0:00:04 > 0:00:06Hello and welcome to Hands On Nature.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09I'm Chris Packham and this is your guide to getting to and enjoying
0:00:09 > 0:00:13the very best wildlife locations across the UK.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16We're going to be on the coast and just off it
0:00:16 > 0:00:20exploring some of the finest habitats you can find in the British Isles.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25I'll be braving Scottish seas, looking for minke whales.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29Mike Dilger explores Northumberland's fantastic rock pools.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34Every rock I turn over's got crabs under.
0:00:34 > 0:00:40And Janet Sumner discovers there's plenty of life on southern England's Jurassic Coast.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01This little piece of Utopia is Mull in Scotland.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Just to prove it's that, look behind me.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08These dainty little sand martins are nesting at the top of a beach.
0:01:08 > 0:01:09Where else could you find that in the UK?
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Most of our beaches are far too disturbed, but not here.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Mull's coastline is a wildlife heaven.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21Sea eagles, otters, in springtime a host of wild flowers.
0:01:21 > 0:01:27The animals I have come to look for today hang around in pods and I guarantee they'll get you excited
0:01:27 > 0:01:32and, given the conditions today, I reckon my chances of finding them
0:01:32 > 0:01:33are pretty good.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47You know those endless top ten lists, things you must do before you die?
0:01:47 > 0:01:54I can guarantee that up there with naked paragliding is the desire to see dolphins or whales.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00The thing is, seeing some of these remarkable creatures
0:02:00 > 0:02:04is a really achievable thing throughout the course of the year
0:02:04 > 0:02:07and in Britain you can do it with your clothes on.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09In fact, you normally do it with rather a lot of clothes on.
0:02:12 > 0:02:18The Isle of Mull is a real whale hotspot and here you can even see them without getting your feet wet.
0:02:19 > 0:02:28Now, I know it's a statement of the obvious, very obvious indeed, but unless you are excruciatingly lucky,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32you could sit up here staring at this water for quite a few hours,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36so for some mild distraction, pick up a book about whales and dolphins.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39This one shows views of the animals taken from the surface,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43just the sort of view you're going to get from up here.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47No smiley faces - you don't get to see smiley faces if you're on top of the water, here.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49But what about the best days to come?
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Bright, sunny days aren't much good. There's too much glare off the water.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56And days when it's too choppy aren't good either
0:02:56 > 0:03:01because then every white topped wave looks like it's the result of a dolphin's fin.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04One last tip. I know it sounds absurd, but keep your ears open
0:03:04 > 0:03:10because you can often hear whales and dolphins when they are blowing.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13On a quiet day, you'll pick up on that.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20And in the seas around the west coast of Scotland you'll find plenty of dolphins and porpoises, too.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23But if you are on Mull, Tobermory is a good place
0:03:23 > 0:03:27to start your adventure and there are plenty of operators to take you out.
0:03:36 > 0:03:43This is whale-watching, Western Isles of Scotland style, and just look at it - sunshine, dramatic scenery,
0:03:43 > 0:03:48blue seas and the potential to see 24 different types of whale and dolphin.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54I'm on the hunt for one of the smallest and least known whales -
0:03:54 > 0:04:00the minke, or stinky minke as it's known because of its fishy breath.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03I know the ocean's a big place and looking for whales can be like
0:04:03 > 0:04:09looking for a bin bag bobbing around in the middle of nowhere but there are clues to whale activity.
