0:00:02 > 0:00:06It's the season that brings with it a kaleidoscope of colour,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09when nature puts on some of its greatest displays.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Autumn.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18When our countryside is bursting with bounty.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24While some of us are preparing for the colder months ahead.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27It's the perfect time to get your boots on,
0:00:27 > 0:00:29get out for a walk and enjoy the
0:00:29 > 0:00:32changing colours of the countryside...
0:00:34 > 0:00:37..and blow away the cobwebs in the great outdoors.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42All week, we're travelling the length and breadth of the UK...
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Always keen for a chat.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46HE GOBBLES
0:00:47 > 0:00:51..bringing the very best seasonal stories that matter to you.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53If autumn continues to become later,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55could that potentially wipe out the dormice?
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Could easily disappear completely from the English countryside,
0:00:58 > 0:01:00which would be devastating.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Welcome to Countryfile Autumn Diaries.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16And here's what we've got for you on today's programme.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Keeley discovers what one flood-hit
0:01:18 > 0:01:21community is doing to fight the rising waters...
0:01:21 > 0:01:23It was very traumatic.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27For a while, you feel totally powerless in the face of nature.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30..Greg McKenzie finds out how you
0:01:30 > 0:01:33can prepare your pets for the season's noisiest night...
0:01:33 > 0:01:36If, as an owner, you know that your dog is frightened of
0:01:36 > 0:01:39fireworks, they can actually teach their dogs to associate the sound of
0:01:39 > 0:01:40fireworks with something really positive.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45..and Paul opens his doors to wildlife in need.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Oh! That's prickly!
0:01:48 > 0:01:49- Aren't they sharp?- They are.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03We've been spending this autumn week here in the beautiful Lake District.
0:02:03 > 0:02:0518 million of us flock here every year,
0:02:05 > 0:02:07making it one of the most popular
0:02:07 > 0:02:10all-year-round tourist destinations in the UK.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14As well as its magnificent waters,
0:02:14 > 0:02:1712% of the Lake District National Park
0:02:17 > 0:02:19is made up of woodland,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23from large man-made evergreen forests such as Whinlatter,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26to smaller broadleaf plantations.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29Every year in this country,
0:02:29 > 0:02:34we use 17 million tonnes of wood for building and DIY.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37But with tree planting hitting a 45-year low,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41we're actually felling trees quicker than we can replace them.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44So, how will this affect you and your home?
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Jules has been finding out.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Architectural fashions are always changing.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56But right now, building in wood is all the rage.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02From simple summer houses to the latest in skyscraper design,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04timber is back in town.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Here in the Forest of Dean on the English-Welsh border,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12these normally quiet and leafy woods are alive to the sound of a pretty
0:03:12 > 0:03:15intensive forestry operation.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Over the next six weeks, they're planning to extract
0:03:17 > 0:03:21some 3,500 tonnes of timber.
0:03:21 > 0:03:22And to do it, well,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24it's going to take a little more than a couple of lads
0:03:24 > 0:03:26and a chainsaw.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32To help them get the job done,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35they're using the latest in harvesting technology.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37It's kind of a mechanical elephant.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Kyle Williams is in charge of the felling.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Kyle, morning. How are you?
0:03:46 > 0:03:47- Good.- Nice to see you, mate.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Some people, I suppose, when looking back on forestry operations might
0:03:54 > 0:03:55have a slightly romantic view of it.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58You know, gangs out with chainsaws, you know, working hard.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01But looking at your harvester there working away, it's all changed,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- the pace, hasn't it?- Massively changed, massively changed.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09I mean, how many trees can that thing fell in a day?
0:04:09 > 0:04:12On average, 400 of these per day.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14And it's an incredible process to watch it.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15I mean, it's like a great, big
0:04:15 > 0:04:18prehistoric beast just chomping through
0:04:18 > 0:04:20the forest there. He's just about to grab...
0:04:20 > 0:04:22- Yeah, he...- Grab the next one, isn't he?
0:04:22 > 0:04:24That's right, yes, he will grab a...
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Do you know what? Just for fun, I might just time that.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- There he goes.- So he's grabbed the tree.
0:04:28 > 0:04:29- Yeah.- He's just cut the tree.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32So, the tree then just falls down on its own weight?
0:04:32 > 0:04:34He controls the direction of which the tree falls.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36He's now processing it.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39So, there are rollers on that head that are dragging the trunk through?
0:04:39 > 0:04:40And there are teeth, then, which
0:04:40 > 0:04:42actually shear off then all the branches.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44That's it. That's the tree cut.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46That was about 18 seconds.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50So, he's cut four logs and a piece of chip wood off the tree.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51That is absolutely amazing.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57The big kid in me is itching to see this beast close up.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Once, of course, they've switched it off.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Well, Kyle, now we've got a chance to see the business end of this
0:05:03 > 0:05:05harvester up close.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09It looks absolutely terrifying.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Looking at these logs under our feet here,
0:05:11 > 0:05:16how long will it take for those to become a useful building material,
0:05:16 > 0:05:17now they've been felled?
0:05:17 > 0:05:19It could take as little as three or four days.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22That's astonishing. So by the end of this week,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25these trees could be holding up a new loft conversion...
0:05:25 > 0:05:26- Yep.- ..in the heart of our capital city?
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- Yep.- That's amazing.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Once felled, the freshly-cut logs
0:05:31 > 0:05:33are sent to the sawmill for processing.
0:05:39 > 0:05:45Jonathan Poynton is managing director of the 60 acre site.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Well, Jon, this is a brilliant view
0:05:48 > 0:05:50of the operation here at the sawmill.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54Obviously, Kyle sort of walked me through the process as to how timber
0:05:54 > 0:05:56is effectively harvested, but this
0:05:56 > 0:05:57is where it becomes something useful.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01Yeah, this is where we take 65 lorry-loads of timber a day
0:06:01 > 0:06:02and try and get it to whatever final
0:06:02 > 0:06:04products the customers are looking for.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- So, yeah.- 65 lorry loads a day!
