0:00:03 > 0:00:07There's a change in the air, and with it comes the most spectacular,
0:00:07 > 0:00:10the most theatrical seasonal show of all.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Autumn!
0:00:15 > 0:00:18It's a time of fruitfulness, of harvest.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23When our six million acres of woodland come alive with colour.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28It's one of the busiest times of the year across the land.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34And for wildlife, it's a chance to stock up before the harsh winter days ahead.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38All this week we're travelling the length and breadth of Britain,
0:00:38 > 0:00:41bringing the very best seasonal stories that matter to you.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Oooh, that's a biggie!
0:00:45 > 0:00:49Yeah, that is our family walnut tree.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52This is Countryfile Autumn Diaries.
0:00:59 > 0:01:00Coming up on today's programme...
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Keeley reports on a contentious plan to protect one of our most cherished
0:01:06 > 0:01:08native species, the red squirrel.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11It's a battle to save an endangered animal.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Matt stumbles across a magical seasonal phenomenon.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19I've been coming up here for 30, 40 years, and I've never, ever seen this.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22And I'll be building a new home, up in the trees.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29What better place to welcome autumn than here in the breathtaking beauty
0:01:29 > 0:01:32of the Kielder Forest in Northumberland?
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Stretching for more than 250 square miles,
0:01:35 > 0:01:37it's England's largest forest,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40producing 20% of the country's timber.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44But most of us have a much smaller space to cultivate,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46be it an allotment or a back garden,
0:01:46 > 0:01:51and these days an astonishing one third of all us Brits grow our own
0:01:51 > 0:01:56fruit and veg, and for some, it seems, big really is beautiful.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Margherita has been tracking down the secrets of how to grow extremely
0:02:00 > 0:02:02large vegetables.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Forget Bake Off, forget MasterChef,
0:02:09 > 0:02:10when it comes to the meeting of marrows,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12the conflict of the cabbages,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16the battle of the beans, it doesn't get much tougher than this -
0:02:16 > 0:02:18the National Giant Vegetable Competition.
0:02:20 > 0:02:2579 vast veg growers from all over the country are gathering in Malvern
0:02:25 > 0:02:29to compare their colossal carrots and towering turnips.
0:02:29 > 0:02:30Competition is fierce.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34The goal? To win best in class, or maybe even a new world record,
0:02:34 > 0:02:36and the stakes couldn't be higher.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40In the giant vegetable world, size matters.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42But it's not all about the money, it's about winning!
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Going head-to-head in this year's competition are two green giants
0:02:47 > 0:02:49from south Wales.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53I'm Ian Neale, I've been doing this since the mid-'80s and I've got four
0:02:53 > 0:02:55world records.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58I'm Kevin Fortey, second-generation giant vegetable grower,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00currently hold the world record for the longest radish.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Kevin's obsessed by the giant vegetables.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Sometimes we're out here at 12 o'clock at night with a torch.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11A few weeks ago it was about one o'clock, he was still out here working.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14We need to get them as clean as we possibly can.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17They won't allow any dirt on there.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Despite living just ten miles apart,
0:03:19 > 0:03:23Ian and Kevin's approaches couldn't be more different.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27The old way's the best way, and it always will be.
0:03:27 > 0:03:28Our ancestors knew how to grow,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31and they didn't have fertilisers and these chemicals.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Well, for the first time this year we've grown vegetables hydroponically.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40I think hydroponic growing is the next step for giant vegetables.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Ian's not a scientist, he just shoves anything in.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45But who will come out on top?
0:03:45 > 0:03:49The UK Giant Vegetable Championships is the highlight of our growing calendar.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Everybody goes to the show with the chance of winning.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55We're all competitive, we all try and get first.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59Veteran grower Ian Neale has been big in the giant veg world for the
0:03:59 > 0:04:05last 30 years, and I'm hoping he'll let me into his closely guarded growing secrets.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07I've got a nice surprise waiting here for you.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08OK, can't wait to see this.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11I've been hearing about this but I haven't seen it yet.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Oooh, that's a biggie.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Wow! You must be pleased?
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- I am.- Might need a crane in to lift that one.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22No, you and I are going to lift that.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24SHE LAUGHS
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Now, you hold four world records already,
0:04:28 > 0:04:32so what is the secret to growing these veg so big?
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Just having the right seed, the right weather,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37the right ground and good luck.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Is there anything else that's known to help them grow?
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Do vegetables like being spoken to, do they like a bit of company,
0:04:43 > 0:04:44a bit of music?
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Well, I don't speak to mine!
0:04:46 > 0:04:50I might open the door and say good morning, and that's it.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Ian's got particularly high hopes at this year's show for a rather special celery,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58but first he needs to get it out of the ground.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00I'm putting this on to protect us.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07We'll get what we call celery burn, big blisters on your arm.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09They just don't like being dug up, they get their own back.
0:05:11 > 0:05:12So could this be an award winner?
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I'm hoping.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Wow, that is a whopper.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21Do you not need an army to move all these?
0:05:23 > 0:05:25No, I cope.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Crikey, look at that.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28Wow.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32It's huge. Are you happy with what you're seeing?
0:05:32 > 0:05:33- Yes.- It's looking good?
0:05:33 > 0:05:34Very happy.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Does this feel like a world record winner?
0:05:38 > 0:05:40It's pretty close, yes.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41That's heavy.
0:05:42 > 0:05:43That might be a winner!