0:04:10 > 0:04:17Just up ahead of us there are some gannets diving into the sea, which is a pretty spectacular sight.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19We mustn't be distracted by the birds
0:04:19 > 0:04:25but you've got to keep your eye on seabirds because often, when there's a group of them on the surface,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29it could be that there is a minke feeding there.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32When they feed, they often spill food and the gulls pick it up.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36The minkes were proving elusive. All was not lost though
0:04:36 > 0:04:42because on this trip, serious whale research is undertaken too. Skipper James Fairbairn roped me in.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Another good thing about these whale-watching safaris
0:04:46 > 0:04:48is they are not just an excuse for gratuitous whale eye candy.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52You learn things too, particularly about why the whales are here.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- That's all down to their food, isn't it, James?- Yes, that's right.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- What's this? Plankton net?- Yes.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03It's got a very fine mesh and we use it to catch plankton so we can show people what the whales are after.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Bottom of the food chain, rich water. Let's see.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14OK. See how clear it is. Still see the net.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19- Doesn't put up much of a fight, does it, plankton? Hardly a sporting fish, is it?- Not really.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25Because basically what you've got there is a whale, isn't it?
0:05:25 > 0:05:27A whale's mouth, trawling.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28That's absolutely right.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Doing exactly the same thing it would when it was feeding.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Let's have a look. What have we got here?
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- This is zooplankton, isn't it? - That's right.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- This is whale food, isn't it?- That's right. Exactly what the whale...
0:05:43 > 0:05:48- A pint of whale food. I wouldn't down it myself.- Full of protein.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50I'm vegetarian!
0:05:53 > 0:05:58Unfortunately, plankton was to be our only catch of the day.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Not a sniff of a minke, let alone its fishy breath.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05So, it was minke one, whale watchers nil.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Still time, though, to check out the jellyfish before returning
0:06:08 > 0:06:11to Tobermory to get ready to try again the next day.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Another day, another chance to see a minke.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Whale-watching operators claim a high success rate around Mull
0:06:23 > 0:06:26so this had to be our day.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31As part of the research project, the minkes are photographed.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36It means their movements can be monitored and it's something that you can get involved in as well.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44I bet 99% of your punters want to go home with a photo, don't they?
0:06:44 > 0:06:47What tips can you offer for cetaceal photography?
0:06:47 > 0:06:53The most important thing is to just always keep an eye on what you're looking at.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56When you're holding the camera a lot of people find
0:06:56 > 0:07:02they tend to naturally close an eye, put their other eye inside the lens, the viewfinder,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06whereas the most important thing is to keep that eye open.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09You can always guide the camera in the right place...
0:07:09 > 0:07:15And be poised as well so you're looking with this eye and immediately up...
0:07:15 > 0:07:19- You've got 1½ seconds whilst it's breaking the surface.- If that.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23We're both armed with great big telephotos. What about little snappy cameras?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- Do they ever come close enough to use those?- Oh yeah.
0:07:26 > 0:07:32I think actually you don't need to have this sort of equipment. This is more for photo identification.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37If you want a photo to take home, these little snappy ones you get are just as good.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Now by this time things were, frankly, rather tense and the minkes were still refusing to play ball.
0:07:44 > 0:07:50But there was a big clue - the seabirds were back on the surface
0:07:50 > 0:07:53and strange things were happening under the water.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55There it is right here.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- Look at that!- Finally, a minke.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04It's here again, it's under the bow.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07There it is right here.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Then the whale just got closer and closer to the boat.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13It was unbelievable.
0:08:17 > 0:08:24This is one of around 65 individual minkes that have been identified in these waters.
0:08:26 > 0:08:27Just about to come up again.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Look at that!
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Oh!
0:08:40 > 0:08:45- If you're thinking of going to Canada, Iceland or Norway forget it!- Here...
0:08:45 > 0:08:50There is is, guys, down here, right underneath us.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Wow!
0:08:54 > 0:08:58Really checking us out. It's going to the stern.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Honestly, I've seen a few whales around the world,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07but never has one shown this much attention to the boat.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11It must have criss-crossed under the boat 10, 12 times now.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Fabulous views, looking down through this clear water. You can see every detail.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Doesn't look like a bin bag floating on the surface -
0:09:19 > 0:09:23it looks like a proper animal. James, what can you tell us about this one?