0:06:07 > 0:06:11The first stage of the process is to sort the logs for size and then scan
0:06:11 > 0:06:13them for imperfections in the wood.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15That's a really clever bit of kit isn't it?
0:06:15 > 0:06:17So, it just drops them off one by one into the belt?
0:06:17 > 0:06:19It's got one a time, not stacked up,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22so we can actually look at them as they come along.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25And just as with harvesting, speed is of the essence.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30How long will it take you to process a truck full of timber?
0:06:30 > 0:06:32We'll come in with about 26 tonnes,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34and that'll go through the mill in about 15 minutes.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- So it's...- 15 minutes!
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Nothing goes to waste at the sawmill.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Every bit of the tree is put to good use.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46It's a great place for a big boy's toy, Jon.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48That's fabulous. My son would love that.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50Once inside the mill,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54the logs are cut into pieces of timber you or I would use at home.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56It's a fully automated process,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58overseen from a central control room.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Now, that is an incredibly noisy place, isn't it?
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- Yes.- But this all together much calmer,
0:07:06 > 0:07:10and presumably the nerve centre of what's going on, Jon.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11We're taking the log and Zack's
0:07:11 > 0:07:13controlling the logs all the way through
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- the line.- Yeah.- Through the first set of saws...
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I mean, to get from fairly rough trunk,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21let's face it, to sawn timber,
0:07:21 > 0:07:23it's just a few minutes in here, isn't it?
0:07:23 > 0:07:28Yeah. It's all about maximum yield, maximum through per,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31with as little human intervention as possible.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34It's a low-tech product with a hi-tech industry behind it.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37It's amazing to think that the first time the timber will be touched by
0:07:37 > 0:07:41human hands is at the builders merchants, where you buy it from.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Having the chance to explore this sawmill has, for me, been absolutely
0:07:47 > 0:07:49fascinating. I'm like a kid in a sweet shop.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53And, clearly, mills like this one are working hard to try and meet
0:07:53 > 0:07:55ever-increasing demand.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58But how sustainable is our timber industry?
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Well, I think the answer to that is probably back in the forest.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09The vast majority of timber used in construction is
0:08:09 > 0:08:13softwood, derived from coniferous evergreen trees,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16and the reason producers are able to keep up with demand at the moment is
0:08:16 > 0:08:21that there was a boom in conifer planting 50 odd years ago.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24And those trees are now reaching maturity.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26James Williams from the Forestry Commission
0:08:26 > 0:08:28is planning for the future.
0:08:28 > 0:08:29Now, many people may be surprised to
0:08:29 > 0:08:31learn that we'd grow so many conifers
0:08:31 > 0:08:32here as we do. They tend to be
0:08:32 > 0:08:35associated with countries like Scandinavia,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37or indeed Canada.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40But what is it about the climate here in Britain that makes conifers
0:08:40 > 0:08:41- do so well?- The UK climate,
0:08:41 > 0:08:44we benefit greatly from the effect of the Gulf Stream.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45It moderates our climate, makes us
0:08:45 > 0:08:47much warmer than we would otherwise be.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52The optimal economic felling age on conifers is around 55-60 years in
0:08:52 > 0:08:57this country. In Scandinavia, it'll be 80, 100 years, maybe even more.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01But fast-growing conifers aren't everyone's cup of tea,
0:09:01 > 0:09:02because they don't produce the
0:09:02 > 0:09:04golden leaves in autumn that our native,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07slower-growing broadleaf trees are famous for.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Many people are now saying they'd
0:09:09 > 0:09:11far rather see our areas of forestry,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13where they've been felled,
0:09:13 > 0:09:18planted with more native hardwood broadleaf deciduous species.
0:09:18 > 0:09:19How do you square that one?
0:09:19 > 0:09:24The reality is that our bread and butter industries need softwood.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29We need to be producing as much conifer softwood as we can,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31and we're nowhere near what we need.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Broadleaves can't fill that gap
0:09:33 > 0:09:36and we need to recognise that all our homes, businesses, you know,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39offices, our gardens are full of softwood.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43We really do need this resource.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45But it's a resource that's under threat.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49Only 15% of the timber we use comes from the UK,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52and we're one of the least-forested countries in Europe.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54With increasing demand for wood,
0:09:54 > 0:09:57what does the future hold for our home-grown timber industry?
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Could we reach a point in the future where we're no longer producing any
0:10:02 > 0:10:05of our own home-grown timber?
0:10:05 > 0:10:09We will always be producing timber in this country.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14But it is possible that that 15% figure may reduce because of
0:10:14 > 0:10:18population increases. So, the level of demand is continuously going up.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21We've actually peaked in production terms in this country already,
0:10:21 > 0:10:23and it's now starting to drop off.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27We simply don't have the land area available to plant anywhere near the
0:10:27 > 0:10:30level of forest cover that we'd need to become self-sufficient.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33Well, as we've seen today,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36the British timber industry is clearly flourishing
0:10:36 > 0:10:38and hard at work in the process.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41But when you think these trees next to me were planted
0:10:41 > 0:10:44over 50 years ago, if supply in the
0:10:44 > 0:10:47future is to meet the increasing demand,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50we're going to have to start planting an awful lot, very soon.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05All this week we've been enjoying Cumbria's Lake District,
0:11:05 > 0:11:07and this is Derwentwater.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11Three miles long and surrounded by dramatic fells,
0:11:11 > 0:11:13it's been called the Queen Of The Lakes.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17There are four small, wooded islands poking out of the water,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20and one of them is a private residence.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22You can't get more exclusive than that.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27But ordinary, everyday homes are badly needed for Britain's injured
0:11:27 > 0:11:30animals. It's a busy time for the huge network of rescue centres
0:11:30 > 0:11:32caring for our wildlife.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34And we can all do our bit this
0:11:34 > 0:11:36autumn to help those sick and orphaned
0:11:36 > 0:11:38to get back to the wild.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Here's Paul to show you how.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Last autumn, I had my garden
0:11:42 > 0:11:45assessed by my local animal rescue centre to
0:11:45 > 0:11:48see if it was suitable as an adoption site.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Got the wooded area over there, and out here lots of things to eat.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54You could certainly have a release site. I think it's perfect!
