0:00:30 > 0:00:32Hello, and welcome to Home Ground,
0:00:32 > 0:00:35a brand-new series here on BBC Northern Ireland
0:00:35 > 0:00:38celebrating the richness of rural life.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Yes, it's a huge part of all of our lives,
0:00:40 > 0:00:44and for the next six weeks Jo and I will be introducing you
0:00:44 > 0:00:46to a host of stories and people
0:00:46 > 0:00:50who use the countryside for work, rest and play.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53And here's what's coming up on tonight's programme.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59When he's not needed in the scrum, he's needed on the farm.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03Ireland rugby captain Rory Best as we've never seen him before.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07It started out as a house that needed a new roof,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11but we've uncovered one of the most important thatched cottages
0:01:11 > 0:01:14in Ireland, and it's under threat.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18And a hunt for one of the most elusive river
0:01:18 > 0:01:20birds in Northern Ireland.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23He's watching us watching him, so it's a stand-off.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32Also on tonight's programme we'll have a full weather forecast
0:01:32 > 0:01:35for you for the week ahead, but first we're on a busy sheep farm
0:01:35 > 0:01:38just outside Saintfield in County Down.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41It's lambing season, and I'm here to give them a hand.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49It's the height of spring, and lambs are out in the field,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52but it's also the busiest time of year for sheep farmers.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Crosby Cleland and his team expect around 1,200 lambs
0:01:58 > 0:02:01to be born on his farm in a three-week period.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- Well, Crosby, how's it going? - Hiya, Jo, hiya. How are you going?
0:02:05 > 0:02:07- Nice to see you.- Indeed.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09This is my favourite time of the year,
0:02:09 > 0:02:11but for you it's pretty intense, isn't it?
0:02:11 > 0:02:13- Get that sleeve rolled up. - THEY LAUGH
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Look, I can't wait any longer.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- I need to get in to see these guys. - You want to see these? No problem.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Hello!
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Who's going to come for a little cuddle? Hello!
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- Aw, can I lift him?- Yeah, sure.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- You see the number on it now, the number on the side?- Where's Mummy?
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- 48, I think this one here's 48.- 48.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35So, ewe 48, that's how we know.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Aww!
0:02:37 > 0:02:39The other thing we do, too, um...
0:02:39 > 0:02:43if the lamb's a single you do the 48 with a dot.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46So if we're out field and we see them all, that's a double,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49but if there's a dot with it, we'll know to only look for one lamb.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51OK. So, the marking's really important.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Oh, very important in the field.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57I hate to ask the question, but where is this wee man destined?
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- Or lady. You're a lady. - Well, at the end of the day...
0:03:01 > 0:03:04This is all about, we have to earn a living, so that's how.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- We sell the lamb, it goes onto the plate of the end of the day. - They're all meat?
0:03:07 > 0:03:12Yeah, well, they're going to all the various supermarkets about the country.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15So, how many different breeds do you have?
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Right, we have the Lleyn, that would be our main breed.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23It's a narrower shoulder, smaller head and smaller legs.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- What do you sell it for, do you know?- Oh, not much.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29That's always the farmers, you think. Last year was a bad one.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Other years, we managed to get an income from it,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34but last year was bad because of the euro.
0:03:35 > 0:03:36That made a big diff...
0:03:36 > 0:03:38I was actually 10lbs of lamb short on 1,200 lambs,
0:03:38 > 0:03:40so that's £12,000 short.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- Makes a big difference.- Yeah.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45But it's hard going. I mean, Do you enjoy it?
0:03:45 > 0:03:47Ach, yeah, it's in the blood.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49We moan and groan a lot but, yes, it's in the blood.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- I wouldn't do anything else. - It's a way of life.- Yeah, I know.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Do you know, when you see the likes of this, isn't it fantastic?
0:03:56 > 0:03:59'Well, it was time for me to help with the hard work
0:03:59 > 0:04:01'as I followed Crosby down
0:04:01 > 0:04:03'to some expectant mothers in the lambing shed.'
0:04:05 > 0:04:08'And within moments Crosby was hard at it.'
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Two feet and a nose, this is going to be...Ah, see, it's there.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14SHEEP BLEATING
0:04:18 > 0:04:20That lamb will start to breathe in a minute.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23With a big lamb, it takes longer before they start to breathe,
0:04:23 > 0:04:25blood circulation and everything.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29It's OK, Jo, yours will be an easier one.
0:04:29 > 0:04:30'Then, it was my turn.'
