0:00:03 > 0:00:05There's a change in the air.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07And with it comes the most spectacular,
0:00:07 > 0:00:12the most theatrical seasonal show of all.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Autumn.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19It's a time of fruitfulness, of harvest...
0:00:19 > 0:00:23When our six million acres of woodland come alive with colour.
0:00:24 > 0:00:29It's one of the busiest times of the year across the land.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31And for wildlife,
0:00:31 > 0:00:34it's a chance to stock up before the harsh winter days ahead.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38All this week, we're travelling the length and breadth of Britain,
0:00:38 > 0:00:43unearthing the very best seasonal stories that matter to you.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Ooh, ho-ho! That's a biggie!
0:00:46 > 0:00:50- Yeah! That is our family walnut tree.- Come on!
0:00:50 > 0:00:53This is Countryfile Autumn Diaries.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Here is what we have for you on today's programme.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08Keeley discovers it's not just moths that should beware of bright lights.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Is spending too much time on THIS actually damaging your health?
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Ever dreamt of escaping to the country?
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Jules meets one man who's taken this to the extreme.
0:01:17 > 0:01:18Impressed?
0:01:18 > 0:01:21I am impressed! I'm seriously impressed.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24And I'm with a team of wildlife heroes,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27who rescue some of the nation's favourite animals every single day.
0:01:30 > 0:01:31All this week,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34we've been here in the Kielder Forest in Northumberland.
0:01:34 > 0:01:39Its 250 square miles of woodland and lake make it
0:01:39 > 0:01:41a great place for cycling and walking
0:01:41 > 0:01:45and horse riding and just messing about on the water.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49But a shocking survey reveals that three quarters of children in
0:01:49 > 0:01:54the UK spend less time in the open air than prison inmates.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Margherita's meeting an inspirational head who is
0:01:57 > 0:02:01spearheading a campaign that could change that.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04BELL RINGS
0:02:04 > 0:02:06When I was little, I was lucky.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09I was one of those kids that really loved all their years at school.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14But when that bell went at 3:15, that was the moment I knew I could
0:02:14 > 0:02:18finally get outdoors and play outside, which I adored.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22But for many of today's kids, they're not quite as fortunate.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27On an average day,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31as many as a fifth of British children don't play outside at all.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36And a new report warns that digital technology, lack of green spaces
0:02:36 > 0:02:40and parental fear is leading youngsters to have enclosed lives.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46But here in Christchurch Primary in the heart of London,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49headteacher Colette Morris is trying to change all that.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54So, we're going to go over to the secret garden.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- We're going to harvest our produce. - Good morning, Mrs Morris.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- Am I in time to visit the garden? - Good morning. You are in time.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03- Can you take these?- Oh, OK, I can be of help.- Yes.- That's good.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- You can be of help. - Lead the way.- Let's go!
0:03:08 > 0:03:13In 2010, Colette discovered an overgrown and disused space
0:03:13 > 0:03:17next to Clapham Junction train station and had the brainwave
0:03:17 > 0:03:20of turning it into a garden of plenty for learning.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Are we clear to go, Esther?
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Colette, where did this idea come from?
0:03:25 > 0:03:28We knew that our children don't have enough time outdoors.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Parents work long hours, so children don't get
0:03:31 > 0:03:35opportunities to take their children out as much as they would want to.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40Children live in flats, so their access to outdoors is not as great.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43So, we decided that in order to increase that,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47we'd give opportunities for outdoor learning.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- This is the secret garden.- This is our garden?- This is our garden, isn't it?- Yeah!
0:03:51 > 0:03:53I thought these were garages!
0:03:57 > 0:04:02Oh, my goodness! How big! This is a gigantic classroom.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- It's the best classroom.- Look at all that veg. Look at those tomatoes!
0:04:06 > 0:04:09They're all ready for harvest.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12I won't need to do the shopping later, will I?
0:04:13 > 0:04:16'It's taken six years for the garden to come to fruition.
0:04:16 > 0:04:22'Now the children, who have classes in the garden every week, are harvesting the rewards.'