0:05:45 > 0:05:50Up-and-coming youngster Kevin Fortey is also hoping to win big at this year's show.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52It's a matter of family honour.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55My dad started off giant vegetable growing in the UK in the early '80s,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57in a pub just down the road from here.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00They then basically decided they had to move to a different pub,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03because the pub doors, it was only a single door.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07And Kevin's son, Jamie, is also following the family tradition,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10with the UK record for the largest sunflower.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12You, above everyone, must know the secrets.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16Tell us one of the keys we need to think about if we're growing giant veg.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19You need to make sure that all the plants have the right vitamins and
0:06:19 > 0:06:21nutrients, just like us humans have.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Without that, they're not going to grow to their maximum potential.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26For me, it's just trying to better yourself every year.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30Can I give you a hand, cutting down some of these veg, getting some of the veg ready for the show?
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- Yeah, no worries, as long as you don't put your finger in them. - OK, I've been told!
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Kevin, what have you decided to take to the show?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40We're taking the mini crocodile.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43The monster marrow there.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48I'll lift up the umbrella, and then we can take the fleece off.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50If you just want to put your fingernail into there,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52that is perfectly soft.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54- Yes.- That is perfectly edible.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58So this could be in our tea tonight.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00You'd need quite a big pot!
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Competition entries have to weigh in by ten o'clock this evening,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07so Ian and Kevin will soon discover if it's old-fashioned know-how or
0:07:07 > 0:07:10new technology that will triumph.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Do you want the heavy end or the light end?
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Oh, crikey.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Right, OK, let me get the knees into this, God.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24But first they have to get their huge harvest to the Malvern showground.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27I reckon you've got an award winner there.
0:07:27 > 0:07:28Yeah, we'll soon see.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31What are we taking from this greenhouse?
0:07:31 > 0:07:32We're taking our giant bell pepper.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34That is a size, wow.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39A little bit close!
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Do you know what, why don't you look after that one?!
0:07:43 > 0:07:45This is a really tricky operation, every ounce counts,
0:07:45 > 0:07:47and every root counts.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49This radish is the biggest one I believe we've ever grown.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- Lift or roll?- Roll.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- Oof!- That's in.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Just how many giant vegetables can you fit in the back of an estate car?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Apparently, quite a lot.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Wow.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10We put the small stuff round this now.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12So there's much more to come?
0:08:13 > 0:08:14There's a lot to come.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19And it's not just each other they have to beat.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21There are a lot of good growers throughout the UK.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27There's David Thomas from Cornwall, Peter Glazebrook, Joe Atherton.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Peter Glazebrook's the one to beat, every year.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33I have beat him, so it's up to me to do it again.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37I don't know what he's got up his sleeve, but hopefully we've got something bigger up our sleeve.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- Good luck.- Thanks.- We'll see you there.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Right, thanks very much, thank you.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47So, who will be this year's king of the crop?
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Will Ian's prize celery be a record-breaker?
0:08:50 > 0:08:54Will Kevin uphold the honour of his family, and come home with a win?
0:08:54 > 0:08:56All will be revealed, later.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05Can't wait. A recent report has suggested that an alarming one in ten of
0:09:05 > 0:09:09our native species is in danger of disappearing completely,
0:09:09 > 0:09:14and there's an animal invader which is proving to be a great threat to
0:09:14 > 0:09:17its native cousin. Keeley's on the case.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26Former police officer Glen Graham is calling on 20 years' experience in
0:09:26 > 0:09:29criminal investigations to track a deadly intruder.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35This is the latest work in the fight for survival of one of our most
0:09:35 > 0:09:38endangered species - the red squirrel.
0:09:40 > 0:09:46The red squirrel population has declined by almost 95% since the 1950s.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50The culprit Glen's trying so hard to apprehend is the red's nemesis...
0:09:51 > 0:09:54..the American grey squirrel,
0:09:54 > 0:09:59an impostor introduced by an aristocratic landowner back in Victorian times.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02It's painstaking work,
0:10:02 > 0:10:06but could the tide finally be turning in the red's favour?
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Glen's the squirrel ranger at Wallington Estate in Kielder Forest,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13which half of England's red squirrels call home.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Hi there, Glen, good to see you.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22- Hello.- It's probably best that you start by explaining to me what it is
0:10:22 > 0:10:25about the grey squirrels that's so bad for the red squirrels.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29It basically outcompetes the reds, so it lives in much higher densities,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32it can eat a wider range of food and it can eat the food before it's ripe,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34which the red can't.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38So they will clear out the food before it's available for the reds,
0:10:38 > 0:10:40but the additional thing, and the real danger,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43is the grey carries a disease called squirrelpox virus,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47which is harmless to the grey but is fatal to the reds and kills them
0:10:47 > 0:10:48within about two weeks.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53And what would be the problem if the grey population thrived and the red
0:10:53 > 0:10:55population died out?
0:10:55 > 0:10:56Well, there's several actually.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58They bark-strip trees,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01which are then infected by fungus and things like that.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03They cause real problems in fruit orchards,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06and we know that they take a number of songbird chicks as well.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08So they're a bit of a pest then, really?
0:11:08 > 0:11:12They are, they're actually on the UN list of most damaging,
0:11:12 > 0:11:13invasive species.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16So if this project worked and the grey squirrels died
0:11:16 > 0:11:19out and the red squirrels thrived, wouldn't they then be pests?
0:11:19 > 0:11:25Well, that's one of those things. Luckily, no, because they evolved here with the other wildlife here,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27so there's a niche for them to fit in,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29thanks to millions of years of evolution.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32In the four and a half years that Glen's been the full-time ranger here,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35red squirrel numbers have increased tenfold.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38I want to find out how he's managed that.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39What are we going to do here today, then?