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Oh, my word! It is warm. Get my scarf out of the way.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38- Now, do you feel two feet?- Yes, I feel two feet.- Do you feel a nose?
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- Er...- Just go a little further with the fingers till you feel the nose.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- Yes, I think I feel a nose. - Well, that's the way you want.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46The head should be coming across and the two feet below. Right, big pull.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Pull on the two feet.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- So, it's warm and it's very slippy. - Pull down the hill.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Oh, come on, wee baby.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Oh!
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- I'm going to give you a little hand. - Oh!
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- That's it, keep going.- Keep going?
0:04:59 > 0:05:01There's the head, coming there.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Oh!
0:05:03 > 0:05:04Ergh!
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Oh, hello!
0:05:06 > 0:05:08CROSBY CHUCKLES
0:05:08 > 0:05:09Oh, you're so gentle.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- And then you get the...- That's it...
0:05:12 > 0:05:14..colostrum away. Hello!
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Get the hold of his two back legs.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- Hey, this is...- Lift it up and just give it a little shake.
0:05:19 > 0:05:20Oh, a little shake.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22A little shake, and slowly,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25when you let it out to the gap, let it fall so as...
0:05:25 > 0:05:26- That's it, yeah.- There you go.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Welcome to the world!
0:05:31 > 0:05:34This is our first lamb of Home Ground.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38'And, very soon, she's joined by a little brother
0:05:38 > 0:05:43'and is up on her feet, ready to start her life on the farm.'
0:05:43 > 0:05:45That was just incredible!
0:05:45 > 0:05:49I really enjoyed that and I can tell you, it was my first time,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53I was a wee bit anxious about it but it was exhilarating,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56and look at these gorgeous lambs.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Wowee!
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Well done, ewe.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Ewe! Did you see what I did there?
0:06:02 > 0:06:03You.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09I knew she'd get her hands dirty. Fair play, Jo, well done.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Now, over the years I've conducted countless interviews
0:06:12 > 0:06:16with the Ireland rugby captain, Rory Best, but none quite like this,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20as I went to find out about his other great passion in life, farming.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23CHEERING
0:06:30 > 0:06:32As Ireland's captain and leader,
0:06:32 > 0:06:36it's Rory Best's job to provide experience and inspiration.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41But today on the family farm he has an altogether different job -
0:06:41 > 0:06:44prepping his bull calves ahead of the Balmoral show,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46with a little help from Bert the donkey.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52This is Bert. You couldn't get away from him.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54You know, if he doesn't want to go
0:06:54 > 0:06:55somewhere, he'll not go.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Whereas, like, if I took the bull
0:06:58 > 0:06:59by the halter now,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02there'd be no stopping him. I think me and you, even with your strength,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I think we would struggle.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06And it's really just getting him used to being handled.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08You know, especially with what I do,
0:07:08 > 0:07:12I wouldn't really like to phone up Joe or Bryn or Les and say,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15"Look, I've hurt myself on the farm." I don't think they'd...
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I've been arguing with my bull today, I'll not be in.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22If you see the two in there, that's what we'll start off with.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26We'll catch them, we'll tie them and maybe leave them tied for the day.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- That just gets them used to it? - Just get them used to being tied.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32I'll come in and just stand with them for 10, 15, 20 minutes,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35just get them used to being really touched
0:07:35 > 0:07:37and to know that we're not...
0:07:37 > 0:07:40it's not bad, we're not trying to do anything bad to them.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- Try and take him and see if he'll... - Yeah, so he'll just walk.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46You stay just nice and tight up in beside him,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48and then that way the bull can't swing round into you.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- Now he's happier, he's back in his...- Yeah.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52..back in his familiar surroundings.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Well, the first boy's going to be on show, what are the qualities he has?
0:07:56 > 0:07:59What are you looking for in one of these beasts? Oh, oh, oh, calm boy.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03You know, we look for a nice head. Erm, a good poll on top,
0:08:03 > 0:08:08a nice flat line across his back and that he's good in his legs.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Erm, the other thing to look for is that he's a powerful bull.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16You know, we don't want anything that's sort of too soft, you know.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18We want something that when you sell...
0:08:18 > 0:08:21This has so many parallels with your life, doesn't it, in rugby?
0:08:21 > 0:08:24There are a lot of things familiar about it.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27We'll just let them off here and then, so what we'll do is...