0:09:23 > 0:09:30It's a young one. The juveniles are much more curious than the adults. The adults tend to stay away.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- What do you think?- It's amazing.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36I've seen minke maybe a handful of times,
0:09:36 > 0:09:41but to keep going backwards and forwards so slowly, so controlled, it blew me away.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- It's almost like it was a pet.- Yeah.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46It's like it performed for us.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49It knew we were here, and it performed.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52And you couldn't ask for anything else, could you?
0:09:52 > 0:09:57People go all the way to the Bahamas, Nova Scotia, California...
0:09:57 > 0:10:05but, look - calm sea, blue sky, sunshine, minke whale, pet minke, swimming under the boat.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09What are you talking about? Save your money. Mull is the place to come.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- Vote for Mull!- Mull!
0:10:18 > 0:10:22There are daily ferries to Mull. It's a 45-minute crossing from Oban.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36More details on our website.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44I've been chasing birds since the age of 12. It's perfectly natural.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47This spot on the side of Loch Frisa takes the British biscuit
0:10:47 > 0:10:51when it comes to the best place for birdwatching
0:10:51 > 0:10:55because from here you can see white-tailed sea eagles.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58And that's a dream come true for a birder such as myself
0:10:58 > 0:11:03because in 1975, there were none, then a reintroduction programme began and now, there are 30 pairs.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08And you can watch one of them from this seat and from this hide.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14This is Scotland's biggest and rarest bird of prey.
0:11:14 > 0:11:21There are plenty of wildlife tours that can help you get great views of them.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26And you can't miss them - with a 6ft wing span, they're like a flying door.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29You see? I'm not the only one who thinks this place is brilliant.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31And that could be you.
0:11:34 > 0:11:40Coming shortly, Janet Sumner takes a step back in time and discovers some real gems from the long distant past.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Has anybody got any flowers?
0:11:42 > 0:11:44What have you got?
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Ichthyosaur vertebra!
0:11:55 > 0:11:59You know, there's one stretch of Britain's coastline
0:11:59 > 0:12:03that doesn't get the praise it's due and I simply don't know why.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08The word majestic can only have been invented to describe Northumberland's coast.
0:12:08 > 0:12:14It's got great history, great castles, beautiful beaches, glorious sand dunes and a wealth of wildlife,
0:12:14 > 0:12:19as Mike Dilger discovered when he set out on his coastal journey from Holy Island.
0:12:26 > 0:12:32The Northumbrian coast is one of Britain's hidden gems, as rich in wildlife as it is beautiful.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36And it's simply brilliant for rockpooling.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41This is a pretty nice place to hang out for the day.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45If you want to live here, it's a completely different ball game.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47You have to be a super tough creature.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Not only do you have the pounding waves,
0:12:50 > 0:12:54you have to cope with extreme heat and extreme cold when you're in the water
0:12:54 > 0:12:57and the sea water itself is really salty.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01So to live here full time, you've got to be pretty special.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09Now today is a spring tide which means, in a couple of hours,
0:13:09 > 0:13:15this massive expanse behind me is going to be uncovered, revealing lots of lovely rock pools.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17I've got all the gear with me.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21I've got my bootees, my jam jar for my specimens
0:13:21 > 0:13:23and a little net to catch them in.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25It's like being a kid again.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31So I've enlisted the help of all the kids from Holy Island's only school
0:13:31 > 0:13:34and local marine biologist Jane Lancaster.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- Are you ready?- YEAH!
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- Who's going to find the biggest crab?- ME!
0:13:40 > 0:13:44Go get 'em! Give us a shout when you find something.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48On a spring tide when the sea is at its lowest ebb, the rocky shore
0:13:48 > 0:13:53is a great place to discover all sorts of aquatic treasures.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58And most importantly, if you do find something, look at it and then put it back where you found it.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01I found a crab shell.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Molly's found a little hermit crab.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Can you see his pincers?
0:14:05 > 0:14:08He's a crab, but he hasn't got his own shell,
0:14:08 > 0:14:12he's got somebody else's shell that he lives in. Pop him in there.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Molly! Watch out - the crab'll be back.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19The same crab - it's there and it nipped me.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Be a bit careful. They've got nasty nippers. This is a shore crab.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25CHILDREN SQUEAL
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Fantastic.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32- These are the most common type on the shore.- Trying to get nipped...