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Well, a big part of the job is monitoring now.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44So we've got lots of red squirrels back,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48now we have to keep an eye on it and make sure that we don't get greys
0:11:48 > 0:11:51coming in and reinfecting them, so we'll be going and doing that today.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Glen's putting his investigative skills to good use.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00It's a daily routine of checking the 50 or so feeders for even the tiniest
0:12:00 > 0:12:02shred of evidence of a rogue grey.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08So you keep these full of food to entice the squirrels in, do you?
0:12:08 > 0:12:09Yes, and as we can see here,
0:12:09 > 0:12:13some squirrels have been because only they can work out how to lift the lid.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- So the birds can't get in here?- No, exactly.- They're not clever enough? - No. What we're going to look for,
0:12:17 > 0:12:21we'll see if there's any red or grey hairs on the sticky pad inside the lid.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22As we can see here...
0:12:22 > 0:12:24God, there's loads of them on there, and definitely grey.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Yes, definitely grey hairs, a little bit of red there as well,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29so we've got both species present.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33So, I mean, that's your indicator of a need for fast action.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36This could mean disaster for Glen.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38If this was to happen on a Friday, say,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42and say I was hoping to have that weekend off, really, I can't,
0:12:42 > 0:12:44I'm going to have to come in and deal with this grey straightaway.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48I actually wouldn't rest thinking that I may lose the reds.
0:12:48 > 0:12:49So what's the next step, then?
0:12:49 > 0:12:51The next step would be to refill this again.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55We could put a wildlife camera up to ascertain the times the greys come
0:12:55 > 0:12:58in to feed, and that would inform me to the times I would come,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01because I would need to shoot that grey squirrel,
0:13:01 > 0:13:03and I couldn't use a trap because obviously reds are coming,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05so I'd just keep trapping reds.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07It's legal to catch and kill grey squirrels,
0:13:07 > 0:13:11as long as this doesn't cause unnecessary suffering to the animal.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Glen's on the case of another grey he's been tracking for some time.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23So how long ago did you find grey hairs in this, then?
0:13:23 > 0:13:24This was a couple of days ago,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27and I had to put a wildlife camera on that tree,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30and I know that this grey was coming in the afternoon.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- You can see the hairs are still there.- And there's some fresh hairs on there.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Yeah, and we also have a bit of red and again, obviously,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37that shows you the urgency.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39And how crucial is it you get this sorted out ASAP?
0:13:39 > 0:13:44It's vital, because it could literally be a disaster if it was a carrier of the pox.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46- Even one?- Yes, even one.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51In fact, three years before Glen became full-time squirrel ranger at Warrington,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54the entire red population here was all but wiped out by a
0:13:54 > 0:13:57single rogue grey carrying the virus.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Some people will be very uncomfortable at the thought of you sat here,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02waiting to shoot the grey squirrel.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Yes, absolutely, and I can totally understand that,
0:14:05 > 0:14:06because I love animals.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10It certainly wouldn't be my first choice of what we have to do.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13And, in all honesty, nobody would be happier than me if we can come up
0:14:13 > 0:14:14with some alternative method.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Glen's settling in for a long wait.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22His work here in Kielder is just one of a number of schemes aimed at
0:14:22 > 0:14:26stemming the grey squirrels' dominance.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28The pine marten, a relative of the weasel family,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32has already proved effective in grey squirrel control in Scotland
0:14:32 > 0:14:37and Ireland, and last year these cat-sized carnivores were introduced
0:14:37 > 0:14:40in Mid Wales, in a bid to eradicate this pest problem.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Yet, despite these promising projects,
0:14:43 > 0:14:47the red squirrel is still being squeezed out and its population remains in decline.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50So what, if anything, is the answer?
0:14:50 > 0:14:53How about putting the greys on the pill?
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Adrian Vass is from UK Squirrel Accord,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01a group of leading organisations brought together by Prince Charles
0:15:01 > 0:15:03to coordinate red squirrel conservation.
0:15:03 > 0:15:08They're working on a radical solution, a squirrel contraceptive.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10So tell me about this contraceptive pill.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13The oral vaccine would be put into a dispenser halfway up a tree,
0:15:13 > 0:15:17and the grey squirrel would then be able to help themselves,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20based on their weight, to a small nut, baited nut,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24and will then be affected for probably up to about four years.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26It would be a nightmare if the reds ended up eating it?
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Yes, but the reds are considerably lighter than greys.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32They wouldn't have the body weight to open the dispenser?
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- That's right.- And does it affect the male or female of the species?
0:15:35 > 0:15:37It affects both.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39And what would it look like, how big would it be?
0:15:39 > 0:15:41It would, here, I have some here for you.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45We're looking at a timeframe of five years to get the product available.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46And once it is available,
0:15:46 > 0:15:50we would then have three years to bring down the population of the grey squirrels,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52probably as much as 70%, our scientists are telling us.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Wow. So it's feasible that within the next decade we could almost have
0:15:56 > 0:15:59reversed the problem that the greys have caused?
0:15:59 > 0:16:03Absolutely. And the lower you reduce the population of greys,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06the lower instance you have of pox virus.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10Adrian and his team are currently looking for commercial funding to
0:16:10 > 0:16:12get the squirrel pill to market.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14They're hoping it will get the green light soon.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16It is really a game changer.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19It's good for our landscape, it's good for our trees,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22probably best of all, it means our red squirrel population can then
0:16:22 > 0:16:27thrive and we could actually start seeing red squirrels coming down to
0:16:27 > 0:16:29areas in the south of England,
0:16:29 > 0:16:33which haven't seen the red squirrel since just after the war.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36I think for many, many people that would be an absolute joy.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41If this extraordinary project gets the go-ahead and proves a success,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45it could reverse the catastrophic decline of one of our most endangered species,
0:16:45 > 0:16:50and, hopefully, the red squirrel will become commonplace once again
0:16:50 > 0:16:53in woodlands right across the UK in the next decade.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Autumn's when nature prepares for leaner times.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07It's a busy spell of filling the larder for animals and humans alike,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11but what if you're living and working in one of the most remote locations
0:17:11 > 0:17:12in Britain?