0:04:24 > 0:04:27You are working fast! Although you might need another basket.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29That is fast filling up.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33'The kids really enjoy these green-fingered classes and are fast
0:04:33 > 0:04:35'becoming little Monty Dons.'
0:04:35 > 0:04:38- You see, that's when you know it's ready.- How?
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Cos the leaves are purple and it's like a bushy hairstyle.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46- Oh, Charlie, what have you got? - Wow!- Wow!- Whoa!
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- A swede!- A GIANT swede, by the looks of it.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53'It's Charlie and the giant NEEP, not peach!
0:04:53 > 0:04:57'And that giant beetroot needs pulling, with a little girl power.'
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- Wow! Whoo! - THEY LAUGH
0:05:02 > 0:05:07- How big is that?- It's giant!
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- It's almost bigger than you. - Is it heavy?- Not really.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- What have you got?- We've got yellow tomatoes that look like these.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- I haven't seen those ones before. - We're selling them.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- So, I might be able to buy these and take them home with me?- Yeah.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26'This project isn't just about using locally grown food.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28'The garden is a teaching aid,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32'where the pupils can apply lessons learned in the classroom.'
0:05:32 > 0:05:36It's wonderful, because, literally, when you set them off to work,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39you stand here, you watch them working in teams, so you've got
0:05:39 > 0:05:42the co-operation, and then they have to think, "Well, if we're going to
0:05:42 > 0:05:46"take this back to class, are we going to weigh it? How much will it weigh?"
0:05:46 > 0:05:49So, there's a lot of learning in everything you're doing.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52And some of the children say that sometimes when they're in class,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55they'll do their learning in class because they know they're
0:05:55 > 0:05:58going to get to come out here.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- So, you're increasing that in-class focus.- Yes.
0:06:00 > 0:06:06'In fact, one study on 2,500 ten-year-olds found those children who had more
0:06:06 > 0:06:10'green space around their school had improved attention and memory.'
0:06:10 > 0:06:13BELL RINGS
0:06:13 > 0:06:16'Back at school, the maths lesson continues.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19'Most of today's harvest will be sold on the school's very own market stall,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23'so everything needs to be weighed and recorded.'
0:06:24 > 0:06:29Ellie, I know you're weighing the beetroot today and I found this one in the garden.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- I would love to know how much it weighs. Can you help me?- Yeah.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38- What does that look like?- 1,600.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Over a kilo! That's quite a weight!
0:06:41 > 0:06:44I wish maths had been this much fun when I was at school!
0:06:44 > 0:06:47BELL RINGS
0:06:47 > 0:06:52A blast from the past for me. Home economics! What are we making?
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- Apple and pear chutney. - Wow, that sounds delicious!
0:06:55 > 0:06:57I don't think I've ever made chutney before.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01What do you think it means to your students that they're actually
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- cooking and eating the food they've grown?- They're proud.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08They're proud to see all that seed that they planted last year.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11They know exactly where it's come from.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16They know the hard work that is required to make sure that it grows.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20And I've noticed that, as well, there's a lot less waste.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- So, there's a deeper respect, almost?- Yeah, definitely a deeper respect.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26'With the exact weight of ingredients calculated,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29'the pupils now have to follow the recipe.'
0:07:30 > 0:07:32They look like they're cooking really nicely.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36'I'm not sure whether I'm a help or a hindrance.'
0:07:36 > 0:07:39When I was in school, I remember my first home-ec lesson.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41At 11, I think we made beans on toast.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44These guys are seven and eight, making chutney!
0:07:44 > 0:07:47How times have changed.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Outside, the pupils have set up the fruit-and-veg market stall,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55to sell the remaining harvest to school parents.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58You can get four apples for a pound.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01And some take it very seriously.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Get your fresh fruit and veg here!