0:11:54 > 0:11:56I'm going to take you up on that offer next year.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58That would be fantastic for us, too.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Well, the day's finally here.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04My garden has passed the test,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06so we're ready to welcome some new arrivals.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08And I can't wait to go inside and
0:12:08 > 0:12:10look around and see what they've got for me.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14The centre cares for all creatures great and small,
0:12:14 > 0:12:18from bashful fawns to floundering fledglings.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20I'm meeting centre manager Serena Stevens,
0:12:20 > 0:12:24who's been caring for injured animals for over 20 years.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- Hi, Serena!- Hiya, Paul!
0:12:26 > 0:12:29How many animals have you had in so far this autumn?
0:12:29 > 0:12:32So, September was about 560.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36We're expecting about 300-400 in this next month.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- That's a lot!- It's a lot, it's a lot lot.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39What kinds of animals?
0:12:39 > 0:12:42It's a mixture of different animals. Foxes, hedgehogs, birds of prey.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44It's that time of year where you get
0:12:44 > 0:12:46all the autumn-y things that have got
0:12:46 > 0:12:47to try and get through the winter.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50And they're either going to be too small, or they're young,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52- or they're weaker.- Well, about six months ago,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55somebody came to assess my garden and we've passed the test,
0:12:55 > 0:12:56so we're ready to take something.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59So, can we have a look around and see what you've got,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01and what I can go away with and give a home?
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- Certainly.- Come on then.- Certainly, we'll go in around the pens.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06As autumn is such a busy time at the centre,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08there are always new arrivals.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Something's just come in - a fox that has been caught in a horrible
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- football net.- Oh, can I have a look?
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Oh, was he trapped in that all night long?
0:13:16 > 0:13:17Oh, wow! Look, gosh!
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- Yes, he's big.- He's not very happy about it.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- No.- Luckily, it looks like a superficial wound,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26where it's just been like a rope burn around the back of the leg.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29The leg wasn't working at the time, but is working now, so...
0:13:29 > 0:13:32So, he put his head through the net of the goalpost and just got stuck?
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Basically it sounds like he just ran through it and got tangled up in it.
0:13:36 > 0:13:37- And he's exhausted?- Yep,
0:13:37 > 0:13:38and it's all had to be cut out.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41So, today it'll have a little rest and then it'll go back out later on.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43You'll release him back out in the dark, tonight?
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- Back to...- Exactly where...?
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- Back to the park where he came from. - Where he was found.- Yep.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Putting this fox back into the wild without any
0:13:50 > 0:13:53further assistance is called a hard release.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56He's old enough and well enough to look after himself.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01But for foxes smaller and weaker than he is, they'll need some help.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03How many are in this one?
0:14:03 > 0:14:04In that pen, there are five.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06They are actually going to go out on Friday.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Is this one family or just different foxes?
0:14:08 > 0:14:11No, these are all different individuals that have all been
0:14:11 > 0:14:13matched up. I hand reared most of these, or the girls did.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- Oh, did you?- Yeah, so, they came in like this big.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18All orphans, all different reasons.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Aw. And will they all go off to separate sites?
0:14:21 > 0:14:23No. They will go out in groups of five.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- Oh, and you'll keep them as five together?- Yes.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30The natural size for a litter of foxes is four or five,
0:14:30 > 0:14:32and in a soft release this group
0:14:32 > 0:14:35will slowly be given more freedom from
0:14:35 > 0:14:38their pen, but given less and less food,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41to acclimatize them back into a wild habitat.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45But choosing the right site for the release is paramount.
0:14:45 > 0:14:46We've got chickens...
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Yes.- ..and we've got ducks, and we have dogs.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53So, the dogs kind of keep the foxes at bay from around the house where
0:14:53 > 0:14:57the chickens are. So, I'm not a good candidate for more foxes then, am I?
0:14:57 > 0:14:58Not really. It doesn't bode well.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- No.- No. So, it won't be foxes for me this time?
0:15:01 > 0:15:02No, it won't, I'm afraid.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04So, what else have we got that we can look at?
0:15:04 > 0:15:05Well, hedgehogs.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09How many have you got in there?
0:15:09 > 0:15:11We have Mum, and three babies.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Oh, how sweet!
0:15:13 > 0:15:14And how old are they, the babies?
0:15:14 > 0:15:16The babies are about 2-3 weeks old now.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- OK.- And basically,
0:15:18 > 0:15:19the nest was disturbed and sadly
0:15:19 > 0:15:21couldn't go back to where they came from.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24And Mum was with babies, and we've had them in a stable
0:15:24 > 0:15:27and Mum's been doing a fantastic job of bringing them up,
0:15:27 > 0:15:29but they're now ready for a nice little release site.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- Can I have a look?- You certainly can.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- One of the babies.- Oh, how sweet!
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Oh, look at his nose!
0:15:36 > 0:15:37What do you feed these?
0:15:37 > 0:15:40You will be feeding them cat food and dog food.
0:15:40 > 0:15:41- Oh, well that's OK.- Dry cat food, dog food.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- Got plenty of that.- Good, good.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46What dangers face wild hedgehogs?
0:15:46 > 0:15:49In your gardens, it could be awful things like slug pellets...
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- Right.- ..and things like that. Ponds.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53If they fall into something that they can't get out of,
0:15:53 > 0:15:55then sadly that's their demise.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57So, this time of the year, this autumn, we'll feed them,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00let them move on and hopefully, come the next winter,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02that's their first winter fending for themselves?