0:17:12 > 0:17:16The Farnes is a group of 28 islands located off the coast of
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Northumberland, and there's only one rather rocky way in for suppliers,
0:17:20 > 0:17:21as Ellie finds out.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25So, William, you take supplies out most days.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27What sort of thing do you take out there?
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Well, for the wardens here today we've got the fresh water,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32because there's no running water on the island.
0:17:32 > 0:17:33We've got some post.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35They still get their letters,
0:17:35 > 0:17:39even though they've got mobile phones and that, and internet access now.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42And, of course, we've got fuel for their heating and to power their boats
0:17:42 > 0:17:46as well, the little dinghies that they have.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50To land on Brownsman I need to jump ship first to the warden's smaller
0:17:50 > 0:17:53boat, because at low tide William's can't get any closer.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58I'm joining wardens Ciaran Hatsell and Graeme Duncan on Brownsman.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01They look after the Outer Farnes.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Nice. So this is where the parties happen, is it?
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- Yeah, absolutely.- Sometimes, sometimes.
0:18:06 > 0:18:07It's all a bit wild out here.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Good gracious. So, here you go, we've got some water here.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13What have you got, in terms of mod cons?
0:18:13 > 0:18:15We've got electricity in the form of solar power,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17and we've also got a generator if that runs out,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20but we tend not to need to use it out here.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21If you get a little bit of sun,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24it's pretty good and it keeps everything going for a while.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29The water's so intriguing, though. How do you survive with just water that comes across from the mainland?
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- You must have to ration it, do you? - Yeah, we've got to be pretty frugal.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37- So, basically, with regards to washing, we don't really wash that often.- Nice.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Because, obviously, you've got to conserve it, cos you don't know when you're
0:18:40 > 0:18:43getting your next batch of water. So we just use it for drinking and washing up as well.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Confession time then.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47When did you last shower?
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- About a week ago.- Nice.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- I don't smell that bad.- No, it's good, that's not too bad.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- And you, Graeme?- About the same time, a week ago. We all went
0:18:55 > 0:18:59into the mainland at the same time, to joint wash.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05With an old lockkeeper's cottage all to yourself, and a view like this,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08maybe the no-washing issue isn't such a big deal.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11They have plenty in the way of biscuits and beverages to keep their
0:19:11 > 0:19:12spirits up.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15Nice roof terrace, boys.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Fantastic.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22The Farnes are famous for their birdlife,
0:19:22 > 0:19:27and in the springtime the islands are home to 30,000 pairs of puffins
0:19:27 > 0:19:28and thousands of guillemots.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Come autumn, it's a completely different story.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34It's nice this time of year. It's a bit quieter for us.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36But, yeah, we start to notice the migrants coming through.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39So, birds come and spend the winter in Britain and even further south
0:19:39 > 0:19:42into the Mediterranean and they'll be using the Farnes as a stopping point.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45It's a good place to be if you're a migrant bird wanting a rest.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- Absolutely. Or a keen birder. - Or a keen birder.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52You definitely need the Robinson Crusoe gene for this job,
0:19:52 > 0:19:54but it's a highly sought-after position.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Over 200 people apply every year for just a handful of jobs.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02Right now, the wardens are busy getting ready for the seal pupping season.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06To find out more, I need to do a little island hopping.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08So, where are we heading off to now?
0:20:08 > 0:20:10We're going to the North and South Wamses.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12It's one of their favourite places for the seals.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15It's a bit out of the way. They keep out of the way of us humans.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18So, yeah, it's one of the smaller islands as well, one of the smaller Farnes.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25What a whopper!
0:20:25 > 0:20:26Yeah, he's a bull seal.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30You can see the back of his neck. It's lovely and thick and furry.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32That's what the bull seals will grab when they're fighting.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35There's a couple... We've got an audience behind us there.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- They're pretty curious animals. - Really curious!
0:20:38 > 0:20:39Well, I'm just as interested.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Seals have been monitored here for 60 years,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46giving us a real insight into their lives.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Pup season means it's time to start tagging.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Soon, these beaches will be packed with newborns and Ciaran
0:20:52 > 0:20:53and Graeme have their work cut out.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57So, what's the idea behind the tagging?
0:20:57 > 0:21:01Basically, Graeme's got a dye in a bottle and it's got quite a long range on it.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04So, basically, he'll spray the pup from quite a long distance and,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07from that, every time we come, we can see whether the same pups are still here.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09From that, we can calculate the mortality rate.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Mum isn't overly keen on her babies being graffitied,
0:21:15 > 0:21:19so Ciaran's on distraction patrol whilst Graeme goes in with the paint.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- That's it, he's got the dye there. Simple.- Yeah, that's good.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24We are actually putting the dye on now,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27but they used to be plastic clips that went on their tail.
0:21:27 > 0:21:28- Like a piercing?- Yeah.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32So, basically, we had to have a vet present to do that so we don't really do that now.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33What a faff!
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- Yeah.- So that was quite simple, wasn't it?
0:21:35 > 0:21:40Yeah, it's hassle-free and it keeps the stress levels to a minimum for both the mother and the pup as well.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- They almost have forgotten.- They're pretty happy.- Forgotten we were even here.- That's it.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Two pups down and 12 to go.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50Graeme has spotted one on its own without a mum so I'm going in with the paint.
0:21:50 > 0:21:51Is this distance any good?
