0:00:08 > 0:00:10I have always believed that the best stories
0:00:10 > 0:00:12are found in the heart of France.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25Miles of beautiful countryside,
0:00:25 > 0:00:29with villages so old, they seem part of the landscape.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39This one has stood here for 1,000 years.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45What secrets could be hidden
0:00:45 > 0:00:47amongst these ancient walls?
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Maybe more than meets the eye.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Living out of sight is a world of wild creatures.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Creatures that have come in from the wilderness...
0:01:13 > 0:01:16..and made the village their home.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17They are now our neighbours.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22They swapped treetops for rooftops...
0:01:24 > 0:01:26..the forest floor for the flowerbed...
0:01:29 > 0:01:32..and make themselves at home in the most surprising places.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34SNORING
0:01:36 > 0:01:40The village can provide all the riches these animals need,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44both inside and outside its walls.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48But living alongside us can be...
0:01:49 > 0:01:50..dangerous.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59The very latest specialist technology
0:01:59 > 0:02:00creates this unique animal drama.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12This is the story of a year
0:02:12 > 0:02:15as you've never seen it before.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18A year in the village.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34This story starts in the New Year.
0:02:34 > 0:02:35BELL TOLLS
0:02:35 > 0:02:37A time to start looking ahead.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42COCK CROWS
0:02:42 > 0:02:45For us, the worst of winter is now over.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50But some of our animal lodgers are still hibernating.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Why get up, if you don't have to?
0:02:57 > 0:02:58ALARM CLOCK BLEEPING
0:03:04 > 0:03:07We don't notice our sleeping neighbours.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19We are too preoccupied with our hectic modern lives.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32RUMBLING AND RATTLING
0:03:32 > 0:03:34HORN TOOTS
0:03:34 > 0:03:38If only we could pause and look for a moment.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42We might notice the beautiful stories
0:03:42 > 0:03:43that play out above our heads.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53The village is full of warm and dry places for creatures to live.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05A red squirrel has made his nest up in the rooftops.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09They are forest creatures,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12but here, roof tiles are their kingdom.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19BIRDS SQUAWK
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Living in the village means
0:04:25 > 0:04:28there is a chance of food to eat all year round.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30He's better off than his country cousins.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44And there is another bonus to coming here.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48A bird feeder is the best place to meet other squirrels.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51ROMANTIC ACCORDION PLAYS
0:04:51 > 0:04:53And this one is a female.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00She's got more than food on her mind.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Female squirrels are only fertile for one day every six months.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12This is the day.
0:05:14 > 0:05:15Hmm.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Food is forgotten.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26But she's got a challenge for him.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29To test his suitability,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32she needs him to prove his strength.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47She will lead him a merry chase for more than five hours
0:05:47 > 0:05:48to test his fitness.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11He's still just a youngster
0:06:11 > 0:06:12and for him,
0:06:12 > 0:06:14this love chase is not going well.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36DOG WHINES
0:06:43 > 0:06:44He's lost her!
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Who knows when another female will come along?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53There's only one thing for a loser to do.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Get back on the protein-rich nuts,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01and build his strength up for next time.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07His urge to mate is fundamental.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10It's the same for all the creatures in the village.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Time is short.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20So, the sooner they start, the better.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26The winter nights are still drawn out.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28But that's a good thing
0:07:28 > 0:07:32for those who need the cover of darkness to go about their business.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36The first hints that the season is changing are here.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41So subtle, we would struggle to notice them.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43OWL HOOTS
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Perhaps it's a change in the atmosphere.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51RUSTLING
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Perhaps the temperature rises by a fraction of a degree.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00It's enough to start a mysterious awakening.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Eight inches below the surface of the soil,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09it's safe from frost.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Now, it's time for toads to rise.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34They wake with the powerful instinct to find water.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39The village pond is their destination.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42TOAD CROAKS
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Male toads are out first...
0:08:45 > 0:08:47..and immediately are on the move.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50To the pond!
0:08:55 > 0:08:57There's going to be some competition!
0:08:59 > 0:09:01CROAKING AND RUMBLING
0:09:01 > 0:09:02So to get there quickly,
0:09:02 > 0:09:05the shortest route is always chosen.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09In this village world,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12that means crossing the road.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17It should be safe enough in the dead of the night, no?
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Together, they wait for females.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28But not every male follows this plan.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Some have a different strategy.
0:09:33 > 0:09:34They lie in wait,
0:09:34 > 0:09:38hoping to intercept a female before she reaches the pond.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Sneaky.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45We'll leave him waiting.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50What else is happening on this cold night?