0:14:32 > 0:14:38This is an edible crab. You can tell it's an edible crab because it's got like a pie crust on the outside.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- But the real prize is this amazing one.- A spider crab.- That's right.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- This is a spider crab. - Look at that.- Do they nip you?
0:14:49 > 0:14:51They're not so bad at nipping you.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56This is seaweed and they allow seaweed to grow on them so that it's like camouflage.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Look at that, he's a bit of an ugly chap, isn't he?
0:14:59 > 0:15:03But very charismatic. He can't help it, I'm sure.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Let's see what else we can find.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09This is one of the commonest fishes you'll find in rock pools.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13You can't normally see them because they move so quickly.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18So whoever caught this one did very well. He's called a shanny, a classic rock pool fish.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22You can find things on the lower shore just by peeling back seaweed.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25We've got two sea hares.
0:15:25 > 0:15:32They're called sea hares because they have these hare or rabbit-like ears at the front.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- What exactly are they? - They're just a marine slug.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Treat them very carefully, guys.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- Be careful, guys, they're very delicate, they are.- Can I feel it?
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- He squirted ink at me!- Put your hand in the water to get that ink off.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51When you annoy these, they squirt purple ink at you. That's a method of defence.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56When an attacker comes along, that puts the predator off because they can't see them properly.
0:15:58 > 0:16:04In about 15 minutes, we found 20 different species, which is just a tremendous return.
0:16:10 > 0:16:16This coastline is spectacular. Just a little farther south is Bamburgh,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19which has one of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in Britain.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23And it's a very different rock pooling experience.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- I have to say, what a sensational view.- Amazing, isn't it?
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Man-made AND natural structures.
0:16:41 > 0:16:47But compared to the little mini ponds, this is like a swimming pool or marine aquarium.
0:16:47 > 0:16:53This is totally different and one of the reasons is that these areas are never cut off from the tide.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58They're called surge gulleys because when the tide comes in, it surges up.
0:16:58 > 0:17:04It never dries out so you can see things in here that you'd normally only see if you were a diver.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Now, always take a few sensible precautions.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Don't do this on your own. Tell someone when you're expected back
0:17:19 > 0:17:24and, even better, if it really takes your fancy, get some help from your local scuba club.
0:17:24 > 0:17:30And just look at what great fun you can have.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40Every rock I turn over has got crabs under. Most of them are edible.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Jane, that was just the best time.
0:18:03 > 0:18:09There are so many fish and I couldn't catch one to bring back to you. I'm really sorry.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10All too fast?
0:18:10 > 0:18:12I did get a few little bits and bobs.
0:18:12 > 0:18:18I know this isn't much, but they are beautiful when they're under water.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21They're like a little blob of lime green jelly.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25It's an egg mass of a little worm called a green leaf worm.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28They look a bit like a rag worm.
0:18:28 > 0:18:34- And you recognise these two critters.- We've got a beautiful purple Henry, here.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38You tend to find the biggest ones in the deeper pools, like this.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40And we've got a nice sea hare.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43He's been squirting purple ink, hasn't he?
0:18:43 > 0:18:48He probably got a little bit excited or a bit afraid and slimed me.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- He's looking a bit disgruntled. - He is!
0:18:51 > 0:18:55What a terrific place! It's a complete revelation.
0:18:55 > 0:19:00And such a rich diversity of animals and plants. I know where I'm coming on my next holiday -
0:19:00 > 0:19:03rock pooling in the north coast of England.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Check out our web pages for more information.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29OK. It's time for some real wildlife.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32185 million years worth.
0:19:32 > 0:19:38We want to show you the weird and wonderful wildlife past and present of the Jurassic Coast.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41It runs for 95 miles along the south coast of England.