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- Erm...- A bit closer.- Closer.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- Give it a go.- Ooh.- There you go. It's on the flippers there.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Is that all right? Is that enough? - Yes, that's fine.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03I'm sorry, it's all for science!
0:22:03 > 0:22:07Grey seals have bred on the Farne Islands since historical records began.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Way back in the seventh century,
0:22:09 > 0:22:13the Christian saints who came here seeking solitude wrote about them.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Recently, the colony has done well,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18but whatever the future holds for them,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20thanks to the work of wardens like Ciaran and Graeme,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24we'll have 60 years' worth of research to help us make sense of it all.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33The falling of the leaves heralds the start of autumn and here,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36in Kielder, it's starting to look quite spectacular.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41But with less than a quarter of the UK now covered in woodland,
0:22:41 > 0:22:45it's vital that we preserve our trees for future generations.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47So, what's the best way of looking after them?
0:22:47 > 0:22:48Here is Paul Martin
0:22:48 > 0:22:53with your guide to a seasonal MOT for trees.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02I just love mature trees.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04I really am a bit of a tree hugger.
0:23:04 > 0:23:10They make the most wonderful autumnal spectacle when their leaves turn red and golden.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12But, like animals,
0:23:12 > 0:23:16they need looking after and now is the time of the year to start
0:23:16 > 0:23:20pollarding - topping off, if you want - thinning out and replanting.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25It's still quite early in the season and not all the leaves have turned.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29So, I've called on Hamish Thompson from the Woodland Trust to
0:23:29 > 0:23:32cast his expert eye over my trees to come up with a plan.
0:23:33 > 0:23:34Hi, Hamish. Hello!
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- Hi, Paul, nice to see you.- I see you've found the willow trees.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40- I have indeed. Aren't they lovely? - Yeah. I know I neglected to top this one two years ago.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Look at it, it just gets so top-heavy, it really does.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46They are beautiful trees and it's such a traditional way of managing
0:23:46 > 0:23:49these willow trees, by pollarding, and that's what's happened here.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Pollarding is the process of cutting the tree right back to the bare trunk.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54If it's done once,
0:23:54 > 0:23:59you have to keep doing it otherwise they become very top-heavy and fragile and they fall over.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- That's happened over there.- That's what happens?- Shall we go and have a look at it?- Yeah, yeah.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08So, this particular species of willow is called crack willow.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09The whole trunk gets split apart like that.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12And that's what's going to happen to that one if I don't take the top off.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13It will, it will.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16A pollarded tree is much longer than a tree that's left to its own
0:24:16 > 0:24:18devices, but it's still alive.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22- The horses still graze off this. They pick the leaves.- They do and that's very interesting because
0:24:22 > 0:24:23willow has a natural painkiller in it.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26It's from willow that aspirin was derived.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28How would I go about sorting this out?
0:24:28 > 0:24:30What would you do? Would you pollard this to the knuckle as well,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- even though it's over?- I would treat it exactly the same as the whole tree itself.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Pollard it right down back to the main bit of trunk and it will
0:24:36 > 0:24:38send out heaps of new growth in the spring.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41They grow so fast. It will put on a metre a year easily.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47With around 123 million of UK trees located outside of woodland,
0:24:47 > 0:24:51our garden trees are a vital part of a healthy tree population.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56A bit of judicious cutting back this winter can keep them flourishing for years.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00I've also noticed an interloper and I want Hamish's advice on ivy.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03The ivy is a brilliant habitat.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05All sorts of creatures will be living in there.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07So, that's not going to strangle the tree?
0:25:07 > 0:25:09No, so many people say that to me.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Ivy does not harm trees.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12It's a really common misconception, that.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15All the ivy is doing is using the tree as a climbing frame.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17It's not doing the tree any harm at all.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20You can see that the crown of the tree is always above the ivy and the ivy
0:25:20 > 0:25:24is just using it to get some light, get to the top, but it won't do it any harm at all.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26So, yeah, leave the ivy on the tree, please.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Cutting back my willows will have to wait until winter, when the leaves
0:25:30 > 0:25:32drop off and the trees are dormant.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36But Hamish has suggested a perfect autumn activity I can do now.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Collecting up seeds to plant to grow new trees.
0:25:39 > 0:25:46The Woodland Trust is aiming to plant 64 million trees in the next ten years.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Well, there's a few walnuts here.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50I've managed to beat the squirrels to some of these.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- Look at them.- I've got some beech nuts here and some of them have opened up.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- You can see the nuts inside there. - Yeah.- And look at these beautiful crab apples.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00- Lovely. Aren't they lovely? - We can cut them open with a knife and get the seed out.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03But the important thing is, they'll need frost to get them going but you've
0:26:03 > 0:26:04got to keep the mice off them.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Look after them in pots for the first year
0:26:06 > 0:26:08and this time next year think about planting them.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Later on today I'll pot these out with the kids and, hopefully,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- they'll see them grow into the future.- What a great thing to do. - Yeah.- It will inspire them.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21Before we do that, I've got another tree-inspired project in mind.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24I want to make my woodland a safe haven for wildlife.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28In particular, I want to encourage owls to come and nest here,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30so I've got to build an owl box.
0:26:31 > 0:26:32As their name suggests,
0:26:32 > 0:26:37barn owls would have nested traditionally in farm buildings or tree hollows,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40but changes in farming and the loss of many native trees has
0:26:40 > 0:26:46meant that around half of all UK barn owls now live in man-made nesting boxes.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Woohoo!
0:26:48 > 0:26:51This is going to be a lot bigger than a normal bird box because owls
0:26:51 > 0:26:54need quite a lot more space, especially when they're rearing young.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01And adding lead and roof felt to the top will help to make it watertight.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04You can help find instructions for making your own on owl conservation websites.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Making it is one thing, but where to put it?