0:09:54 > 0:09:57The shadows of the village hide burglars and thieves.
0:10:04 > 0:10:05CHICKEN SNORES
0:10:05 > 0:10:08These chickens were born and bred in captivity...
0:10:13 > 0:10:17..and depend completely on us villagers to keep them safe.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31A lot of trouble has gone into reinforcing this chicken shed.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36But we're all human...
0:10:38 > 0:10:41..and someone has left the door open.
0:10:42 > 0:10:43SNIFFING
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Chickens have no defence.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02A predator could kill every bird in the coop.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Is there about to be a bloodbath?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21TWIG SNAPS, SNORING STOPS
0:11:30 > 0:11:32A stone marten.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36In the wild,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39these predators often raid birds' nests.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43CLUCKING
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Males are very dangerous,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48but this female is happy with just eggs.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56These eggs were intended for the farmer's breakfast.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59He will not be pleased.
0:12:01 > 0:12:02SNORING
0:12:17 > 0:12:18Oops.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21LOUD CLUCKING
0:12:25 > 0:12:26Time to go.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35It's nearly dawn.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37The villagers are stirring.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44STARTLED MEOW
0:12:46 > 0:12:47BIKE RATTLING
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Any toads hoping to cross the road tonight had better hurry.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19This female is the last to emerge.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22She too has spent winter underground.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28But all that time, her body has been working hard.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33She's developed thousands of eggs, and her belly is heavy.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42But the closer it gets to dawn,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45..the more chance she has of a dangerous encounter
0:13:45 > 0:13:47with human traffic.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55But even before she can cross...
0:13:57 > 0:13:59..an ambush.
0:13:59 > 0:14:00TOAD CROAKS
0:14:11 > 0:14:13That sneaky male has made his play.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20All very well for him,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23but the last thing she needs is extra weight.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25CROAKING
0:14:26 > 0:14:28The road must still be crossed.
0:14:46 > 0:14:47Zut!
0:14:47 > 0:14:49WHOOSHING AND WHIRRING
0:15:16 > 0:15:17SQUELCH
0:15:51 > 0:15:52They've made it.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55But where is everybody?
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Fighting for a mate, that's where.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12By pairing up in advance,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16they avoid this maelstrom of wrestling toads.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20They can lay their eggs in peace.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Toad spawn is an early sign of spring.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32And in this part of France,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35spring means the weather warms quickly.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41It's planting time.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50The village will soon be in bloom.
0:17:11 > 0:17:12HE SNEEZES
0:17:12 > 0:17:13Bless you.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16Before we know it...
0:17:17 > 0:17:18..spring is everywhere.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25The new season brings us villagers out and about...
0:17:25 > 0:17:26Bonjour! Salut!
0:17:26 > 0:17:29..including a creature who craves the warmth of the sun.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32She's spent the winter protected
0:17:32 > 0:17:35inside the cracks of these stone walls.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41The hornet queen.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44She too is full of fertile eggs.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49She has to find a secret place to build her nest.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Hornets are not welcome in the village.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59An undisturbed attic is warm and dry.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Perfect.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13And there are other creatures
0:18:13 > 0:18:17that seek the peace and quiet of our attics, too.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23No-one in the village sleeps longer than these dormice.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25They won't get up until Midsummer.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30But the sun is getting stronger every day.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37Summer is not so very far away...
0:18:38 > 0:18:43..and we villagers start to spend more time outside in our gardens.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Some of us even invite the animals to join us.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05This is a bird feeder.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11The clue is in the name.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20But that means nothing to our squirrel.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28He needs to get a lot bigger and stronger
0:19:28 > 0:19:32if he is to have better luck impressing a female.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Feasting on the free nuts is his best chance.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08The feeder isn't designed to support his weight.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40That was more than he bargained for.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52But to the bird lover,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54this is nothing less than theft.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10CREAKING
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Time for a patented squirrel-proof bird feeder.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Is life in the village about to get a little less harmonious?
0:22:08 > 0:22:09SNORING
0:22:09 > 0:22:13In the Midsummer heat, what else to do but take a siesta?
0:22:16 > 0:22:20Stone martens are not welcomed either.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25So, sensibly, they sleep in a different place every day
0:22:25 > 0:22:27to cover their tracks. CLANKING
0:22:27 > 0:22:29MUSIC FROM VAN
0:22:32 > 0:22:33A mechanic's workshop.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37He has been busier than usual.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40There has been a recent spate of unexplained breakdowns.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46MUSIC STOPS, DOOR CLOSES
0:22:57 > 0:22:59PHONE RINGS
0:23:01 > 0:23:02Oui, allo?