0:08:04 > 0:08:07CHILDREN SHOUT OVER EACH OTHER
0:08:07 > 0:08:11Since the kids started working in the secret garden, the parents
0:08:11 > 0:08:15have seen how it enriches their children's lives and education.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- OK, so there we go, two pounds... - Thank you, 50p.- Thank you.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22We're always hearing about the different ways that they,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24you know, use the garden at school,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27whether it's doing a cooking project or just learning maths.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30When they're selling the goods, they sometimes...like,
0:08:30 > 0:08:32one of them gave me change just now,
0:08:32 > 0:08:36I gave her £5 and she gave me £3.50, so...which is good.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38One of the most important things
0:08:38 > 0:08:42is that a lot of the children come from...an estate.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Being in a flat with no garden is very sterile.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49Having the garden over there, the secret garden, is just so amazing.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54'Before all this wonderful produce is sold, I'd better buy something!'
0:08:55 > 0:08:59Ellie, can I have the big beetroot before it goes? How much is it?
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- One pound!- One pound, great, thank you.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09I have been blown away by just how effective the garden's been,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12in not only engaging the children in where their food comes from
0:09:12 > 0:09:15but in subjects like home economics and maths.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17It is astounding, the dedication of the teachers here
0:09:17 > 0:09:20and what they're doing with the pupils and their learning.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Right, off to make some chutney!
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Well, I hope she saves me some! I love chutney.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Now, on Sunday, just in case you've forgotten, the clocks go back.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36And it's going to get darker much earlier.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40But have you ever experienced a truly dark sky?
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Well, Keeley is here in Kielder, going stargazing.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49The night sky.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53One of the most awe-inspiring features of our countryside.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57On a clear night, you can see more than 3,000 stars.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01But how many of us actually get to enjoy them?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03In today's 24/7 world,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07the artificial light from nine million street lamps and 27 million
0:10:07 > 0:10:11British homes and offices means that two thirds of the country
0:10:11 > 0:10:14never gets completely dark.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15Yet here in Northumberland,
0:10:15 > 0:10:19we have the largest expanse of dark night sky in the whole of Europe.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25For astronomer Gary Fildes, it's the perfect place to work.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Wow. That's about all I can think to say right now.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- This is absolutely stunning, isn't it?- Yes.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33I don't think I've ever been somewhere where there's
0:10:33 > 0:10:36so many stars that you can see so clearly.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38On a night like tonight, when you look out and see
0:10:38 > 0:10:42so many stars overhead, it's just a wonderful experience, isn't it?
0:10:42 > 0:10:47'Unlike most of the UK, Kielder has virtually no light pollution.'
0:10:47 > 0:10:50These skies are pristinely dark and it's due to the fact that
0:10:50 > 0:10:53we don't have any streetlights or any external lights at all for
0:10:53 > 0:10:58that matter. We clearly do tonight, as you can see, but generally speaking,
0:10:58 > 0:11:00we don't have any light pollution at all.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04'100 years ago, pretty much everyone would have been able to view
0:11:04 > 0:11:05'the Milky Way with the naked eye.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09'Now, three quarters of us will never see it.'
0:11:09 > 0:11:13It must break your heart to think that people, not even too far
0:11:13 > 0:11:16away from here, don't ever get to see this because of light pollution.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Yeah, people forever have looked at the night-time sky and
0:11:18 > 0:11:21thought how special it is.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27The view here is absolutely spectacular.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30And it actually makes me feel quite emotional.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33I grew up rurally and we used to stargaze with my grandma and
0:11:33 > 0:11:37pick out the stars and planets and constellations.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40And it makes me feel really sad to think that my children might
0:11:40 > 0:11:42not be able to do that.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48But it isn't just that we're not able to see the stars.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Recent research by Newcastle University has shown that
0:11:52 > 0:11:57light at night is actually having a knock-on effect to animal behaviour.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Biologist Callum MacGregor is looking at the impacts of modern
0:12:00 > 0:12:03lighting on our moth species.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- Hi, there, Callum, how you doing? - Hello, good, thanks.- Good to see you.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- I hope the moths aren't put off by cold, wet weather!- Ha-ha!
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- Quite possibly. But we soldier on. - We've chosen a good evening, then!