0:27:09 > 0:27:13Luckily, help is on hand from the RSPB's Anya Wicikowski
0:27:18 > 0:27:21- Hello.- Anya, that's perfect timing.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23- Excellent.- That is perfect timing.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25I've nearly finished it.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27Where were you?! Have you found a good spot yet?
0:27:27 > 0:27:29- Yes, I have.- Yeah? Happy?
0:27:29 > 0:27:30Yes, very happy.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34So, what do you really look for in a good spot for an owl box.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38OK, so one of the most important things is that it should be away from busy roads.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39Yeah.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Because they're one of the big killers of barn owls so it's important we
0:27:42 > 0:27:44are away from the busy road.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Barn owls are not a woodland bird so you actually want it on a tree by
0:27:47 > 0:27:49itself or on the corner of a woodland.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51On an easy flight path?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Yes, so they need to be able to see the door as well and be able to fly
0:27:54 > 0:27:57straight in and see your door once it's up.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Wait till you see my front door.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01Look at that!
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Perfect, that's great. So you've got a nice clear hole for the owls to
0:28:06 > 0:28:08get in and a nice little ledge as well.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10So when the owlets are learning to fly,
0:28:10 > 0:28:12they can come out and have a look and practise flying.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14I'm really, really pleased with that.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16That is a des res for an owl.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20But for any hot property, it's all about the location, location, location.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24So, is this the tree?
0:28:24 > 0:28:25Yes, this is the spot.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28It's out of the prevailing wind and there's a good field out there so
0:28:28 > 0:28:31there should be lots of prey for them.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Since my owl box is a bit of a beast, we're winching it into position.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36A good job I've got Anya's help.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38This is definitely a two-person job.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46Wonderful! Well, it's up there.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47Now we've just got to secure it.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Anya's advised me to position the box at least three metres from the
0:28:52 > 0:28:55ground to keep it out of reach of predators.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00- It's looking good.- That's done.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02- That is up there.- Excellent!
0:29:04 > 0:29:06There!
0:29:06 > 0:29:08- How's it look?- Looking super.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12There's a nice clear hole so any owls passing should want to go and have a look.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Oh, I'm ever so happy.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18I can't wait for our first resident, I really can't.
0:29:18 > 0:29:19Brilliant.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21There's one last job to do.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25I'm roping in Meredith and Dylan to help me plant up our tree seeds.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30What we have to do is plant these seeds and pot them up,
0:29:30 > 0:29:31and do you know what these will make?
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- Trees.- Yeah, good girl, crab apple trees.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37- Crab apple trees.- Exactly.
0:29:37 > 0:29:38Come on.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40I want you to plant these up,
0:29:40 > 0:29:45because in 20 years' time you can look back and say, we planted those
0:29:45 > 0:29:46up with Daddy.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51Plant your seeds about two centimetres down, give it a good water,
0:29:51 > 0:29:53leave it outside to grow.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55All of us together, push.
0:29:55 > 0:30:00Push. Yeah, that is our family walnut tree.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01Well, fingers crossed it will be.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04In a few years' time I can see some trees.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Well, from tiny trees to massive marrows,
0:30:09 > 0:30:11and here come the results that we've all been waiting for.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13It's D for Decision Day,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16the National Giant Vegetable Competition in Malvern,
0:30:16 > 0:30:19and with all the details, here's Margherita.
0:30:26 > 0:30:31After nine months of nurturing their prize produce, it will all come down
0:30:31 > 0:30:35to the results of the weigh-in for our 79 competitors who've entered their
0:30:35 > 0:30:40vast veg in a colossal 27 different classes.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Just take a look at these.
0:30:44 > 0:30:45I'm all right with this.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Hoping to take the coveted first in class are Ian Neale and Kevin Fortey,
0:30:49 > 0:30:51from south Wales.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Yeah, this is one that we've grown hydroponically.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57- Well done.- And it's their first chance to see how their prodigious produce
0:30:57 > 0:30:59measures up to the competition.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Do you need to name it or label it?
0:31:01 > 0:31:02No, I know my stuff.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08- This is a swede. - That's never natural.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10- Supernatural.- Supernatural, yeah.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12This is the long cucumber class.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15They'll come and measure it after we've all weighed in.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16He's not bad at all, is he?
0:31:18 > 0:31:22- Are you worried about what Kevin is going to bring?- No.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- The moment of truth.- The all-important weigh-in, it's made it here.
0:31:25 > 0:31:26OK, here we go.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30560g.
0:31:30 > 0:31:31Excellent, well done.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33Find a home to display that.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35You carry it so I can't drop it.
0:31:38 > 0:31:39This is an impressive one.
0:31:41 > 0:31:42- That's a watermelon.- Great.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45I couldn't grow them any smaller.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49I'm doing all right.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52When will you know if you've won or not?
0:31:52 > 0:31:55- Tomorrow morning.- And how will you find out?
0:31:55 > 0:31:56There'll be a red card there.
0:31:56 > 0:31:57OK.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01We're here, we made it and, hopefully, we'll get some red cards tomorrow.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10So it's a quick change now, Ian, now all the veg is out.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12Well, this is it. I'm grubby.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16My sister likes me smart.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19We used to have a saying,
0:32:19 > 0:32:22behind a good man there's a good woman, and my sister is the woman.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- So she's keeping you looking smart to win all these awards.- She is.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32- Well...- You've got to look sharp if you're going to go home a winner, haven't you?- You have.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Will there be a special one for the awards day tomorrow?
