In Your Nature
The In Your Nature Podcast brings you conversations about birds & wildlife, wild places, the work of BirdWatch Ireland and wildlife conservationists. The podcast features Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland with regular expert guests. BirdWatch Ireland is Ireland's largest independent conservation organisation. Episodes are released in seasons (three per year) with six episodes in each, dropping weekly (Monday mornings) in spring, summer, and autumn. Topics discussed vary, with birds and wider biodiversity at the heart of it all, each episode finishes with the "Bird of the Week" feature in homage to this wonderful group of animals. To give feedback, suggest topics or ask a question you can email us at info@birdwatchireland.ie . The series is supported by Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.
In Your Nature
In Your Nature Ep 48 - The New Invasives
This week In Your Nature focuses on the topic of invasive species, looking specifically at two new kids on the block, the Quagga Mussel and the Alpine Newt*, two recently discovered unwelcome colonisers!
Ricky speaks to alien invasive species expert Dr. Jan-Robert Baars, Lecturer and Assistant Professor at the School of Biology and Environmental Sciences at University College Dublin (UCD). Jan is an expert in the field with particular interest in invasion biology. Jan’s work together with colleagues in UCD and the Herpetological Society of Ireland have been monitoring Quagga Mussels and Alpines Newts since they’ve established and now appear to be thriving here in Ireland.
The Rose-ringed Parakeet is our Bird of the Week, a charismatic yet invasive species now gaining a foothold in Dublin and some of our other urban centres.
Learn more about the species featured in this episode at the links below...
- Alpine Newt
*The Alpine Newt is not currently recognised as an alien invasive species in Ireland. More here.
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 and the Heritage Council.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.