0:19:41 > 0:19:47Janet Sumner decided to focus her attention on the beautiful county of Dorset.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57Welcome to Charmouth in Dorset, one of the best beaches in the country for finding fossils.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02Look at this - in less than five minutes I've found two belemnite fossils.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05They're about 185 million years old.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10Related to the squid family, they died out about the same time as the dinosaurs.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13You don't have to be an expert.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17These fossils are literally rolling around on the beach,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20just waiting for you to pick them up.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24This is part of the Jurassic Coast of Dorset and East Devon,
0:20:24 > 0:20:29a stretch of coastline that has some amazing geological features
0:20:29 > 0:20:32including rocks formed during the time of the dinosaurs.
0:20:32 > 0:20:39It's England's only Natural World Heritage Site band includes the stunning Lulworth Cove.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45The fossilised forest just a mile or so from the cove
0:20:45 > 0:20:51is THE most the complete record of a Jurassic forest in the world.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52The evidence of the wood has long since gone.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54It's been eroded by the weather.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59But what's left are these huge, fossilised algal rings.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02This is algae that grew around the trunks of the trees
0:21:02 > 0:21:06when the forest was flooded about 150 million years ago.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16This is the iconic view of Dorset that appears on all the postcards.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21It is Durdle Door and, believe me, it is worth seeing in the flesh.
0:21:23 > 0:21:29The plants in this cove are growing in one of the hottest, driest and saltiest environments in the UK
0:21:29 > 0:21:36and they need some very special adaptations to be able to survive this hostile environment.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37This is sea lavender.
0:21:37 > 0:21:43There's lots of species of this around the UK coast, but only this one grows in Dorset.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46It's got thick, rubbery leaves to protect it from salt
0:21:46 > 0:21:50and tiny purple flowers spikes to stop it losing too much moisture.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55You can see why it gets its name because it does look like lavender.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58This is rock samphire. It's a succulent
0:21:58 > 0:22:02and its leaves are reduced down to spikes
0:22:02 > 0:22:08and it uses these to store water. If I break a bit off, you can actually see the water in the stem.
0:22:14 > 0:22:20I've come up here to meet Maddy Pfaff who's the head ranger for the Lulworth Estate
0:22:20 > 0:22:24She's going to be my guide to this stretch of coast.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28Maddy, the scenery is just absolutely knockout.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33Isn't it wonderful? This is Durdle Door and we have got Lulworth Cove a mile down the coastline.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37Most people come here to enjoy a day out on the beach
0:22:37 > 0:22:40but we are also surrounded by the most amazingly diverse wildlife.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Maddy, this is a really pretty little plant.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50It is. These plants in front of us
0:22:50 > 0:22:54are both bedstraws. The white one is hedge bedstraw
0:22:54 > 0:22:56and the yellow one is ladies bedstraw.
0:22:56 > 0:23:02They're called bedstraw because they were used to pack ladies' mattresses with in days gone by.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07It's got...it's like honey or something. A really strong smell.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11It would have been really nice to have a mattress packed with that.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15This is another one of these really useful plants which has had
0:23:15 > 0:23:20a human association throughout the ages. Give it a smell.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24It smells of cat pee.
0:23:26 > 0:23:27It is called fleabane.
0:23:27 > 0:23:33It was strewn over the floors of houses, dried, trodden on and it got rid of the fleas.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38If I was a self-respecting flea I would not go anywhere near that! It stinks!
0:23:38 > 0:23:42If these clifftop areas had been sprayed with fertiliser,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44only a few dominant plants would flourish.
0:23:46 > 0:23:52But there's a wonderful diversity of plants here and where you have plants, you have butterflies.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57This is a marble white butterfly.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01There are loads of them around in July and they love this type of coastline.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05Especially they like the long grasses because that's where they lay their eggs.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10And they fly along, a bit like a bomber, and drop their eggs on to selected grasses.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16This is Bindon Hill which is a fantastic place to see butterflies.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19There are about 32 species which live and breed up here.