0:08:27 > 0:08:29I was going to say dogs look like their owners, but can't really.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33So, we'll just let him... He'll probably remain tied now for, erm,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35a couple of days, just on and off.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Obviously when I'm away, or haven't got time when I'm home,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Dad'll leave him on for a day or two,
0:08:40 > 0:08:42and then I'll let him back off again,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46or he'll let him off and then I'll put a different one on.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Is this a release for you, almost, from the pressures of the day job?
0:08:51 > 0:08:52Ach, it definitely is.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Depending on how the day's training has went,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59I can come down here and spend an hour, and the cattle,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01they don't talk back to you, you know, no matter what you tell them.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03They don't understand you and they won't do it,
0:09:03 > 0:09:07whereas our boys understand and just choose not to do it sometimes.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11So, it's nice just to come down here and deal with proper animals
0:09:11 > 0:09:14instead of the animals that I deal with.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19'The family farm is mostly cereal crops
0:09:19 > 0:09:23'and pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle, and Rory is just
0:09:23 > 0:09:26'one of a number of generations of Bests to grow up here.'
0:09:28 > 0:09:32What was it like growing up on the farm, your dad having you out here?
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Did that even, I suppose even toughen you up,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37but make you physically strong, as well?
0:09:37 > 0:09:41It was just something you never really thought much about, you know.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44I think if I was 15 or 16 and being told
0:09:44 > 0:09:47you had to go the gym and you had to do this,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50probably at that sort of age I wouldn't have done it.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52I just had no real interest in that side of things
0:09:52 > 0:09:53and that to me was like hard work,
0:09:53 > 0:09:58whereas coming out here and doing bits and pieces out with Dad
0:09:58 > 0:10:01and the summer was all about, as soon as school was over,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04that was great - that meant two months now
0:10:04 > 0:10:06of helping Dad and doing stuff at home.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Erm, like a say, it was never really something you
0:10:09 > 0:10:11thought of as work, you know, it was just...
0:10:11 > 0:10:13It was what you did, you went out and you helped
0:10:13 > 0:10:15and you did whatever you could.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19This is very much a family farm led by Dad, John,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22and former rugby star and brother, Simon.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25How have you noticed the change over the years?
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Did you think these two would ever end up doing what they've
0:10:27 > 0:10:30done for Ireland, and then even he's captaining them now?
0:10:30 > 0:10:32No, it's a great honour for us all.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35A great honour for Pat and I and the family.
0:10:35 > 0:10:36You see them growing up,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39and I remember the first Ulster Schools try-out Simon had.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42We said, "Jeepers, we'd better go to this. This might be the last."
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Just keeps progressing and you make the most of it.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47You started it all. You played in the front row, didn't you?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49It was very much social rugby, Gavin.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52It was an excuse to get to the bar on a Saturday evening.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Did you ever expect him to go on and do this?
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Cos you were the superstar first of the household, were you not?
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Oh, sort of. We joke from time to time that when Rory first turned up
0:11:00 > 0:11:02he was known as my brother and he didn't like that very much,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05but now I have to suffer as Rory's brother.
0:11:05 > 0:11:06Nobody really remembers me.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08SINGING
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Now, you two boys are here, day in, day out.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17What about this gentleman farmer, eh? Does he do much?
0:11:17 > 0:11:18Is he much of a hand?
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Ach, that would be revealing secrets, Gavin.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23I'll not embarrass him.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I'll embarrass him privately but not with you standing there.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27IRISH ANTHEM
0:11:28 > 0:11:32Well, Rory, they like to keep you going, but is it nice to get
0:11:32 > 0:11:35back here and get involved back on the family farm?
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Och, it is, yeah, and obviously, I don't spend anywhere near
0:11:38 > 0:11:39as much time as I'd like to.
0:11:39 > 0:11:45It's very much a clean break from what I do at Ulster and Ireland,
0:11:45 > 0:11:47and to come back here and, I suppose as much as anything,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49to come back here and get slagged and, you know,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52to get brought back down to earth again, you know,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55it's what you need. I like to keep involved in what's going on.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Let me tell you, Gavin, if we're relying on him
0:11:57 > 0:12:00to feed the cattle every day they would go hungry.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- There, named and shamed by his own father. Why not?- Absolutely.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Well, thankfully these guys are snug and warm inside,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16but what about those of us who have to brave the elements?