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Oui, oui, il n'y a pas de probleme.
0:23:04 > 0:23:05Hein, lundi...
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Stone martens are territorial creatures.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Another marten has been scent-marking this car.
0:23:19 > 0:23:20She can smell it.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26This needs investigating.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34SNIFFING
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Stone martens often like to sleep beneath the bonnet,
0:23:53 > 0:23:55enjoying the warmth of the engine.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59One has clearly been sleeping in this one.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01It reeks of a rival.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08Strangely, stone martens also love the taste of rubber.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12They are notorious for chewing through cables.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19But she should be careful.
0:24:20 > 0:24:26Many a stone marten has been killed by biting through the wrong one.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28ELECTRIC CRACKLING
0:24:28 > 0:24:31HORN TOOTING ERRATICALLY
0:24:38 > 0:24:40ENGINE TURNS OVER
0:24:40 > 0:24:41FRENCH RADIO BLARES
0:24:47 > 0:24:50RADIO: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
0:24:53 > 0:24:55STATION CHANGES TO FRENCH HIP-HOP
0:24:55 > 0:24:58HORN STILL TOOTING
0:24:58 > 0:25:00CLASSICAL RADIO PLAYING
0:25:05 > 0:25:07WINDOW MOTOR WHINES
0:25:12 > 0:25:15BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY GUITAR SOLO PLAYS
0:25:15 > 0:25:17MUSIC BECOMES INTERMITTENT
0:25:29 > 0:25:31ENGINE STARTING
0:25:32 > 0:25:34CAR POWERS DOWN
0:25:36 > 0:25:37FAINT ALARM PINGING
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Oui, cherie, j'ai presque fini.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Hein...dans dix minutes, a peu pres.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43A tout de suite!
0:25:52 > 0:25:57Across Europe, stone martens damage half a million cars a year.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58Ah, regarde!
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Probably time to move on.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Stealing from us villagers is always a dangerous game.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34In the battle for nuts, the bird lover has ordered, er...
0:26:35 > 0:26:36..a weapon.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41The real fight for the peanuts is about to begin.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03SNIFFING
0:27:10 > 0:27:12CLAWS SCRAPING
0:27:21 > 0:27:25MOTOR WHINES
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Phew, that was unexpected!
0:27:39 > 0:27:40MOTOR WHINES
0:27:55 > 0:27:56CAT MEOWS
0:28:01 > 0:28:04No more free food for you, my friend.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Perhaps it's time to head back out to the woods.
0:28:10 > 0:28:11As summer reaches its peak...
0:28:13 > 0:28:16..the village turns into a battleground,
0:28:16 > 0:28:17in more ways than one.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28MUSIC: Flight of The Bumblebee by Rimski-Korsakov
0:28:38 > 0:28:39CROAKING
0:28:48 > 0:28:49BUZZING
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Before they can transform into a butterfly,
0:29:15 > 0:29:21caterpillars need to eat 27,000 times their own body weight
0:29:21 > 0:29:22in cabbage.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24BUZZING
0:29:26 > 0:29:27There won't be much left.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32BUZZING
0:29:32 > 0:29:35But there's an unlikely hero coming in to the rescue.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47This hornet worker is hunting...
0:29:47 > 0:29:49SQUELCHING
0:29:50 > 0:29:52..for food to take back to her nest...
0:29:56 > 0:30:00..where the queen and her brood are waiting.
0:30:01 > 0:30:02DULL DRONING BUZZ
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Suspended from the rafters of the attic,
0:30:08 > 0:30:11the queen's paper nest is now the size of a football.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Surrounded by her workers,
0:30:16 > 0:30:19the queen has already produced more than 100 hungry grubs.
0:30:22 > 0:30:23They are insatiable.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29They scrape the side of the cells,
0:30:29 > 0:30:33demanding that the adults go out and hunt.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40This frenzy of activity will go on for months.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48All summer, countless garden pests mysteriously disappear...
0:30:50 > 0:30:55..ending up as the fuel to power the ever-increasing colony.