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Yes, the Snoop Dogg one.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Well, I broke the swede record in 2011 and Snoop Dogg saw it.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45He invited me backstage because he wanted to know how I grew that big
0:32:45 > 0:32:48swede, because he grows some veggie himself.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50I was the oldest rapper there.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54I thought he wanted some weeding doing so I went to meet him.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57But forget rappers,
0:32:57 > 0:33:03I'm off to root out trade secrets from some of giant veggie's superstars.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07It looks like veg grower extraordinaire David Thomas is already set for victory.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11So long as no-one else turns up with a heavier cabbage, I think
0:33:11 > 0:33:13I've broken the world record for red cabbage.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16And there are a couple of other classes which you may get a first in?
0:33:16 > 0:33:19It's been a good year. I've had other good years as well.
0:33:19 > 0:33:25I also hold the record for heavy parsnip and the heaviest cucumber,
0:33:25 > 0:33:28so I've had a couple of other good years.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Does it become a bit of an obsession?
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Yes, I don't know what else you'd call it.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39Once you've grown something large, you want to grow it larger.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43And it's also a record-breaking year for root veg king Joe Atherton.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Tell us which records you've broken today.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50The world's longest radish, the world's longest carrot,
0:33:50 > 0:33:52and the world's longest beetroot.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54But the people are still coming in with entries.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58Are you anxious that someone may beat you yet?
0:33:58 > 0:34:02Yeah, anybody can come in with one, yeah, we've done our job now.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05We've just got to hope nobody else betters it.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09I'm keen to meet the one they all want to beat, Peter Glazebrook.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12I've been hearing your name since I arrived at the show.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Has he arrived yet? Are they here yet?
0:34:14 > 0:34:16You are the team to beat, it seems.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21Well, we keep saying, "Well, not everyone is here yet."
0:34:21 > 0:34:25That's right. I mean, it's not until later this evening before you can
0:34:25 > 0:34:27say what you've won, really.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29You just have to bring your best, don't you?
0:34:29 > 0:34:33- You have to bring your best on the day.- And how will you celebrate a win?
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Oh, another meal tomorrow night,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38but with somewhere where they have pots of tea.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43For all the competitors it's a nail-biting overnight wait to find out
0:34:43 > 0:34:46whose veg has tipped the scales to victory.
0:34:49 > 0:34:54And the next morning they're back, along with 65,000 visitors,
0:34:54 > 0:34:55to find out.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00So after a bit of a restless night, the results are in and I have to admit
0:35:00 > 0:35:03I'm feeling really nervous to see how both Ian and Kevin have done.
0:35:08 > 0:35:09- Morning, Ian.- Morning, Margherita.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11So how's it gone?
0:35:11 > 0:35:13- Three firsts.- Congratulations, yes. - Thank you.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Including the celery.
0:35:16 > 0:35:17Look at that card, fabulous.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20- Yes.- That's Kevin's, isn't it, that's come in second?
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Kevin's about ten kilos behind me.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25So all those modern growing techniques,
0:35:25 > 0:35:27your instinct's working just a little bit better.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29- Yes, yes.- On the celery, at least.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Yes, we got a first behind you, which is the swede.
0:35:32 > 0:35:33Who's come in second?
0:35:33 > 0:35:39- Kevin again.- Congratulations, I'm so chuffed for you, really chuffed, so proud.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43So it looks like Ian's pipped Kevin to the post in one or two categories.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46I hope he's not too downhearted.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Oh, I can see the red card, we got a first.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53We - look at it, I'm in it already, we got a first - YOU got a first.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55Well, it was all your hard work.
0:35:55 > 0:35:56Oh, no!
0:35:57 > 0:36:00Oh, God. I'm so embarrassed.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04It's a UK record, so it was just short of the world record.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08- So how are you feeling?- Really pleased. It's the first time this pepper class has ever been held
0:36:08 > 0:36:12in the UK and we've won the very first show and I think we're going to
0:36:12 > 0:36:16- try hydroponics next year, because this really is the way to go. - A proud dad.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18Do you want to put it back on display?
0:36:18 > 0:36:22You do that safely, in your safe hands.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25And what about that monster radish?
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Another winner.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Kevin, what weight did this come in at the end?
0:36:29 > 0:36:316.9 kilos.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33For a radish.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35- Quite a triumph.- It is, yeah.
0:36:35 > 0:36:36You must be feeling quite pleased.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38I am, it's just like my little baby.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45Kevin is not the only one upholding the Fortey family honour.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47Jamie picked up his first in the sunflower.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51- That was your son.- He is the reigning champion for the last six years.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Third generation who's coming here.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55What do you think your dad would say?
0:36:55 > 0:36:58My dad would be very proud, I had a pint for him last night.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02But it seems that Kevin hasn't lost sight of his Welsh rival.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Ian is the godfather of giant veg.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07It goes to show I'm doing the job properly.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11We're just trying to inspire people to come here next year,
0:37:11 > 0:37:12get their families, their children,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16and just to make giant vegetable growing even more massive.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20The biggest question of all, who came out on top?
0:37:20 > 0:37:22- I think I won.- Are you sure?
0:37:22 > 0:37:23I got more seconds.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25- How many firsts did you get?- Three.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27We got four.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29You didn't, your son got the fourth.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32No, your son got the fourth.
0:37:32 > 0:37:33It's never a tie with Ian.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Am I leaving you on friendly terms?
0:37:36 > 0:37:37Oh, yes, of course you are.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45- Well done, Kev.- Congrats on this year, good luck for next year.
0:37:45 > 0:37:46Thank you.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53Well, it certainly has been an emotional roller-coaster of a couple
0:37:53 > 0:37:57of days and the dedication of these growers is truly inspiring,
0:37:57 > 0:38:01and whether they've been spurred on by a win or they're mourning a loss,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05for all of them it is straight back to their gardens and their
0:38:05 > 0:38:07polytunnels to prepare the ground for next year.