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Just explain to me exactly what you've got set up here. There's three lights.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Yes, so we've just got a very simple set-up.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Three lights of different sort of colour spectra.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28The idea is to attract moths and see if we get different numbers of moths to the different colours of light.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31So, why are you so interested in the relationship between light and moths?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Well, we've known for centuries, really,
0:12:33 > 0:12:37since long before electrical light was around, that moths are
0:12:37 > 0:12:39attracted to artificial sources of light.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Normally, they might be flying around at low level looking
0:12:42 > 0:12:46for plants to drink nectar from, flowers, and to lay their eggs on.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49And what we showed is that around streetlights,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52they spend more time flying up high at around the level of
0:12:52 > 0:12:55the streetlight and less time flying sort of down low.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00And this may have contributed to a worrying fall in moth numbers.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02The UK's 2,500 species of moth
0:13:02 > 0:13:07have declined by more than a quarter since the 1960s.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09That's not just bad for the moths,
0:13:09 > 0:13:13it could have a knock-on effect on our whole wildlife ecosystem.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17So, if we took moths out, maybe the birds would have less to feed on
0:13:17 > 0:13:19and our birds start to decline as a result.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Maybe the bats, again, could start to decline as a result.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Maybe some of those plants that rely on moths for pollination...
0:13:26 > 0:13:30More worryingly, the current switch-over to more energy-efficient
0:13:30 > 0:13:33lighting could make the situation even worse.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36This is basically the same technology as most of
0:13:36 > 0:13:39the street lighting in the UK for several decades now.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43It's a high-pressure sodium bulb, and as you can see, it looks very yellow.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Now, at the moment, we're starting to switch to LED technology.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48And the important thing to understand about that is that
0:13:48 > 0:13:51LED lights have a much higher proportion of blue in their output.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55They look white to us but actually the majority of the light
0:13:55 > 0:13:59they put out is at a wavelength that is blue light, essentially.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Why does it matter if they go from this light to this light?
0:14:02 > 0:14:04We know from several studies that moths seem to be
0:14:04 > 0:14:08most strongly attracted to light that is blue.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Local councils across the UK are converting streetlights to
0:14:12 > 0:14:16blue-light LEDs. That's potentially bad news for moths.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22But it's not only street lamps that omit this potentially damaging
0:14:22 > 0:14:25blue light. Our smartphones and tablets are culprits too.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28So, what about the effect on us?
0:14:28 > 0:14:3590% of UK adults now own smartphones and our use is reaching epic proportions.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Professor Debra Skene from the University of Surrey is
0:14:38 > 0:14:43undertaking research into the effect of the blue light they omit on our bodies.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46So, why is light so important to us?
0:14:46 > 0:14:50Well, we know it affects our body and body functions, and that could be daylight,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53like what we have here, or it could be indoors,
0:14:53 > 0:14:55so, artificial indoor lighting.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57So, in what way does it affect our bodies?
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Well, it does a lot of things.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02It can make us feel more alert, if we have a lot of light.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04It also suppresses some of our hormones.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09It also affects our heart rate, body temperature...
0:15:09 > 0:15:12So, a lot of different functions that it can have.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15So we need that light every day to bring ourselves back and to
0:15:15 > 0:15:19synchronise ourselves to a 24-hour clock.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22So, what does too much blue light do to us?
0:15:22 > 0:15:25In Professor Skene's research, human subjects are monitored
0:15:25 > 0:15:29while they take a prolonged look inside a coloured sphere.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Today, I'm looking through one that's coloured blue.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35So, if you rest your chin on the chin rest,
0:15:35 > 0:15:40what we usually ask people is to look at the central point at the back.