0:31:08 > 0:31:13We may not notice the service done by creatures like these hornets.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19But they are essential to our gardens.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Many of us in the village
0:31:28 > 0:31:31take pride in growing the very best for our table.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36Hours of time, attention, patience and care.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Understandably, we aren't keen to share.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45But the idea of ownership
0:31:45 > 0:31:49is something our wild friends don't really understand.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52To them, this is a feast for the taking.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58As soon as darkness falls,
0:31:58 > 0:32:00the animals come out to feed.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07But the hedgehog is not the thief to worry about.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18There is a creature that lives in the shadows of the forest...
0:32:20 > 0:32:22..that normally avoids the village.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27But tonight, the scent of ripening fruit is irresistible.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29LOUD SNUFFLING
0:32:29 > 0:32:33It's a creature that weighs more than twice as much as a man.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37RASPING CALL
0:32:45 > 0:32:47LOW GROWLING GRUNT
0:32:50 > 0:32:52LOUD GRUNTING
0:32:53 > 0:32:55A wild boar.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01200kg of solid muscle.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09LOW SNUFFLING
0:33:09 > 0:33:10GRUNTING ECHOES
0:33:10 > 0:33:14A creature this powerful has no problem getting its own way.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19This fence is finished.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23GROWLING AND CRACKING
0:33:47 > 0:33:50CONTENTED GRUNTS
0:34:02 > 0:34:03HEDGEHOG SNIFFING
0:34:18 > 0:34:20Mmm, nice!
0:34:21 > 0:34:23BOAR GROWLING
0:34:28 > 0:34:29HEDGEHOG SQUEAKS
0:34:41 > 0:34:46This thief won't stop until it has eaten every last tomato.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52But it should leave soon.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55We French do like our saucisson.
0:35:15 > 0:35:16WHOOSHING
0:35:19 > 0:35:23As summer continues, the time for harvest is upon us.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30Some hide what they gather in the most unlikely places.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32BUZZING AND SQUELCHING
0:35:32 > 0:35:37A bumblebee colony is made up of around 100 workers.
0:35:37 > 0:35:38All sisters.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42They sip honey from pots made of wax.
0:35:45 > 0:35:46To keep them full,
0:35:46 > 0:35:49the bumblebees need to forage every daylight hour.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03They can easily travel three miles in the search for nectar.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11But these bees are lucky.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15There are ancient wildflower meadows all around us.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19A rarity nowadays in much of Europe,
0:36:19 > 0:36:21but, thankfully,
0:36:21 > 0:36:23still part of the landscape here.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46It's not just insects that vacate the village
0:36:46 > 0:36:48for the richness of the summer meadows.
0:36:55 > 0:36:56In this forest of grass...
0:37:04 > 0:37:05..fieldmice.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11They come to harvest the seeds.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18There is so much to eat in the meadow,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21there's a mouse every square metre.
0:37:23 > 0:37:28But even this wilderness is a man-made habitat.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35The meadows are maintained by the villagers.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39DISTANT VOICES AND RUMBLING
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Every year, the hay needs to be cut.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48RADIO WARBLING DISTANTLY
0:37:55 > 0:37:58TRUNDLING OF TRACTOR GROWS LOUDER
0:38:10 > 0:38:14RADIO: Tu Es Partout by Edith Piaf
0:38:14 > 0:38:16DRIVER WHISTLES ALONG
0:38:22 > 0:38:24SQUEAKING
0:38:32 > 0:38:34SQUEAKING
0:39:18 > 0:39:20TRUNDLING AND RADIO FADE
0:39:26 > 0:39:29The mouse's world is turned upside down.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35This new world is very different.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38But actually, it's better.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Many seeds were knocked to the ground by the tractor.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45They must feast out here while they can.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Time doesn't wait.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56The cutting of the hay means that summer is over.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01The animals are running out of time to prepare for winter.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10SQUELCHING
0:40:33 > 0:40:35In the woods beyond the village walls,
0:40:35 > 0:40:37the leaves start to turn.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Signs of autumn are everywhere.
0:41:10 > 0:41:11It's toadstool season.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14The red colour spells danger to us.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18But for a red squirrel,
0:41:18 > 0:41:22these toadstools are a source of food almost as important as nuts.
0:41:30 > 0:41:35These fly agaric are actually deadly poisonous to humans.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45But a squirrel can eat these without so much as a tummy ache.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49He stashes them in the trees to dry.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51They'll keep for later.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10All the time he's spent taking free food from the bird feeder
0:42:10 > 0:42:12hasn't dulled his wild foraging instinct.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15Just as well,
0:42:15 > 0:42:19as he'll need to hoard away a huge amount of food
0:42:19 > 0:42:21to keep him going through the winter.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28At this time, toadstools and mushrooms will be popping up
0:42:28 > 0:42:29all around the countryside.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Everyone in the village looks forwards to the season.
