Waders
Of the myriad different bird groups that call Ireland home, it could be argued that the ones known as ‘waders’ are the most interesting of all. Supremely adapted to life in a variety of wetland habitats, our island boasts several dozen different species of these mostly long-legged, long-billed birds. Some breed here, while others pass through on migration, but the vast majority journey here in the autumn to spend the cold winter months with us, safely away from the icy clutches of their Arctic breeding grounds.
Ireland is privileged to host internationally important numbers of many wader species over the course of the winter, from Black-tailed Godwits that breed in Iceland to Sanderlings that nest on the tundra of High Arctic Siberia. Some, such as the strikingly black-and-white Oystercatcher, are easy to identify, while others, such as the diminutive and highly secretive Jack Snipe, can be much harder to get to grips with. Some, such as the Dunlin, are abundant, while others, such as the beleaguered Curlew, find themselves on the brink of extinction.
In this special programme, the Mooney Goes Wild team will report from key wader-watching sites around the country, providing no end of fascinating insights into these oft-overlooked world travellers, some of which perform the most astonishing feats of migration. We will also highlight the problems that many of these amazing birds face and will discuss the conservation efforts currently underway to save them and their precious habitats.