0:38:10 > 0:38:15The Highlands of Scotland are the setting for one of autumn's standout
0:38:15 > 0:38:19events, the annual rutting of red deer stags competing for a mate.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23But such notoriously shy animals can be hard to catch a glimpse of.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27Matt is on the hunt in Perthshire and comes across one of the rarest
0:38:27 > 0:38:29and most magical spectacles in Britain.
0:38:30 > 0:38:35Witnessing these stags showing off their physical prowess as they
0:38:35 > 0:38:38bellow and strut around is a rare, rare treat,
0:38:38 > 0:38:41and fingers crossed if this mist does clear...
0:38:42 > 0:38:46..we're going to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50Donald Riddle has lived and worked amongst these mountains his whole life.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52If anyone knows where the deer are, it's him.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Donald, how are you doing, all right?
0:38:55 > 0:38:56Hi, Matt, not too bad.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58- Good to see you.- And to see you.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00- It's a bit misty, isn't it?- Yes.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02- It is.- It's not ideal deer spotting weather.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04It's not ideal, but it's nice and still,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07so first thing is... What we can do is we can listen for them.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- Yeah.- And then the sun is starting to break through.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13I think this mist will burn off and, you know,
0:39:13 > 0:39:17we actually should have quite a good morning for the stags,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20once we can hear where they are and very soon we'll be able to see them
0:39:20 > 0:39:22again.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24The red deer is the UK's biggest mammal.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28Stags can weigh up to 500 pounds.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31And when autumn comes they pile the weight on ahead of the rut.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33The extra fat they store is vital,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36since they don't eat during the mating season.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40But unless we get out of this mist, we've no chance of seeing them.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44- Look at that.- It's clearing, isn't it?
0:39:44 > 0:39:47It's just absolutely spectacular.
0:39:47 > 0:39:48Oh, wow.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50Well, we've had this burst of sunshine now.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52Look at that pinnacle there.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55We've popped out on top. Oh, this is extraordinary.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59We're going to have to stop here, Donald. Let's just jump out and have a look at this.
0:39:59 > 0:40:00That's beautiful.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05Well, we've just had to get out of the Land Rover and have a look at this,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08because it is purely spectacular, isn't it?
0:40:08 > 0:40:12- It's magical.- We're looking down on the mist and there's something really
0:40:12 > 0:40:13incredible right in front of us.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16Just talk us through. What do you call this?
0:40:16 > 0:40:20This is what we call a brocken spectre and it's very rare.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23You only get it at this sort of time of year, early winter,
0:40:23 > 0:40:27and it's when the sun is projecting our shadow onto the mist.
0:40:27 > 0:40:32- Here we are.- And this wonderful halo of rainbow almost round about us.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34I mean,
0:40:34 > 0:40:37there's only one word - magical, isn't it?
0:40:37 > 0:40:41I've been coming up here for 30, 40 years, and I've never, ever seen this.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44- It's very, very...- This is very special, isn't it?- You're a good luck charm.
0:40:46 > 0:40:47This is tremendous.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50It's one of the rarest glories of autumn...
0:40:51 > 0:40:56..but as fabulous as it is, we've got to press on in search of those elusive red deer.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11Finally, the air clears and we get our first sight.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14These are hinds - female deer.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18There are some young stags too, but no sign of the big ones just yet...
0:41:19 > 0:41:21..but we can hear them.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23STAGS BELLOWING
0:41:23 > 0:41:24Oh, hang on. What was that?
0:41:24 > 0:41:26There's a stag calling over there, isn't there?
0:41:29 > 0:41:32As we know we're getting close, we stalk them on foot.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38- I think there's a bit of something going on over here.- What?- Just as that's lifting underneath.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Yeah, the mist has lifted a bit.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44In fact, there's a stag right in the middle of that peat hag.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- I think they've sensed us, they're on the move.- They're starting to move, aren't they?
0:41:47 > 0:41:50They have. You know, and it just shows.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Look at the distance we are away.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54We're being really quiet and, yet, they've picked us up.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00The roar of the red deer stags is one of the characteristic sounds of
0:42:00 > 0:42:02autumn in the glens.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06Before the rut, their voice box starts to enlarge and they've got this huge
0:42:06 > 0:42:07great thick neck on them,
0:42:07 > 0:42:10and it just means that they can shout much louder.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12And it's just hormones that do that?
0:42:12 > 0:42:16It's just hormones. It's just testosterone, yeah, yeah.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20- That's amazing.- It's amazing, isn't it?
0:42:20 > 0:42:22- Yeah.- It's a bit... Sometimes, you know,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25you could get sort of 30 stags together and it's like a huge great
0:42:25 > 0:42:29cattle market up in the hills, reverberating around.
0:42:29 > 0:42:30It's a wonderful sound.
0:42:39 > 0:42:44Stags and a magical brocken spectre - stirring stuff.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47I'm afraid that's all we've got time for today but please join us again
0:42:47 > 0:42:52tomorrow, when Margherita is on the trail of a furry menace that could be about
0:42:52 > 0:42:54to invade your home.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57They're a nightmare. They got into our water tanks.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01To replace both tanks was about £3,500.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04Keeley will be joining the battle to save our wild salmon.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07These fish, what they go through in a lifetime,
0:43:07 > 0:43:08you've got to respect them.
0:43:08 > 0:43:13And we'll be investigating how our canine companions could be spreading
0:43:13 > 0:43:16a lethal parasite that is deadly to livestock.
0:43:16 > 0:43:17Until tomorrow, then, goodbye.