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- Yep.- If they've made up their right
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- weight they should be all right. - Yeah.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08But we'll put food out for them all the time.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Yes, please. They need as much help as possible.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12As long as the fox doesn't pinch it.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- Or your dogs.- Or the dogs, yeah.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Yes.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18With their natural habitats dwindling,
0:16:18 > 0:16:24the British hedgehog population has fallen by 30% since 2002.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28And it's believed there are now fewer than a million left.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32That might still sound a lot, but in the 1950s,
0:16:32 > 0:16:37it was estimated we had 35 million of these wonderful creatures.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41Mrs Tiggy-winkle and her brood need our help,
0:16:41 > 0:16:43so the Martin family are pitching in.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44Well, you know what they say, it's
0:16:44 > 0:16:46all about location, location, location,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48and that's exactly it.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51For my hedgehogs, I want to give them a good start.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53So, I'm giving them a detached house with a pitch roof,
0:16:53 > 0:16:55and it's going to sit inside my
0:16:55 > 0:16:58spare aviary next to the quail house,
0:16:58 > 0:17:00so we can keep an eye on them all at once.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04And with Serena's arrival, we're
0:17:04 > 0:17:07ready to relocate my new prickly lodgers,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09although they'll need a lot of soft furnishings.
0:17:11 > 0:17:12How are they? Did they travel well?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14- They did, yep.- What I'll do is I'm
0:17:14 > 0:17:15going to cut like a little cat flap in
0:17:15 > 0:17:17the side there, because they can go
0:17:17 > 0:17:19in and out that way straight into the undergrowth,
0:17:19 > 0:17:21- rather than out onto the lawn.- I think that's perfect.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Then we don't need to leave the door open.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25I've looked on the other side and that is perfect,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27because there's a nice undergrowth they'd like out there.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- Shall we pop them in and then pop the roof on?- Yes.- Shall we?
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- Sounds good.- This is the big moment, isn't it?
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- It is.- I mean, this is the release. - Absolutely.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35This is the soft release, and I'm excited!
0:17:35 > 0:17:40The hedgehog got its name because it roots under hedges and undergrowth
0:17:40 > 0:17:43for its food, emitting pig-like grunts.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Oh, that's prickly!
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- Aren't they sharp?- They are, I'm afraid,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50but that is their way of safeguarding themselves.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51Well, it's their defence, isn't it?
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Very, very good defence.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58During hibernation, a hedgehog lives off of its fat reserves.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03If a young hedgehog or hoglet weighs less than 500g at the end of
0:18:03 > 0:18:07autumn, it's unlikely to survive a harsh winter.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Now, this is the one that you have to really look after.
0:18:10 > 0:18:11Oh, this one's cute.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13This one's the quieter one of the family.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16And basically, that one needs to be kept an eye on.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- Aw.- That's why it's best to weigh them.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21If you were to weigh them, we have actually got all their weights on a
0:18:21 > 0:18:23chart. So, then you can go it from there,
0:18:23 > 0:18:27and it gives you a rough idea or indication of their health, as well.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- Sure.- Because if they're putting on weight, then they're doing well.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34And now it's in its new home, this baby, and its family should be OK.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38Perhaps it's time I introduced them to my family.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Come on, come in and I'll show you what's in here.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42In you go.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Aw! Is it soft?
0:18:45 > 0:18:47- Would you like to hold it?- Yeah.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- Oh.- Is he light?
0:18:49 > 0:18:53Oh, this guy is cute.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- Isn't that cute?- It is really cute.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01Whether you live in town or country, there are ways to help a hedgehog
0:19:01 > 0:19:03visiting your garden.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Leaving out a titbit like dog or
0:19:05 > 0:19:07cat food will help, but nothing fishy.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11Goodnight, guys.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16And a small bowl of drinking water will be welcome, too, but not milk -
0:19:16 > 0:19:19it upsets Mrs Tiggy-winkle's tummy.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21We can all do our bit to help
0:19:21 > 0:19:24animals in need as winter approaches.
0:19:24 > 0:19:25Now, if you cannot provide refuge,
0:19:25 > 0:19:29you can at least leave some tasty healthy treats out for them.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Because believe me, if you leave them, they will find them.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41The nights are drawing in, but it's not necessarily a bad thing.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Here's what you can do to cheer up the darkness this season.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50For photographers, the hour before sunset is the golden hour when the
0:19:50 > 0:19:52light is wonderfully soft and warm.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57And a low autumn sun means that hour lasts even longer,
0:19:57 > 0:19:59making the season even more photogenic.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04This is one of the best times to capture sunset,
0:20:04 > 0:20:06as the sky is aglow with the most
0:20:06 > 0:20:09spectacular shepherd's delight of colours.
0:20:11 > 0:20:12As well as Bonfire Night,
0:20:12 > 0:20:16there are events right across the country that light up the night sky.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18In Perthshire,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21prepare to be dazzled as Faskally Woods
0:20:21 > 0:20:23is turned into an enchanted forest.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Trees are bedecked in a neon
0:20:27 > 0:20:30rainbow of colour for an annual light and music show.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35But if it's a natural display you're after,
0:20:35 > 0:20:40why not visit one of the UK's dark skies locations for some stargazing?
0:20:41 > 0:20:45With a longer night-time sky and no freezing winter temperatures,
0:20:45 > 0:20:48autumn is the perfect time to peer through the telescope.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53We recommend Exmoor and the Kielder forest,
0:20:53 > 0:20:58but you might be able to find a spot locally to get a really good view.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59The sky's the limit in autumn.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Yes, on Countryfile we really love stunning views.
0:21:04 > 0:21:05How about that one?
0:21:06 > 0:21:08And how about this one?
0:21:08 > 0:21:10This is the winning picture on the cover
0:21:10 > 0:21:14of the Countryfile calendar for 2018,
0:21:14 > 0:21:16and if you'd like to buy one, this is what you do.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24It costs £9.50, including free UK delivery.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26You can go to our website where
0:21:26 > 0:21:28you'll find a link to the order page.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Or you can phone the order line on...
0:21:35 > 0:21:41Standard geographic charges will apply to both landlines and mobiles.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44If you prefer to order by post, then send your name,
0:21:44 > 0:21:46address and a cheque to...