0:15:40 > 0:15:41And at that point,
0:15:41 > 0:15:46we will be taking blood samples from you every 15 minutes.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50We ask you how alert you feel, how sleepy you feel.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53And if we were to connect you up to a brain scanner,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57we should also be able to see the areas of the brain that would
0:15:57 > 0:16:00light up by being exposed to this light.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04This and other research suggests that blue light tricks the brain
0:16:04 > 0:16:07into thinking it's daylight, making it harder to sleep.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Prolonged exposure could lead to a drop in melatonin,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14which regulates our sleep patterns, and could increase the risk
0:16:14 > 0:16:17of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19So, you prove, by using this sphere,
0:16:19 > 0:16:21that blue light does make us more alert.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- It's that part of the spectrum. - That's correct, yes. For humans.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28And it's also now being shown in animals.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32And so, what it means now is that this work probably has
0:16:32 > 0:16:35implications for all the lighting devices that people are using.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42The impact of light pollution is affecting not just our
0:16:42 > 0:16:45chances of seeing the solar system in all its glory, but our
0:16:45 > 0:16:47plants and wildlife too.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51And with increasing amounts of blue light from our smartphones and
0:16:51 > 0:16:53tablets affecting our sleep patterns,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56there's knock-on effects for our health as well.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58So, maybe we should all be doing a bit more of this.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01SHE SNAPS FINGERS
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Although we all love autumn,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15it can be a particularly perilous time for our wildlife.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17In England and Wales alone,
0:17:17 > 0:17:21the task of looking after injured creatures falls to
0:17:21 > 0:17:26a network of more than 700 centres, mostly staffed by volunteers.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31So, have you ever wanted to do your bit to help sick or abandoned animals?
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Well, here's Paul to tell you how.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46Most mornings sees me checking up on our newest additions to the family.
0:17:46 > 0:17:4819 quail.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51We got these girls in the early part of the summer and so far, so good.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53They're laying eggs every day and they have been
0:17:53 > 0:17:55a dream to look after, they really have.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58And we also know a super local vet, who's on hand in case
0:17:58 > 0:18:00anything does go wrong.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Now, this time of the year, on a smallholding like this,
0:18:03 > 0:18:05there's a lot of wildlife out there.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09There's bound to be one or two casualties. So, how do you deal with that?
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Our wildlife centres respond to half a million casualties a year.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18And with experienced round-the-clock care, the dedicated staff and
0:18:18 > 0:18:23volunteers aim to release as many of them as possible back to the wild.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26I'm on my way to Secret World Rescue Centre,
0:18:26 > 0:18:30which takes in over 5,000 injured wild animals each year.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Now, they're on the lookout for adoption sites where they can
0:18:34 > 0:18:36release rehabilitated animals.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40So, I'm hoping to do my bit by signing up our smallholding.
0:18:41 > 0:18:46But first I need to find out what kind of animals might be looking for a good home.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Trudi Howell has been volunteering here for the last ten years.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53And she's got a particularly prickly customer for me to meet.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59I think he is adorable. So, what's wrong with him?
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Well, this is an orphan. He's going to be about three weeks old.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- His eyes have opened in the last few days.- Aw...
0:19:04 > 0:19:07And for some reason, he's been separated from his mum
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- and the rest of his siblings.- Aw...
0:19:09 > 0:19:12How long will he be here for?
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- Well, this little one's called Fig and he...- Fig!
0:19:14 > 0:19:16HE LAUGHS
0:19:16 > 0:19:19And he will be here probably until he's about nine or ten weeks old.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- Right.- Depending on the weather conditions, really,
0:19:22 > 0:19:25if it gets too late into the autumn and he's not large enough to make it
0:19:25 > 0:19:28through the winter, put on enough weight for hibernation,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- then we'll hold on to him.- You'll keep feeding him up.- That's right. - And then release.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- When he's ready.- I'd love to give him a home. Do you know that?
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- I really would. He's so cute! - He's adorable.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- And I guess you see many hedgehogs this time of year?- We do.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43We get about 600 hedgehogs in, and typically, this time of year,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45we're starting to get autumn juveniles,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- which are the ones born late in the year.- Sure. Yeah, yeah.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50What do you call this room here on site?
0:19:50 > 0:19:52This is called our orphan creche.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Volunteers and staff that are working on site bring the animals
0:19:55 > 0:19:58they're caring for at home into the centre.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00It's a safe, quiet place.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- So, when you go home tonight, you take him home.- Yes, that's right.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- You've got a very understanding husband, haven't you?- Very!
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- You've had loads of animals, haven't you?- Yes, I have, loads.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13This year alone, I've reared two fox cubs, two sparrowhawks,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16two kestrels, and three barn owlets,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18almost ready for release now.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20I'm very excited about that.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25'The centre take in everything from birds of prey...'
