0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:01 > 0:00:04- It's lovely to see tulips in bloom.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07- We're advised to dig them up - in winter...
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- ..so mice don't eat the bulbs.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13- I never do. - These are on their third year.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18- The tulips - aren't the only ones in bloom.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24- The pear tree is lovely, - the currant bushes are flowering...
0:00:24 > 0:00:27- ..and let's not forget the Muscari.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32- The early flowering plants - are vital for bees.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35- They're coming out of hibernation.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41- Later on, I'll introduce you - to the bees I keep in the garden.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45- Also this week...
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- ..Meinir goes in search - of the dawn chorus...
0:00:48 > 0:00:53- ..and we meet an animal you wouldn't - expect to see in rural Wales.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- This plant is Aconitum, - or monkshood.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- It gets its name because - the individual blue flowers...
0:01:13 > 0:01:17- ..resemble the cowls worn by monks.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21- Every year, I regret - not placing a frame around them.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25- The tall flowers - get caught in the wind.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- I'm determined to make a frame - this year.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33- I don't need to buy a frame - in the garden centre.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- I'll use what I have in the garden - to make one.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- This pear tree was already - in the garden.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- We didn't want to get rid of it.
0:01:50 > 0:01:56- We've used it to make a fence - and a frame for sweet peas.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- These are year old twigs.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00- It's enough for my needs.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- If you want a sturdier frame...
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- ..wait another year - before cutting them.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11- That's enough.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- You don't have to be a basket weaver - to make one.
0:02:24 > 0:02:29- I pull the willow through my hands - and push it down slightly...
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- ..so it's more flexible.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37- Bring it together.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- And then tie with string.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59- Repeat the process - to strengthen the circle.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- You can go in and out with this one.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- And one more.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38- And that's it.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49- These twigs will hold it up.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- One there.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55- One this side.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- And one here.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07- I'll tie the circle to the twigs.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- Like that.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20- Gardening would be lonely without - the accompaniment of birdsong.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- May is a great month to hear them.
0:04:25 > 0:04:31- Daniel Jenkins-Jones from the RSPB - Wales got up very early with Meinir.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- We've arrived before dawn...
0:04:36 > 0:04:41- ..to hear the birds wake up, - one by one.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- We hope to hear - a very special performance...
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- ..by the dawn chorus.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- It's more like a symphony.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57- There are several movements - to the dawn chorus.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- Some of the birds like a lie-in.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- Like me!
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- The birds with the biggest eyes...
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- ..the blackbird or song thrush....
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- ..tend to get up first - and start to sing.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20- The smaller birds, - with smaller eyes, see less light.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- They stay in bed longer.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26- I think I heard a bird moving.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- I think I heard a bird moving.- - Over here, somewhere.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- Let's listen.
0:05:34 > 0:05:34- BIRDSONG
0:05:34 > 0:05:36- BIRDSONG- - That's it.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- I think it's a blackbird.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- I can hear a crow.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51- The robin.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- They're answering each other.
0:05:54 > 0:05:55- They're answering each other.- - Yes.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- It's a competition - to find a partner.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- The tic-tic-tic sound is the robin.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- It's a race to find a partner.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11- The battle starts - at the crack of dawn.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- It's survival of the fittest.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- They use song to find - the most attractive partner.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- There are several robins around.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- BIRDSONG
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- That's the song thrush.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- It has large eyes - and sees more light.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- The song thrush is in the distance.
0:06:38 > 0:06:39- BIRDSONG
0:06:45 > 0:06:48- A blackbird has started - to sing on our right.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- The blackbird - has a distinctive warble!
0:06:53 > 0:06:54- That's it.
0:06:57 > 0:06:58- BIRDSONG
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- That's the wren.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02- That's the wren.- - Nice song!
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- It's really noisy.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09- And the goldcrest.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13- It has a thin voice. - It's up here somewhere.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- BIRDSONG
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- That's the wren.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- I can just about make out - the goldcrest.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- The goldcrest and wren - are the same size.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- They weigh the same - as two five penny pieces.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39- Put your hand in your pocket - and take out two five penny pieces.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- That's how small they are. - Wrens have a powerful voice.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- BIRDSONG
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- It's been a privilege and thrill.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- Dawn has finally broken.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- Dawn has finally broken.- - At last.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- The world is still turning.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02- The dawn chorus is one of - the wonders of Wales's wildlife.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- Most of us don't hear it...
0:08:06 > 0:08:11- ..because we don't want - to leave our cosy beds.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16- My advice is - to drag yourself out of bed...
0:08:17 > 0:08:22- ..for one morning a year, - that's all.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- Wrap up in warm clothes.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29- Check the weather forecast - to make sure it's a nice day.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- Enjoy this wonder of wildlife...
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- ..the dawn chorus.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- BIRDSONG
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- Whatever the size - of your vegetable patch...
0:08:43 > 0:08:45- ..always plan beforehand...
0:08:45 > 0:08:50- ..not only what to plant, - but where to plant them.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- I'm fortunate to have a big patch.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- Even if you have a small patch...