0:21:59 > 0:22:02A minimum of £4.50 from the sale of
0:22:02 > 0:22:06each calendar will be donated to BBC Children In Need.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15If you visit the Lake District,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18there's one thing you can expect.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21It's probably at some time going to rain,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24because Cumbria is one of the wettest parts of the UK.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29It's no stranger to disastrous flooding,
0:22:29 > 0:22:33and some of the worst happened in the winter of 2009.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35I was here at the time and I spoke
0:22:35 > 0:22:37to some of the people in Cockermouth,
0:22:37 > 0:22:41whose homes and lives have been devastated by the floodwater.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43Well, now Keeley is there talking to
0:22:43 > 0:22:45some of the residents to find out how
0:22:45 > 0:22:49they're preparing for what could be another wet winter.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54The RNLI has described the situation in Cockermouth as dire.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Although the flood levels have now stabilised,
0:22:56 > 0:23:00rescue teams continue to search for people stranded.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Overnight, RAF helicopters have airlifted
0:23:03 > 0:23:05more than 50 people to safety,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08with some people forced to break through the roofs of their houses to
0:23:08 > 0:23:09escape the rising water.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13The weather beforehand had been wet.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17The rivers were swollen and the grounds were saturated.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20But on Wednesday the 18th of November 2009,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22the Environment Agency issued
0:23:22 > 0:23:24the lowest in their rank of flood warnings.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26By the time we got to the weekend,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29things had escalated so much that hundreds of people
0:23:29 > 0:23:31had been evacuated,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33homes and businesses devastated,
0:23:33 > 0:23:34and one man had died.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40The level of these floods has been described as unprecedented.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Nearly two months' rain fell in just 24 hours.
0:23:43 > 0:23:48No-one could've predicted the amount of devastation it would cause.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Cockermouth was particularly
0:23:50 > 0:23:52affected because of its position, nestled
0:23:52 > 0:23:55right where the River Cocker meets the River Derwent.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58For Karen Nicholson, the effect of
0:23:58 > 0:24:01the flood wasn't just felt at the time -
0:24:01 > 0:24:05it took a much longer term toll on her farm and B&B business.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09The weather was horrendous. The rain never stopped coming down.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13It was a nightmare, because we lost our bridge down in Low Lorton,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15so for 12 months we had no bridge.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18So for 12 months you had to make that long journey?
0:24:18 > 0:24:2012 months, yeah, we had to make that long journey around.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22And what about the bed and breakfast?
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Yeah, the bed and breakfast was very quiet.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26My bookings were half that year.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29I had a lot of cancellations and people wasn't phoning up,
0:24:29 > 0:24:32because they just thought, you know, the Lake District was closed.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- So, there's been a long lasting effect of this?- It has, yeah.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39The damage caused by the water here in Cockermouth is said to have
0:24:39 > 0:24:44totalled over £187 million.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46But Cumbrians are made of strong
0:24:46 > 0:24:48stuff and they decided to fight back.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51So, they clubbed together and they used their own money to put towards
0:24:51 > 0:24:55new flood barriers. And what they came up with was ground-breaking.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Andy Brown is from the Environment Agency who worked with local people
0:25:01 > 0:25:04to design and build the defences.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06You look very busy here. What's going on?
0:25:06 > 0:25:09What we're doing today is practising the raising of the self-raising
0:25:09 > 0:25:11flood barriers to make sure that they work when we need them.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Communities rightly want to be
0:25:13 > 0:25:14assured that everything is in tip-top
0:25:14 > 0:25:16condition for when we enter the winter season.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18And is there anything I can do to help?
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Yeah, absolutely. What I want you to do is put on these gloves.
0:25:21 > 0:25:22- OK.- I'm going to open this valve.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Normally the river would fill these gaps underneath these barriers
0:25:25 > 0:25:28naturally, but today we're going to accelerate it by using the pump.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30OK, you'd better show me how to do this.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33So, grab hold with your left hand on there and there,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35and then turn it away from you. That's it.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37- OK.- Just keep doing that until you can't do it any more.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- That's it, perfect.- That's it, I think.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45Brilliant.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Once the water is pumping, it takes
0:25:47 > 0:25:49about an hour for the barrier to rise
0:25:49 > 0:25:52to its full height, so we're moving to the bridge for a better view.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55So, should I be seeing something right now?
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- You are actually seeing something. - Am I?- If you look really closely,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01on the top of that red wall behind you, on the piece nearest to you,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04you can just see a little thin grey line and that's just growing ever so
0:26:04 > 0:26:06- much all the time.- Ever so slightly moving?
0:26:06 > 0:26:09I expected it to kind of shoot up to protect everyone?
0:26:09 > 0:26:11No, so it's designed to act just like a river does,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13just gradually rise and rise and rise and rise.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16So, the water pushes up the barriers until they're fully erect up to
0:26:16 > 0:26:19probably about another half a metre on top of the wall that you see
0:26:19 > 0:26:21- behind us.- So, no-one's actually pressing a button or saying,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24"Oh, gosh, it's flooding! Let's get the barrier up."
0:26:24 > 0:26:25- It does it by itself?- Absolutely.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28This simple but effective idea is
0:26:28 > 0:26:31designed to hold back 77 metric tonnes of water
0:26:31 > 0:26:34from reaching Cockermouth's homes and shops.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36So, what can people do to protect themselves, as well?