0:20:25 > 0:20:28What a beautiful, beautiful bird.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30We get all sorts of injuries with these guys.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32'..to fancier fowl...'
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- TURKEY CLUCKS - He lives here with his ladies.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37He's a lucky turkey, isn't he?
0:20:37 > 0:20:41'..foxes, deer, and even the odd emu.'
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Are there any animals that you would come across that are
0:20:44 > 0:20:47on the ground, looking vulnerable, that you should leave there?
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Yes, there are, actually.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51A few spring to mind.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52One of them is fawns,
0:20:52 > 0:20:55you may find a fawn in a field.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57The mother will have left the fawn there
0:20:57 > 0:20:59while she's gone out foraging herself -
0:20:59 > 0:21:01very much hands-off in that case.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03And the other thing are tawny owlets -
0:21:03 > 0:21:06very often they'll come out of the nest hole before they can fly,
0:21:06 > 0:21:07they flutter down...
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- And they drop off? - That's right, and...
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- And they're stuck at the bottom and Mum's up there watching.- Yes.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- But you don't know that... - No, that's right.
0:21:14 > 0:21:15..so leave them alone.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18'Birds will often be released close to where they were found,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20'as many species are territorial,
0:21:20 > 0:21:24'but rescue centres like this are on the lookout for new locations
0:21:24 > 0:21:28'to offer a safe starting point for young and orphaned wildlife.'
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Do you get a tear in the eye when it comes to the release?
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- Do you sort of...?- Erm... - It's a happy moment but...?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35It is very happy and I get so excited.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37The nearer it gets to the release, the more excited I am,
0:21:37 > 0:21:38because I know my job's almost done.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- And you know they're ready for it. - Yes, definitely.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43- You know they can take care of themselves in the wild.- Yes, yeah.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46'Fig the hedgehog's totally won my heart.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51'I really hope our home has what it takes to make a good adoption site.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54'Katia Whitfield from my local wildlife centre, Oak & Furrows,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57'has come to assess it.'
0:21:57 > 0:21:59I'm seeing you've already found the garden. What do you think?
0:21:59 > 0:22:01I think it's perfect.
0:22:01 > 0:22:02Could I rescue owls?
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Could I rehabilitate some here?
0:22:04 > 0:22:06You could certainly have a release site for
0:22:06 > 0:22:08young owls that need somewhere to go.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10We could put some nest boxes up on the bigger trees.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- Cos I'm looking, and they're big trees, aren't they?- Perfect, yes.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14And there's a lot of cover.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Yes, and they need a lot of different open countryside to hunt.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22'We're lucky to be in the countryside with space around us,
0:22:22 > 0:22:26'but even a small city garden could be the perfect release site
0:22:26 > 0:22:27'for hedgehogs or small birds...'
0:22:27 > 0:22:31There's lots and lots of yew trees here, so there's lots of berries -
0:22:31 > 0:22:32bright red berries.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34That'd be great for thrushes and different birds.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- Which is winter fuel, isn't it, for lots of birds?- Yes. Yes, it is.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40'..and Katia thinks our meadow could be a good starting point
0:22:40 > 0:22:41'for fox cubs.'
0:22:41 > 0:22:44You've got the wooded area over there to have a den in,
0:22:44 > 0:22:46and out here, lots of things to eat.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50I'd like that. Do you know that? Now that you've checked the site out, cos it's important,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- you have to check sites out... - It would be perfect.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54..to make sure it is the right habitat. I would love some.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56I'm going to take you up on that offer next year.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58That would be fantastic for us, too.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01'Hopefully it won't be too long until we can
0:23:01 > 0:23:03'welcome some new arrivals.
0:23:03 > 0:23:04'In the meantime,
0:23:04 > 0:23:08'I've been invited along to the release of one satisfied customer.'
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Already we've been spotted.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14- Yeah, yeah. - PAUL LAUGHS
0:23:14 > 0:23:17I gather, Vicky, the swan was found not far from here,
0:23:17 > 0:23:21so, do you think it probably came from the site in the first place?