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- ..always rotate crops.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- In the first group, - we have potatoes.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- We'll call them Group A.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- Group B will be the beans and peas.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- Then the brassicas...
0:09:23 > 0:09:27- ..cabbage and kale, - that sort of thing.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- Group C is everything else.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- Lettuce, radish or spinach.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- Group D will be the root vegetables.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40- Carrots and parsnips.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- Divide your plot into four.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Plot A, B, C and D.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- This year, - I'll plant potatoes in this bed.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- Beans and peas in this bed.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- I'll plant everything - else in Plot C...
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- ..and in D, the roots.
0:10:06 > 0:10:07- Next year...
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- ..I'll move A to B...
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- ..B to C...
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- ..and so on.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- As you see, I'm rotating the crops.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26- The main reason for doing this - is to avoid disease in your soil.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- Potatoes are prone to flatworm.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- If you grow brassicas - in the same soil, year after year...
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- ..club root could develop.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39- That's bad news.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- Regardless of the size - of your plot...
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- ..never plant the same thing - in the same place, year after year.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- My potatoes are in Plot A.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- The early potatoes are in.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- The soil is well fertilized.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- There's fresh lime in Plot B...
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- ..for beans and the brassicas.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- The third plot, - for everything else...
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- ..has nice, light soil.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- In the final plot, - the root vegetables.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22- The onions are starting to appear.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26- I'll plant beetroot, parsnips, - and today, carrots.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38- That's it.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- Carrots go straight in the soil, - not the greenhouse first.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- Parsnips, carrots - and root vegetables...
0:11:48 > 0:11:53- ..aren't fond of being transplanted, - because the roots grow first.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- This is a pack from last year.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- They were quite successful, - so I'll try them again.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- I've made a small trench - a centimetre and a half deep.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- Put some seeds in your hand.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- Sow them thinly...
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- ..along the trench.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- Cover them with a very - small amount of soil.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- Don't worry about pebbles.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- They're great to help - the soil warm up in spring.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43- One line is finished.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48- But I have a few more lines - of carrots and parsnips to plant.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- There's plenty to do.
0:12:50 > 0:12:50- .
0:12:58 > 0:12:58- Subtitles
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- I'm a flower arranger - in my day-to-day work.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- Having a corner to grow flowers - is very important to me.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38- You can plant flowers for cutting - in your garden's borders.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- But I prefer to have - a special area for them.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- I chose this area...
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- ..because it gets the sun all day - and is very sheltered.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- Even in a small patch like this...
0:13:50 > 0:13:55- ..I can have flowers for - at least three months of the year.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- I'm going to plant some seeds.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- I have cosmos, cornflower, - Linaria, larkspur...
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- ..and a favourite, the blue Nigella.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- I'll plant them - in narrow lines here.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- I've put a path on both sides, - to make weeding easier.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- I can pick flowers - without standing on the soil.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- By midsummer, this area - will be a sea of colour.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26- Now, let's join Meinir, - near Cilgerran in Pembrokeshire.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- This is the Teifi Marshes - Wildlife Centre, near Cilgerran...
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- ..where nature thrives.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- I'm going to learn about the area...
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- ..and some of the creatures - living near the River Teifi.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- Showing me round this marvellous - place is Nia Stephens...
0:14:52 > 0:14:53- ..the reserve warden.
0:14:54 > 0:14:55- What a beautiful day!
0:14:55 > 0:14:56- Isn't it nice?
0:14:57 > 0:14:58- What is this?!
0:14:58 > 0:14:59- LAUGHTER
0:15:00 > 0:15:01- A massive badger!
0:15:01 > 0:15:06- It's just something nice - to attract people here.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- You can see it from Cardigan! - It's great.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- The reserve is - over 200 acres in size.
0:15:12 > 0:15:13- Yes.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14- What kinds of habitats do you have?
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- What kinds of habitats do you have?- - All kinds.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- That's what makes - the place so special.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- It goes as far - as the bridge in Cardigan.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- It includes all that reed bed.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- We have wetland fields.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- Behind us, - all this area is woodland.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- It extends up the River Teifi.
0:15:38 > 0:15:39- What is your job?
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- Firstly, looking after the reserve.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- I have a team of volunteers.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47- We go out to do - whatever needs doing.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49- We look after plants.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54- We make sure the right animals - graze in the right places.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- If something is broken, we fix it.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02- Another part of my work is trying to - attract people here to enjoy nature.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07- I have a children's wildlife club. - I arrange walks for adults.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- I try to get people to come here.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21- One of the reserve's most exciting - features is the water buffalo.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23- I can see them relaxing over there!
0:16:23 > 0:16:24- I can see them relaxing over there!- - They're chilling.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- Water buffalo aren't a native - species. Why are they here?
0:16:29 > 0:16:33- They're great to graze the reserve. - They like wet places.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37- They keep a lot of plants down - and areas of water open.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42- That's great for insects - such as dragonflies...