0:26:36 > 0:26:38So, there's three really important things I think.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40One is to sign-up for our flood warning service,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43which they can do online or with the Floodline telephone number they can
0:26:43 > 0:26:46ring. Second thing is to make an emergency plan for their home,
0:26:46 > 0:26:47for their business. So, that's
0:26:47 > 0:26:49things like turning off the utilities in
0:26:49 > 0:26:52their house, maybe moving particular valuable possessions upstairs,
0:26:52 > 0:26:54making sure they've got their particularly important personal
0:26:54 > 0:26:57documents. And then the final thing is to think about
0:26:57 > 0:26:59how they can make their home and business more resilient.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02So, that's things like flood guards, flood doors, flood windows.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Whole range of different things like that that people can do
0:27:05 > 0:27:07to make their home more flood-resilient.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Watching the practise run today is shop owner
0:27:09 > 0:27:10Jonty Chippendale,
0:27:10 > 0:27:14who has first-hand experience of seeing the barrier in action.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19Because in December 2015, six years after the town was flooded,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22the rivers in Cockermouth rose again.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24It's difficult to explain the impact it has,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28because for a while you feel totally powerless in the face of nature.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33In 2015, these defences protected the town for hours.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34- Did you witness that?- I did.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38I was standing just about here when these were at full height,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41and you could feel them shaking with the force of the water behind them.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44But there was no water coming through.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Later on, the water got even higher
0:27:46 > 0:27:48and it came through under the bridge.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50But the Environment Agency have now fitted a gate to that bridge,
0:27:50 > 0:27:54so hopefully that's one little weakness that's been sorted out.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58But the fact is that they bought us the time to make the preparations
0:27:58 > 0:28:00and to get people to safety.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Does it make you feel better knowing this is here?
0:28:03 > 0:28:04Yes. I mean, I can't say that when
0:28:04 > 0:28:06the alerts go off it doesn't make your
0:28:06 > 0:28:11stomach churn, but your head knows that we have the defences in place
0:28:11 > 0:28:14to help protect us against floods in the future.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18And for every time in the next 20 years that these are over-topped,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21there will be countless times when these stop us being flooded.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26The barrier should withstand the elements for many years to come,
0:28:26 > 0:28:30and residents hope it'll prove its worth once again this winter.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33I've been forecasting the weather now for about ten years,
0:28:33 > 0:28:37and time and time again I've seen devastating floods.
0:28:37 > 0:28:38The predictions for the future are
0:28:38 > 0:28:41that extreme weather could become more common.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45So, ideas like this in Cumbria might just be our best defence.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55While some animals are preparing to hibernate through this unpredictable
0:28:55 > 0:28:59weather, others are pumped up and ready for a fight.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03Autumn is the season to watch one of the greatest events in nature,
0:29:03 > 0:29:04deer rutting.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08But with the British deer population
0:29:08 > 0:29:10now standing at one and half million,
0:29:10 > 0:29:14farmers have their work cut out to make sure that no-one gets hurt,
0:29:14 > 0:29:18as Adam discovered on a stag do in the Cotswolds.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22I've been a farmer my whole life,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25and I've worked with some pretty dangerous animals.
0:29:25 > 0:29:26But today's a first for me.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30Deer are one of the least-domesticated livestock,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33and generally they need little looking after.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Which is great,
0:29:35 > 0:29:36until they need handling.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41At this time of year, the stags are fuelled with aggression,
0:29:41 > 0:29:45and for our safety and theirs, we plan to remove their antlers.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Something tells me this isn't going to be easy.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53Richard Ward manages this herd and is on hand to tell me more.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- So, exciting day today.- It is.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Today is the beginning of the rut,
0:29:57 > 0:29:58as far as we're concerned and
0:29:58 > 0:30:01especially as regard to the stags are concerned.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03And the rut being the time when the stags go in and start
0:30:03 > 0:30:05- mating with the hinds?- Exactly.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07He's going to have 30 ladies to cope with,
0:30:07 > 0:30:09but he knows that his next-door
0:30:09 > 0:30:11neighbour's got another 30 to cope with.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14And although he's got his 30, he'd far rather be with the other 30.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17So, the best thing is to remove his antlers.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21- Yeah.- Bambi is a home-bred, reared-in-my-garden stag.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- Bambi.- So he's very, very friendly.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Which is why he is allowing us to get quite close to him today.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32We're going to administer something that will knock him out and allow us
0:30:32 > 0:30:34to remove his antlers.
0:30:34 > 0:30:35Once we've removed his antlers,
0:30:35 > 0:30:36we'll put him in the back of a
0:30:36 > 0:30:39trailer behind the quad bike and take him
0:30:39 > 0:30:41to his respective wives.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Oh, there we go. So, that's gone in now, has it?
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Yeah. So, now we wait a few minutes for the drugs to take effect
0:30:49 > 0:30:52and eventually he will just go to sleep.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56Just ten minutes later,
0:30:56 > 0:30:59with a little bit of persuasion, Bambi nods off.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01That's it, that's it.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06Perfect. We're just putting a towel over his eyes so that he doesn't get
0:31:06 > 0:31:08any of the shavings in his eyes.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12So, no blood or nerves in the antler?
0:31:12 > 0:31:13No, no.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16Antler is the fastest growing bone material we know of.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19And, I mean, look there, nothing at all.
0:31:19 > 0:31:20- No.- OK.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25And believe it or not, this is just 12 months growth.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27There's quite a weight there.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28Incredible.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Growing up to an inch a day during peak season,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34cutting the antlers back is an annual task.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36- So, he's ready to go, is he?- He is.
0:31:36 > 0:31:41Let's get him loaded up on the trailer and take him to his wives.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45OK. Watch...
0:31:45 > 0:31:46OK.
0:31:49 > 0:31:50- How heavy is he?- Perfect.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52He's about 200 - 250 kilos.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54That's a fair weight, quarter of a tonne.
0:31:54 > 0:31:55Yeah.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03A short trip to a neighbouring field,
0:32:03 > 0:32:05where Bambi will soon have the pick of the ladies.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09The antidote is administered and
0:32:09 > 0:32:11immediately he starts to come around.
0:32:13 > 0:32:14OK.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18So, his hinds are waiting for him just over there.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21He'll wake up fairly quickly now,
0:32:21 > 0:32:23and either they will come to him or he will go to them,
0:32:23 > 0:32:25- but it won't take long.- Quite exciting.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27More exciting for him or you?
0:32:27 > 0:32:29Um, I think probably for him.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35That was relatively straightforward,
0:32:35 > 0:32:39but I've been told the next stag could be a bit of a handful,
0:32:39 > 0:32:40so we need to keep our distance.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44And that's why we need Dave with his dart gun.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47So, the deer are now in this handling system,
0:32:47 > 0:32:49but they need to be darted,
0:32:49 > 0:32:54so Dave is going to shoot the dart into the deer, hopefully.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57So, where do you aim at, Dave?