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Let's find out what the weather forecast has in store for the week ahead.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08A thatched cottage is a thing of beauty, echoing traditions
0:13:08 > 0:13:11and cultures of a bygone era,
0:13:11 > 0:13:15but it takes craftsmanship and money to keep them in good condition.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Well, our reporter, Ruth Sanderson, has been to Limavady to see
0:13:18 > 0:13:22a thatched cottage in need of urgent repair.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Nothing says rural Ireland like a thatched cottage,
0:13:35 > 0:13:40but these iconic symbols could be a thing of the past.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43The grants awarded for their upkeep have been stopped, meaning
0:13:43 > 0:13:47many of these buildings could be consigned to the history books.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49COCK CROWS
0:13:52 > 0:13:56'I'm in Limavady to see the home of Edward and Eileen Quigley,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59'a retired brother and sister who have lived in this thatched house
0:13:59 > 0:14:01'for their whole lives.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03'They're shy and prefer not to be on camera,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06'but their nephew, Mark Canning, has been campaigning
0:14:06 > 0:14:09'on their behalf to try and get their thatched roof repaired.'
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- No, it's my aunt and uncle's cottage.- It's beautiful.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15So, it's been in our family for four generations now, so...
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Gosh! So what's that, about 300 years or so?
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Well, it was actually built in the early 1700s,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22so it would be slightly older than 300 years.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24You say there's been trouble with the thatch?
0:14:24 > 0:14:27To be honest, the cottage from the front actually looks well
0:14:27 > 0:14:30but it's whenever you get round the back you can see the damage,
0:14:30 > 0:14:31and I can actually show you that.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- So, where are we going, round here? - So just round this way.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38'This is a listed building, so it must be thatched
0:14:38 > 0:14:40'or the owners face a fine.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44'However, when the family went to apply for a Built Heritage Grant,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46funded by the Department Of The Environment,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50they were told that, due to budget cuts, all money available to help
0:14:50 > 0:14:54maintain thatched roofs in Northern Ireland had been completely cut,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57so there'd be no money to fix the roof.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00- So, that's the roof there.- Oh, yeah.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05You can see it's covered with plastic in a few different places.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08You know, I hope this doesn't sound harsh, but they don't have
0:15:08 > 0:15:11an inside toilet, they don't have electricity,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14it does cost a lot to get the roof redone -
0:15:14 > 0:15:17you know, why don't they just move somewhere else?
0:15:17 > 0:15:21A lot of people might say they'd have a happier, nicer time if they
0:15:21 > 0:15:24were in a wee bungalow somewhere which wasn't leaky and wasn't cold.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Well, that's... You're right, but this is their home, like.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30They've lived here all their lives, like.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33This is what they know and what they're used to,
0:15:33 > 0:15:38and if they had to move I think it would be the beginning of the end for them.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41I think it would...it would kill them, like.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44This is the room here, Ruth, where the ceiling collapsed in.
0:15:44 > 0:15:50'Mark estimates that it will cost around £60,000 to fix this roof,
0:15:50 > 0:15:54'part of which fell in last year when Mark's uncle was asleep.'
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Oh, my goodness! That's full of thatch.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Yeah, and the beams are fallen on the bed, the won't door open.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03'Mark has been lobbying politicians, heritage organisations
0:16:03 > 0:16:06'and government departments, all to no avail -
0:16:06 > 0:16:07'and time is running out.'
0:16:10 > 0:16:12I'm very concerned.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16The roof's unstable now and it's only going to get worse.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29'Four months have passed, and I'm back to catch up with Mark.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32'Also visiting today is Fidelma Mullane.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35'She's a leading built heritage expert from the University
0:16:35 > 0:16:39'of Ireland in Galway. 'So, has any progress been made?'
0:16:40 > 0:16:43We haven't made much progress in terms of, like,
0:16:43 > 0:16:45fundraising or whatever, um,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48but we've pulled together like sort of a team of experts -
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Fidelma being one of them -
0:16:50 > 0:16:52to try and help us kind of get things going.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Yeah.- So, fingers crossed.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58And so, from your point of view then, Fidelma,
0:16:58 > 0:17:00you deal with buildings like this all the time,
0:17:00 > 0:17:02you're an expert in built heritage,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06so what is so important about this particular cottage?