0:24:19 > 0:24:25The great big ones that we've seen flying around, the orange ones, they're Dark Green Fritillaries.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Why are they called dark green when they're actually orange?
0:24:28 > 0:24:32That's because, on the underwing, they have a dark greenish shimmer
0:24:32 > 0:24:36which distinguishes them from the other types of fritillary.
0:24:36 > 0:24:42There are also lots of moths here including the day-flying, six spot Burnet Moth.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46We've got Adonis Blue butterflies, Common Blue butterflies,
0:24:46 > 0:24:52and the Small Blue butterfly which absolutely loves this kidney vetch, which is what it lays its eggs on.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57Now, there's one butterfly that's extra-special.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02It's a bit brown, dull and not very colourful, but it's the rarest one of them all.
0:25:02 > 0:25:08It's the Lulworth Skipper and it was given that name because it was discovered here
0:25:08 > 0:25:12and this is the only place in Britain that you find it.
0:25:13 > 0:25:19For all the beauty of the living creatures on this part of the coast, what makes this place so special
0:25:19 > 0:25:23are the things that lived on the land and under the sea here millions of years ago.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27I've come back to Charmouth for a little fossil hunting competition
0:25:27 > 0:25:30with Meirel Whaites, the warden for this part of the coast.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35What is it about fossils that just captures our imagination so much?
0:25:35 > 0:25:42I think it's the fact that you can walk along the British coastline, come onto a beach like this
0:25:42 > 0:25:46and pick up something that nobody else has touched or even seen in 185 million years.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50Especially with the children, that is the big wow factor.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Give me some tips about finding really good fossils.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55When I come out on the beach, I always carry a hammer.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00But during the summer months, you are better off looking amongst the pebbles and the gravel.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Your eyes are your best tools, and your hands.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07That's why children are so good - their eyes are younger!
0:26:07 > 0:26:11- So let's start our challenge and may the best woman win!- We'll see!
0:26:11 > 0:26:18The best time to look is on a falling low tide when the sea has churned up lots of goodies.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24Everyone's hoping to find a souvenir of sea creatures that lived
0:26:24 > 0:26:27in warm, shallow tropical seas millions of years ago.
0:26:27 > 0:26:34- I found a few but they're not very good, so has anybody got a really good fossil?- I've got an ammonite.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38That's brilliant. That's perfect. Has anybody got anything else?
0:26:38 > 0:26:44What have you got? ..An ichthyosaur vertebra. Fantastic.
0:26:45 > 0:26:51OK, Meirel, time to tally up. I think I've actually done quite well.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55I've got belemnites...
0:26:55 > 0:26:58a really, really good ammonite, but my prize...
0:26:58 > 0:27:03is a vertebra from a marine reptile.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07- I reckon that is an ichthyosaur. Am I right?- You're pretty much right.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11Right, I've got rock ammonites, a piece of fossil wood,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14a nice calcite ammonite that I've hammered open,
0:27:14 > 0:27:19a bigger ammonite than yours and the belemnites as well.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22I've got to confess, actually, I cheated.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25How did you cheat out on the beach?
0:27:25 > 0:27:28I nicked two best fossils from the kids.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32I told you the kids are the best fossil hunters.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Fossiling is really addictive
0:27:34 > 0:27:39and I'll be back to Charmouth again to see what I can find on the beach.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00More details on our website.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07If you do decide to visit Mull, and I mean look at it - it's irresistible
0:28:07 > 0:28:12before you come, check out all of those people offering trips on land and sea.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16Check with tourist information or have a quick scan of the web.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20I guarantee you'll find something that takes your fancy.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23That's it from Hands On Nature. See you again next time...
0:28:25 > 0:28:30..when Janet Sumner will be meeting some hard-working Dartmoor residents.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34They can carry up to 20 times their own body weight.
0:28:34 > 0:28:35It's amazing, isn't it?
0:28:35 > 0:28:41I'll head for Scotland, searching for one of our toughest little animals.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44This is ornithological nirvana.