0:32:57 > 0:33:01I'm going to aim for the top of the front shoulder
0:33:01 > 0:33:02towards the neck there.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04As long as it goes into a muscle.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21That was a good shot, Dave. And he didn't even flinch when it went in.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23No. No, he didn't.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Every animal reacts differently to the darting situation.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28He looks fairly wound up there actually, doesn't he?
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Oh, he's very, very wound up I think,
0:33:30 > 0:33:34through being brought into this small enclosure.
0:33:34 > 0:33:35Full of adrenaline.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38- Yeah, yeah.- What a handsome looking fellow, isn't he?
0:33:38 > 0:33:39He is, isn't he?
0:33:42 > 0:33:46We wait and wait,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48but this stag is determined to fight the drugs.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52It's a good 15 minutes before he succumbs.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59So, the team are now moving in just to make sure he's fully asleep,
0:33:59 > 0:34:01and to remove his antlers.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07That's what we want, a nice clean cut, no jagged edges.
0:34:07 > 0:34:08Yeah, perfect.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12Although people might think this looks cruel,
0:34:12 > 0:34:13cutting off the antlers doesn't hurt at all.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15It's like clipping your toenails.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17And it's essential that it's done,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20so that the deer don't hurt each other or hurt the people working
0:34:20 > 0:34:24with them. And this happens on deer farms all over the country.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31The stag is now ready to be taken to his ladies.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33That's the wormer, is it?
0:34:33 > 0:34:34No, that's the antidote.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Oh, that's the revival!
0:34:36 > 0:34:38That's the antidote.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40With the antidote already given,
0:34:40 > 0:34:41there's no time to hang around.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44He's almost too long for the trailer.
0:35:02 > 0:35:03- Right.- Just let him be.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07There's a good boy. He'll be up in a minute.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- There we go.- And how long does the rut go on for?
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Towards the end of November.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- Yeah.- Otherwise the calves will be born too late,
0:35:14 > 0:35:17and won't have much of a chance of surviving the following winter.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19OK.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22We're going to give this chap a bit of space to recover.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26And we'll see how Bambi, the first and friendlier stag, is getting on.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28BAMBI ROARS
0:35:31 > 0:35:35Bambi's woken up, looking for his wives already.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38And all this roaring, is that to sort of warn off other stags?
0:35:38 > 0:35:42No. No, that's to let all his hinds know that he's about and he's ready
0:35:42 > 0:35:44- for them.- I'm here and present.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47What better autumn statement could
0:35:47 > 0:35:49you have than a stag at the beginning of the rut?
0:35:56 > 0:35:59Well, I think it's probably best that we leave him to it.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Now, other distinctive sounds that
0:36:01 > 0:36:04we associate with autumn are the pops,
0:36:04 > 0:36:06whizzes and bangs from fireworks.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10As the evenings draw in and the weather cools,
0:36:10 > 0:36:12the dark skies come alive with
0:36:12 > 0:36:15colour as Guy Fawkes night is celebrated
0:36:15 > 0:36:19this weekend. 20 million of us will be attending a display.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23That's how much we love them, but for some people,
0:36:23 > 0:36:25they are a real passion.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Greg McKenzie has been to rural
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Cambridgeshire to meet a rather unusual
0:36:29 > 0:36:31fireworks expert.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38Before we find out the impact of fireworks on our countryside and
0:36:38 > 0:36:40wildlife, I'm visiting the spiritual
0:36:40 > 0:36:43home of Britain's fireworks industry.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46Ronald Lancaster may be a priest,
0:36:46 > 0:36:50but the rural Reverend is also responsible for some of the most
0:36:50 > 0:36:54spectacular firework displays the country's ever seen.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56What do you like about fireworks, Ron?
0:36:56 > 0:36:58What's your fascination with them?
0:36:58 > 0:37:01Fireworks have life. Fireworks have got a life of their own...
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Of course. And, Ron, in terms of your achievements, I mean,
0:37:04 > 0:37:06what are you most proud of?
0:37:06 > 0:37:07- The Olympics.- Wow.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Or the London Eye.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13It was a great privilege to do it as a company.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15In Britain, we spend around 20
0:37:15 > 0:37:18million a year on personal fireworks,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22but one big city new year celebration can cost millions,
0:37:22 > 0:37:25even though it might only last a few minutes.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28Basically, we're still using the old stuff, which is gunpowder.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32- Wow.- Which has been around a long time.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37The discovery of gunpowder occurred in ancient China and was used in
0:37:37 > 0:37:41Chinese firecrackers to ward off evil spirits.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Soon, gunpowder spread to the west to be used in warfare,
0:37:45 > 0:37:47and, of course, the infamous
0:37:47 > 0:37:50gunpowder plot which Guy Fawkes night commemorates.
0:37:52 > 0:37:57But how did the practising pastor turn master blaster?
0:37:57 > 0:38:00Ron learnt everything he knows about pyrotechnics from his time as a
0:38:00 > 0:38:03chemistry teacher at the local school in Kimbolton.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07A burning firework is a good example of a chemical reaction.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10I think chemistry would have been so much more interesting had you taught
0:38:10 > 0:38:13me, Ron, because my chemistry lessons were dull!
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Over the years, Ron has been inspiring many,
0:38:17 > 0:38:19many children with his love of
0:38:19 > 0:38:22chemistry and, of course, blowing things up.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26And today, he's helping out in a lesson with a former pupil.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30And that pupil, Alastair Gray,
0:38:30 > 0:38:33is now one of the school's current chemistry teachers.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35What he and Ron want to demonstrate
0:38:35 > 0:38:37is that even the biggest displays boil
0:38:37 > 0:38:41down to three key ingredients - sound, light and colour.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43I think I'll stand at the back.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Now, what do we know about gunpowder?
0:38:45 > 0:38:47- What do we think is going to happen? - It'll explode?