0:42:38 > 0:42:39There's one villager
0:42:39 > 0:42:42who really knows how to make the most of the harvest.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47There is an ancient technique that only he knows how to use.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53This old man makes a living
0:42:53 > 0:42:57by working hand in hand with an unlikely partner.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01MUFFLED SQUEALING
0:43:09 > 0:43:10OINKING
0:43:12 > 0:43:13He has a pig.
0:43:17 > 0:43:18This is no ordinary pig.
0:43:25 > 0:43:26OINKING
0:43:28 > 0:43:32Pigs have a better nose for smelling even than dogs.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40The red squirrel is curious.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48OINKING CONTINUES
0:44:06 > 0:44:08LOUD OINK
0:44:19 > 0:44:23The old man uses his pig to sniff out a very special food.
0:44:27 > 0:44:29A truffle.
0:44:33 > 0:44:36Worth more than its weight in gold.
0:44:47 > 0:44:51After spending so much time in the village,
0:44:51 > 0:44:54the squirrel has lost its fear of people.
0:44:54 > 0:44:55OINKING
0:44:59 > 0:45:00And he likes truffles, too.
0:45:36 > 0:45:37HIGH-PITCHED OINKING
0:45:39 > 0:45:42That truffle was worth a day's pay.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12As autumn takes hold...
0:46:13 > 0:46:15..the nights grow longer.
0:46:21 > 0:46:24Strange sounds echo through the streets.
0:46:25 > 0:46:27OWLS HOOT
0:46:28 > 0:46:29CICADAS CHIRP FAINTLY
0:46:36 > 0:46:37OWL CRIES
0:46:39 > 0:46:40A male tawny owl.
0:46:42 > 0:46:44And he has a mate.
0:46:44 > 0:46:46They've been together for ten years.
0:46:48 > 0:46:51For most of the year, they roost apart,
0:46:51 > 0:46:54but every autumn,
0:46:54 > 0:46:56they re-establish their relationship
0:46:56 > 0:46:58with a duet of hoots.
0:46:58 > 0:47:00WARBLING HOOT
0:47:03 > 0:47:05The male calls first,
0:47:05 > 0:47:07and with luck, his mate will respond.
0:47:07 > 0:47:09DISTANT SCREECH
0:47:10 > 0:47:11SCREECH
0:47:11 > 0:47:14But the narrow streets distort the sound.
0:47:14 > 0:47:15HOOT ECHOES
0:47:17 > 0:47:19It's confusing.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22SCREECH
0:47:22 > 0:47:23HOOT
0:47:25 > 0:47:26HOOT THEN SCREECH
0:47:28 > 0:47:30So to be sure to stay in contact...
0:47:32 > 0:47:34..they call, and call...
0:47:35 > 0:47:36MAN SNORES
0:47:36 > 0:47:37..and call...
0:47:37 > 0:47:39LOUD SCREECH
0:47:40 > 0:47:41HOOT
0:47:41 > 0:47:43..all...
0:47:43 > 0:47:44night...
0:47:44 > 0:47:45long.
0:47:51 > 0:47:52SCREECH
0:47:52 > 0:47:53HOOT
0:47:56 > 0:47:58HOOTING
0:48:00 > 0:48:02CALL AND RESPONSE CONTINUES
0:48:19 > 0:48:20SHE SIGHS
0:48:25 > 0:48:27METALLIC RATTLING
0:48:28 > 0:48:30CRASH
0:48:35 > 0:48:38Did something just go bump in the night?
0:48:41 > 0:48:43If you're going to be a squatter...
0:48:45 > 0:48:49..probably best to avoid drawing too much attention to yourself.
0:49:00 > 0:49:02But for some creatures,
0:49:02 > 0:49:04that is too much to ask.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12Dormice.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16They have only been awake for a few weeks.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21The laziest creatures in the village, until now.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25They need to eat a year's worth of food
0:49:25 > 0:49:27in just a few weeks.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34But where is this food?
0:49:37 > 0:49:39Not in here.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48Hazelnuts.
0:49:48 > 0:49:49Their favourite.
0:49:51 > 0:49:53They just need to find their way out.
0:49:55 > 0:49:59Piles of junk makes for an imposing obstacle course.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03A quiet exit is going to be a challenge.
0:50:11 > 0:50:12Mother knows the best route.