0:16:42 > 0:16:47- ..and all kinds of creatures, - like frogs and newts.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- So the buffaloes help - the marshy areas.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- Are the reeds behind us - very important for the reserve?
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- Yes. We have a large reed area. - There aren't many left in Wales.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01- Why?
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- Long ago, people used reeds - to make thatched roofs.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11- Because that work stopped, - the reed areas started to disappear.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- Woods take over - and they become wet scrub.
0:17:15 > 0:17:16- Why is it important?
0:17:17 > 0:17:19- It's important as a habitat...
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- ..for many birds, - animals and plants.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- Birds clearly love this place.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- All kinds of species thrive here.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- They hope to attract - ospreys here in the future.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- They already fly near the reserve...
0:17:43 > 0:17:47- ..on their way - to Cors Dyfi and the Glaslyn Valley.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- Keeping track - of all the birds is hard work.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- Luckily, volunteers lend a hand.
0:17:57 > 0:17:58- What is going on?
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- What is going on?- - We have a bird ringing group.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- They catch birds and ring them.
0:18:04 > 0:18:05- A wren!
0:18:05 > 0:18:06- It has a ring...
0:18:06 > 0:18:12- ..so it has been caught before, - either here or somewhere else.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- They can check that.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19- There is a database, so they can - see when and where it was ringed.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25- Isn't it pretty?
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- The way it's weighed is interesting.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- Yes. They use an old film pot.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- They put the bird in and weigh it.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- What information do they get?
0:18:40 > 0:18:42- It's very important work.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47- That's how we find out stuff - like how long the birds live...
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- ..and where they winter.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- We discovered that birds - like the chiffchaff go to Africa...
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- ..because it was ringed - in Wales and found in Africa.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- We also find out things like where - young birds go when they grow...
0:19:03 > 0:19:07- ..if they stay in this reserve, - or go to another.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12- It must help you as a reserve - to know which birds you have here.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- Yes, it's a great help.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17- This group gives us all the data.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- It helps us plan - what kind of conservation to do...
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- ..and how we should work - with plants and habitats...
0:19:25 > 0:19:26- ..to help the birds.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- I saw many wrens, - tits and chaffinches.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- I had hoped to see a kingfisher.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- But I didn't see - its flash of azure today.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- So I'll have to return, - which is fine by me.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- Here in Pont y Twr's orchard...
0:19:50 > 0:19:55- ..we have apple trees, - cherry trees, plums, bullaces...
0:19:56 > 0:20:01- ..and of course, this pear tree - which is starting to blossom.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07- But I won't have any fruit in - the orchard without help from bees.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- I don't mean wasps or honey bees...
0:20:10 > 0:20:12- ..but solitary bees.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18- They're the most efficient and - busiest pollinators in the garden.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- They're so efficient...
0:20:20 > 0:20:25- ..I decided to buy - a special box for solitary bees.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31- This box can home about 100 - different types of solitary bees.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- There are 250 species...
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- ..some the size - of a grain of rice...
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- ..others very similar to wasps.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- I'll take one chamber out...
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- ..so you can see - these bees' lifecycle.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- There is a row of cocoons.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- The walls are made of mud.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- Some solitary bees - use mud to make a nest.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- Others use leaves.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10- The bees have been in the cocoons - since about this time last year.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13- They have survived winter.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- In the next week or two, - as the weather gets warmer...
0:21:17 > 0:21:22- ..the cocoons will open - and the new adult bees will fly out.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- The first thing they do - is look for a nest.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- I'll show you the next one.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- As you see, this chamber is empty.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- This is what they'll use as a nest.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41- Of course, in nature...
0:21:41 > 0:21:46- ..they use old plants, - or any nook or cranny they can find.
0:21:46 > 0:21:52- But because they're so important, I - try to attract them to the orchard.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- To help them, I collect - the cocoons in the autumn...
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- ..clean and store them - for the winter.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03- Then in spring, this time of year...
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- ..I put the cocoons - in the bottom of the box.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- Here are the cocoons.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14- I'll show you one.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- Here's a female cocoon, - which is larger...
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- ..and the smaller male cocoon.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- They'll all go in the box.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- In the next few weeks, - as the weather gets warmer...
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- ..they'll begin to hatch.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- I'll put them here.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- I'll replace the door.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- The males will be out first.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53- They'll fly around, waiting - for the females to emerge.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- They reproduce and start - the whole process again.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- When they wake up in spring...
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- ..the first thing they need - is a bit of pollen.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10- So remember how important - the early blooming plants are.
0:23:10 > 0:23:15- Leave the dandelions - until the bees have had their fill.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22- I'm checking you haven't weeded - the dandelions on the path!
0:23:22 > 0:23:23- No!
0:23:24 > 0:23:29- But I have been cutting - dead pansies in the garden pots.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31- It's a good week to do that.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33- It prolongs the flowering season.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38- So from a garden full - of pansies and dandelions, goodbye.
0:23:38 > 0:23:39- Enjoy the gardening.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:57 > 0:23:57- .