0:38:47 > 0:38:48It explodes. OK.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49Well, shall we see that, Ron?
0:38:49 > 0:38:51- Yes.- Shall we see if it does explode?
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Well, that was the bang, but what about a firecracker's whistle?
0:38:57 > 0:38:58Let me show you this one.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01With this one, I think the time has come for a volunteer.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03So, hands in the air. Who would like to volunteer?
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Now, there's a young man at the
0:39:05 > 0:39:06back who I know is desperate to go back
0:39:06 > 0:39:08- to school. Greg?- I'm sorry, guys.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Come on, out you come. Sorry, guys!
0:39:10 > 0:39:14If you put the powder in the bottom of the tube and leave the top of the
0:39:14 > 0:39:18tube open, it acts like an organ pipe.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20Just the very end of it, and then just step back towards me.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Step back. Shouldn't this have a longer fuse?
0:39:23 > 0:39:25- Yeah.- And then retire...- And run.
0:39:25 > 0:39:26And come back!
0:39:26 > 0:39:27EXPLOSIVES WHISTLE
0:39:30 > 0:39:32- And there you go.- I've got to turn this off.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34That was so loud!
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Next, a firework's colours.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41For over a thousand years, they were limited to yellow and orange,
0:39:41 > 0:39:43but as more chemical elements were discovered,
0:39:43 > 0:39:47the 19th century sky was aglow with reds, greens and blues.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51Copper produces blue,
0:39:51 > 0:39:54but copper only produces blue at a fairly low temperature,
0:39:54 > 0:39:56about 500 degrees.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59- Fairly low.- You can have fairly high temperatures with those.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- Fairly low temperature, Greg. Only 500 degrees.- Wow.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Only 500 degrees?
0:40:03 > 0:40:05- Here we go.- And then if you just poke at each one,
0:40:05 > 0:40:06and let's see what happens.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Oh. So, there's our red.
0:40:09 > 0:40:10That is amazing, isn't it?
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Look at the colours, they're so vivid!
0:40:12 > 0:40:14OK. You can do the next one. This should be a green.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17There we go, there's our green.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20- And our last one.- Wow, wow!
0:40:20 > 0:40:22- And the smoke.- This one's coming towards me.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24I'm disappearing!
0:40:24 > 0:40:26There's the smoke.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29It's like no chemistry lesson I had at school,
0:40:29 > 0:40:32and using fireworks has certainly worked up the students.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35It was just, like, so exciting.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Like, it gave you a thrill.
0:40:37 > 0:40:38Wow. That's good.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40- And what about yourself?- I liked the screamer.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43You know, when it made the really loud whistle.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- That was scary, wasn't it?- That was loud!- It was so loud!
0:40:46 > 0:40:47It was loud, but it's really cool.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54But as much as we love to celebrate autumn with some whizzes and bangs,
0:40:54 > 0:40:59what impact is it having on our countryside and wildlife?
0:40:59 > 0:41:02I'm meeting Sam Gaines from the RSPCA to find out more.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08How much of a problem are firework displays, and, kind of,
0:41:08 > 0:41:10fireworks for our wildlife and countryside?
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Well, for our wildlife, we don't
0:41:12 > 0:41:13have any direct evidence that it does
0:41:13 > 0:41:15cause distress and suffering,
0:41:15 > 0:41:18but it's highly likely that there are going to be some wild animals
0:41:18 > 0:41:20and birds that are frightened by fireworks.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Certainly what we would advise
0:41:22 > 0:41:23people to do is that if they want to set
0:41:23 > 0:41:25off their own fireworks and they're
0:41:25 > 0:41:27near a nature reserve, then don't do it.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29So, you can get fireworks that are a lot quieter and they're less
0:41:29 > 0:41:32likely to scare animals. But probably what's really important is
0:41:32 > 0:41:35if you do let off fireworks, wait until they've cooled and then
0:41:35 > 0:41:37collect all the debris and the rubbish, because that actually can
0:41:37 > 0:41:39cause quite a lot of harm to wildlife.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41And, Sam, how can we be protecting our pets during the season?
0:41:41 > 0:41:43If you have cats and dogs, on
0:41:43 > 0:41:45the night when fireworks are going off,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47you keep them somewhere that is safe and secure.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49Close your windows, close the curtains,
0:41:49 > 0:41:51put some music on to try and muffle the sounds.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53A firework is loud for us...
0:41:53 > 0:41:55- Yeah.- Imagine what it's doing to a cat or a dog.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58So, one of the things that we can do is actually plan ahead.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00If as an owner you know that your dog is frightened of fireworks,
0:42:00 > 0:42:03there is, for example, a treatment programme called Sounds Scary,
0:42:03 > 0:42:06and this is a downloadable programme that is available.
0:42:06 > 0:42:07And over a period of time, basically,
0:42:07 > 0:42:10your dog learns not to respond to the sounds.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12Once your dog is not reacting to the sound,
0:42:12 > 0:42:15you then start pair that with things that dogs really like.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17So, like, playing with toys, giving them chew toys, games,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19that sort of thing. So, eventually
0:42:19 > 0:42:22what you'll have is a dog that instead of being frightened of
0:42:22 > 0:42:24fireworks, actually thinks that they're a very positive thing,
0:42:24 > 0:42:27and means that something very pleasant is going to happen.
0:42:36 > 0:42:41Fireworks are as much a part of our autumn traditions as falling leaves
0:42:41 > 0:42:45or conkers. And it would be such a shame to lose them.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47But with a little bit of consideration,
0:42:47 > 0:42:52we can help make this time-honoured tradition enjoyable and safe for
0:42:52 > 0:42:54everyone. And who knows?
0:42:54 > 0:42:56You might even learn some chemistry along the way.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04Well, we do like to go out with a bang, because that's the end of our
0:43:04 > 0:43:05Autumn Diaries,
0:43:05 > 0:43:10but please make a note in your diary for the beginning of February when
0:43:10 > 0:43:12we'll be back celebrating winter.
0:43:12 > 0:43:13So, until then, goodbye.