0:17:08 > 0:17:11It's very interesting for a number of reasons, and the two most
0:17:11 > 0:17:14important ones, I think, are the materials and the method.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17The materials are all gathered locally.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20They come from the seashore,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22from the sand dunes,
0:17:22 > 0:17:26and it's a type of wild grass that's called bent here locally.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30And this is probably the last house that I know of in Ireland
0:17:30 > 0:17:33that would have this kind of covering on the roof.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35- In all of Ireland? - In all of Ireland.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40A house with bent on it as the outer covering of thatch
0:17:40 > 0:17:42is probably unique.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Therefore this house is extremely important in Ireland.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48So, as it turns out,
0:17:48 > 0:17:52the house is much more significant than even Mark realised.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58It's very hardy and the point to be made there is that
0:17:58 > 0:18:02these materials were not just picked up because they were available.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05These were selected by people who had tried and tested
0:18:05 > 0:18:09lots of materials, and this is the one that is the most durable.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- And it comes from 500 metres over there.- Just locally.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17It's all very well and good
0:18:17 > 0:18:20saying it's historically interesting, etc,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23but there are obviously people who live in this house
0:18:23 > 0:18:26and should they still be living in a house like this?
0:18:26 > 0:18:28There might be an argument that
0:18:28 > 0:18:31they could be more comfortable somewhere else.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35We must be part of the support network
0:18:35 > 0:18:41that allows for this house to be comfortable and habitable,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44and the only way to do that is to conserve it in the same way
0:18:44 > 0:18:49that they have done when they were fit and younger.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52We now need to, in some way, find a way -
0:18:52 > 0:18:56and we can be very creative about this - to do the same.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01So it's about maintaining their way of life and their knowledge,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03as well as the roof.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05That's exactly what we must do.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11'Whilst the Department says it sympathises with the family's situation,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15'it still maintains that budget cuts rule out any money for the roof.'
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Let's get down to brass tacks here.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22If there's no money available,
0:19:22 > 0:19:28then there's not really that much Mark or his aunt and uncle can do
0:19:28 > 0:19:30to save this roof, is there?
0:19:30 > 0:19:36I think it would be entirely remiss not to do this
0:19:36 > 0:19:38on the pretext that there isn't any money.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43It is not just of local importance or of national importance.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48This house is, without any doubt, of major international significance.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Whilst the future is still unsure,
0:19:52 > 0:19:55these new findings at least offer a glimmer of hope that this
0:19:55 > 0:19:59very special building might be saved from disappearing for ever.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Bird-ringing involves catching birds, putting a unique
0:20:09 > 0:20:13ring on their legs and releasing them back into the wild.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17It's vital if we're to learn about their population, health and movement.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20But it's a strictly controlled activity
0:20:20 > 0:20:24so, to find out more, I joined a group of volunteers in the Glens of Antrim.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33The Glenarm river runs straight through Glenarm Estate
0:20:33 > 0:20:35here in County Antrim.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38It's an area brimming with birdlife.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42I'm here to meet bird-ringer Aidan Crean and his team of volunteers.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Today, we're in search of an elusive bird - the dipper.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50The Ulster Wildlife Trust,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54they look after this stretch of land here for Lord Antrim,
0:20:54 > 0:20:59and one of the elusive birds they talk a lot about, er,
0:20:59 > 0:21:00on the river is the dipper.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04So, they've really no idea how many dippers there are on the water,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07so they've asked us, the bird-ringers,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09to come along and try and catch some.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15With nets stretched across the river at different points,
0:21:15 > 0:21:19the idea is to chase or walk the bird along and into the nets.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24You've had days, though, when you haven't caught dippers.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- Is that correct? - Yeah, yeah.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28But not today?
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Well, you're putting me under pressure here now,
0:21:30 > 0:21:34but I can say we've got kingfishers in this river,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38we've got grey wagtails in the river and we've got dippers the river.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41I think we'll get something and we should get a dipper.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42- We're going hunting.- Let's go.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46And things get off to a good start.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Further downstream, the team have already caught a bird
0:21:49 > 0:21:51but it's not a dipper.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53This is a grey wagtail.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58This is one of the stunning little beautiful birds
0:21:58 > 0:22:02of the rivers of Ireland. That lovely canary yellow.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04It's a real skill handling him.
0:22:04 > 0:22:09Well, it's just gentle touch with lots of experience and practice.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Gala's going to put the ring on the bird and then
0:22:12 > 0:22:16we'll measure the wing, we'll weigh it and then we'll release him.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17OK, Gala?
0:22:17 > 0:22:21'Bird-ringing is a strictly controlled activity.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23'Gala, who's from Croatia,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26'is a volunteer training to get her licence.'
