range of topics, from fascinating wing adaptations that trick hungry predators to specific plants required for the survival of different species. Like much of Ireland's wildlife, butterfly species are on the decline. Even our most common species are in trouble. Out of the 30 butterfly species found in Ireland, only 15 have substantial data, with records only formally starting in 2008, all of which show a decline in population. 
Bog of Allen Nature Reserve is the perfect place to talk butterfly—two-thirds of Ireland's butterfly species can be found at this location. Within minutes, Jesmond names off several of the species they can see, including Common Blues, Peacocks (not the bird), Silver-washed Fritillary and much more. But it's not just the butterflies that make this area unique, it's the combination of plants, trees and grasses that make this place a butterfly haven.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council, and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Offaly and Westmeath County Councils, the Heritage Council's Ceangal programme, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.

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In Your Nature is back for a new season and this time we welcome Owen Murphy, Senior Project Manager with the Breeding Waders EIP, to discuss the ambitious and urgent work being done to conserve Ireland’s most threatened ground-nesting birds. With populations of species like the Curlew, Lapwing, and Redshank in steep decline, the Breeding Waders EIP is taking bold, science-led action to reverse the trend.
Ricky speaks with Owen about the formidable challenges of protecting vulnerable bird species in a modern agricultural landscape. A significant portion of their conversation focuses on predator control—an often controversial but essential tool in the conservation toolkit. They explore how targeted interventions are helping to reduce predation pressure on ground-nesting birds like the Curlew, enabling more chicks to fledge successfully. 
The discussion also delves into the cultural importance of retaining native species, with the Curlew symbolizing a deep connection to Ireland’s natural heritage and rural identity. Ricky and Owen reflect on the difficult but necessary conversations around land use policy, acknowledging that meaningful change will require balancing ecological priorities with the realities faced by farmers and landowners. The conversation highlights the complexity of the task, the dedication of the team, and the hope that remains for these iconic species.
The Oystercatcher is Bird of the Week, a striking black-and-white wader with a vivid orange bill, known for its loud piping calls and fondness for coastal and estuarine habitats.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council, and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.