0:50:14 > 0:50:18They follow each other's scent trails left by glands in their feet.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49CLINKING
0:51:06 > 0:51:07THUD
0:51:15 > 0:51:17Finally, the exit.
0:51:29 > 0:51:32The outside of the house is easier to navigate.
0:51:34 > 0:51:36Sticky feet help them grip.
0:51:42 > 0:51:45And large tails are good for balance.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59These dormice have an excellent strategy
0:51:59 > 0:52:00to get through the winter.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10They get as fat as they can
0:52:10 > 0:52:12as quickly as possible.
0:52:17 > 0:52:21They eat half their own body weight in nuts,
0:52:21 > 0:52:22more than 30 a night.
0:52:24 > 0:52:26Then, they go back to sleep.
0:52:28 > 0:52:30What a way to live!
0:52:38 > 0:52:40But they should eat quietly.
0:52:40 > 0:52:42The village at night can be dangerous.
0:52:44 > 0:52:45RUSTLING
0:52:49 > 0:52:53There is really no point expecting a dormouse to be quiet.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55RUSTLING
0:52:55 > 0:52:56THUD
0:53:25 > 0:53:28Tawny owls are lethal hunters.
0:53:29 > 0:53:30SQUEAKING
0:53:46 > 0:53:47THUD
0:53:53 > 0:53:54CREAKING
0:53:57 > 0:53:59SQUEAKING AND RATTLING
0:54:19 > 0:54:21LOUD THUMP
0:54:29 > 0:54:30FRAGMENTS TINKLE
0:54:35 > 0:54:38BELL TOLLS
0:54:40 > 0:54:43And with that, the year draws to a close.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54If you can,
0:54:54 > 0:54:56go to sleep, and escape the cold...
0:54:58 > 0:55:01..back beneath the soil.
0:55:18 > 0:55:20Hide away from human eyes.
0:55:24 > 0:55:26GENTLE SNORING
0:55:31 > 0:55:33We won't know you're there.
0:55:33 > 0:55:34SNORING
0:55:44 > 0:55:48The attic is quiet again.
0:55:48 > 0:55:50The hornets' nest, dead.
0:55:55 > 0:55:58But a new queen has crept into the warm.
0:56:00 > 0:56:01Sleep tight.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09The dormice, of course, are out for the count.
0:56:12 > 0:56:14DULL RUMBLE
0:56:15 > 0:56:17RUMBLING
0:56:17 > 0:56:19What's that noise?
0:56:19 > 0:56:20RUMBLING GROWS NEARER
0:56:24 > 0:56:26The year may be almost over,
0:56:26 > 0:56:29but if there's still a chance to mate,
0:56:29 > 0:56:31even now,
0:56:31 > 0:56:33a red squirrel will take it.
0:56:42 > 0:56:45The scent of a female on heat
0:56:45 > 0:56:49will bring a male quite literally running from a mile away.
0:56:51 > 0:56:52SNIFFING
0:56:52 > 0:56:53At last.
0:56:55 > 0:56:56Could this be it?
0:57:02 > 0:57:03All through the year,
0:57:03 > 0:57:08the busy lives of the animals in the village pass us by unseen...
0:57:16 > 0:57:20..unless they accidentally venture into our world.
0:57:21 > 0:57:22GLASS SMASHES
0:57:22 > 0:57:24Aah! Va t'en!
0:57:24 > 0:57:25WOMAN SHRIEKS
0:57:25 > 0:57:27SMASHING CONTINUES
0:57:38 > 0:57:39SQUEAKING
0:57:48 > 0:57:49CAT SNARLS
0:57:49 > 0:57:50PIGEONS COO
0:57:51 > 0:57:53For them,
0:57:53 > 0:57:55life in the village is not without its dangers.
0:57:58 > 0:58:01But the benefits of living here are too much to resist.
0:58:02 > 0:58:03BELL TOLLS
0:58:03 > 0:58:08Animals will always share our lives in the village.
0:58:42 > 0:58:44MUSIC: Dibby Dibby Sound by DJ Fresh
0:58:44 > 0:58:45Check this out!
0:58:45 > 0:58:46# Shout it up, put up your hands high
0:58:46 > 0:58:48# Locked and loaded, ready to fight
0:58:48 > 0:58:50# Bad vibes, we tell them bye-bye
0:58:50 > 0:58:52# Follow me, follow me right now
0:58:52 > 0:58:55# Jump! Won't stop, we got the vibe now
0:58:55 > 0:58:57# Bass so big we knock them right down