0:22:26 > 0:22:31This little bird's now, technically, an ambassador for his species.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33He's a dot on a map of the world,
0:22:33 > 0:22:37not just the Glenarm river or County Antrim or The Glens.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39This is the beauty of the ringing scheme.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43'The nature reserve here on the estate is leased
0:22:43 > 0:22:47'and managed by the Ulster Wildlife Trust.'
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Tell us about these birds. They're fascinating little creatures, aren't they?
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Well, they get the name "dipper", I mean, if you spend
0:22:53 > 0:22:55long enough looking at them, if you find a patch of river
0:22:55 > 0:22:58with rocks in it, fast flowing water like that...
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- There, perfect.- Like there, perfect.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03..they come up and they perch themselves on the rocks really prominently.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06They're wee, squat, fat, wee-looking birds with a white belly,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09and they dip the tail. Constantly dipping the tail, they don't stop.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12They never, ever stop and that's why they're called dipper.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17And in they go into the water and they're basically flying along the bottom of the river,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20the riverbed, looking, overturning stones, looking for wee insects,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23and that's how they live their lives.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27'And, before we know it, there's another bird in the net,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29'and this time it is a dipper.'
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- Take him out.- Look at that! Gently, yeah.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38- Look at that.- Isn't that lovely? - You're a big boy.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44Your leg's shaking, son. I'd be shaking, too.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- Lawrence, this is your ring, and now...- Now you measure the wing.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49- Surgeons hands required.- Yeah.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51You a bit nervous or you all right?
0:23:51 > 0:23:54I am. This is my first dipper!
0:23:54 > 0:23:55I know, on TV.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Watch his wee wing, now. Excellent.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00So you get the carp over the wing.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05- Yes.- And you get the longest primary feather,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08which is about 98, I would say there.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Yeah, yeah, 98. 98 mil.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Now he's ready to go.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17This a big moment then, when you release him?
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Yeah, well, you just lift it. Watch this.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22THEY CHEER
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Wow, look at that!
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Land! Oh, he's away for cover.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30- Well done, James. Well done, Lawrence.- Well done, everyone.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- Right, where's Gavin? - Next one! Brilliant.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42You know, it does seem like a stupid question, but hey, I'm your man.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45How do you beat a bird along? Is the bird not just going to go, "Tell you what, I'm off?"
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Well, the very fact that we are down and along the river bank
0:24:48 > 0:24:52will gently nudge the bird along the river.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56So if we see any little wagtails, dippers or kingfishers moving along,
0:24:56 > 0:25:00we'll start to get very, very excited, and I apologise for that.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05- We've got movement.- We've got movement, yeah. We've got a dipper going towards the net.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07- Went in left.- Right, OK.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10So, were just moving it in, yeah.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11- So it's on their side?- Yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17- It's just on the other side.- OK.
0:25:17 > 0:25:18So gently-gently.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Yeah, we've got it. Whereabouts are you?
0:25:24 > 0:25:27If he goes over the bridge he might go into the second net.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29If he goes under the bridge he goes into the first net.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- He's in trouble either way. - Either way.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Now, but remember he's watching us watching him.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36So, this is...
0:25:36 > 0:25:38- It's a stand-off.- Yeah.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41- He's in!- He's in!
0:25:41 > 0:25:43THEY CHEER AND CLAP
0:25:45 > 0:25:49'But it's a false alarm. Somehow the bird has managed to evade the nets.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53'Now I understand why these birds are so elusive.'
0:25:53 > 0:25:55So he went under the net?
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- You're talking...- You told me they were clever.- You're talking an inch!
0:25:58 > 0:25:59An inch!
0:26:00 > 0:26:04The bottom line of the shelf of the net is an inch off the water,
0:26:04 > 0:26:05and he went under it.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13'Further downstream we spot the distinctive white breast of our little friend.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16'Encouraged by its presence, we set a new net.'
0:26:16 > 0:26:19If that's not going to catch anything, nothing will.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21'The thrill of the chase is infectious.'
0:26:21 > 0:26:23We've got a dipper.
0:26:23 > 0:26:24Slow down!
0:26:25 > 0:26:27No, keep going.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29'This time we have a dipper in the net,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31'but it's one that we caught earlier.'
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Let him go.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45It's been all action here on the farm
0:26:45 > 0:26:48and it was an incredible experience delivering my first lamb.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Well, this one seems to be doing pretty well.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56That's it from this episode of Home Ground.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Join us at the same time next week,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00LAMB BLEATS but from us - and from her - it's bye-bye.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Bye-bye.