In Your Nature Ep 38 - Hedgehogs with Elaine O'Riordan
This weeks episode features Elaine O'Riordan, who is studying the ecology of the European Hedgehog in an Irish context for her PhD in the National University of Ireland Galway. Elaine has run the Irish Hedgehog Survey for the last number of years, looking at how citizen scientists can feed into our understanding of the population of Hedgehogs in Ireland. Ricky and Elaine chat about the various species of Hedgehogs worldwide, their diet, dependence on our gardens, hibernation and how citizen science can play a role in better understanding this fascinating mammal. Bird of the Week this week is the Bullfinch. A stunningly beautiful bird, Niall fills us in as to how it benefits hugely from 'No Mow May' feeding on Dandelions, and will also benefit from fruiting trees such as cherry, plum and apple trees.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.