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Yes, that's why it's coming back here.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28We always try to find a release site that is close to the capture site.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Yeah, yeah.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33'The rescue team deal with around 90 swans a year.'
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Well, this is going to be a special moment.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42'Swans can be very territorial, so let's hope our lady's accepted.'
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Oh, look.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50I think that's a good sign.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53I think that's a really good sign.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55'Looks like she's home and dry.'
0:23:55 > 0:23:57That's lovely to see.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59That's the rewarding part of the job, isn't it?
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- Oh, absolutely. It's the best. - It really is.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Being a release site is quite a commitment,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08but selecting the right area for every animal is key.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10The more options they have, the better.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14So, if you think you've got a good site, get in touch with your local
0:24:14 > 0:24:18animal rescue centre to find out if you can be a help in the future.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30Although Kielder Forest feels as though it's been here forever,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33it was in fact first planted in the 1920s.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35It's England's biggest man-made forest.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Kielder may be relatively young in woodland terms,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45but to find some of the UK's oldest trees, we need to head to Devon.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Anita's in Totnes,
0:24:47 > 0:24:51meeting a man who uses ancient wood in incredible ways.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Here in this rather magical spot,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56hardly anything has changed for centuries,
0:24:56 > 0:24:58from the ruins of Berry Pomeroy Castle,
0:24:58 > 0:25:03to the trees that hold it up and the ancient waters that surround it,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06so it's the perfect spot to meet a sculptor who takes
0:25:06 > 0:25:10inspiration from the old to create something very new.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Alarik Greenland is a local sculptor -
0:25:17 > 0:25:19his muse, trees.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25He painstakingly twists wires and jewels together to create
0:25:25 > 0:25:29perfect replicas, each leaf a semiprecious stone.
0:25:34 > 0:25:35These aren't just any trees.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39They're ancient trees from his childhood surroundings.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45Alarik, you can see that this is a very special spot.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47It is, yeah. It's very special to me.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Everywhere I go around here, it stirs up memories for me,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53just because I've been here my whole life.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56What is it about the trees in particular?
0:25:56 > 0:26:00It's the sense that they have been here for so long,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03and that they've been touched by people that I've never known.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13The ruined castle offers fantastic views of the woodland below -
0:26:13 > 0:26:16a perfect spot for a lesson in tree sculpture.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Wow. How many hours did it take you to make this?
0:26:21 > 0:26:26Well, altogether, it can take about four to five weeks to make a tree.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27I can't promise you four weeks of my life,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30- but I certainly fancy having a go. Shall we?- Yeah.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35This is gold-plated copper wire.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Right, so don't mess up, Anita, cos it's expensive.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39- Yes! - ANITA LAUGHS
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- Pinch the two bits of wires... - Mm-hm.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46..and then make up three to four twists.
0:26:46 > 0:26:52- OK.- And how many beads would one tree have on it?- One tree?- Yeah.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56The latest one that I've got is 10,000...over 10,000 stones.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58- 10,000 stones?!- Yeah, yeah.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00I don't know about this, though.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02I might have just wasted a bit of gold.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04LAUGHTER
0:27:07 > 0:27:11This is an incredibly intricate work of art,
0:27:11 > 0:27:17but the piece of wood it sits on has a fascinating life of its own, too.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Alarik salvages the centuries-old pieces of wood from
0:27:20 > 0:27:22the depths of the River Dart.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26I'm keen to find a piece, and Alarik knows just what to look for.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Sometimes it can be too rotten, not bogged enough,
0:27:31 > 0:27:32so it's just sort of quite new,
0:27:32 > 0:27:34and another thing, it's not the right shape.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37We've got to really look carefully. We've got to look for a really nice piece.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39- But, first things first, we've got to get me in the water.- Yes.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- How would you plan on doing that, then, Alarik?- Running!
0:27:42 > 0:27:44MUSIC: Kids by MGMT
0:27:44 > 0:27:47'The sun's shining and I'm all out of excuses -
0:27:47 > 0:27:49'time for an underwater forage.'
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Go for it!
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Whoa!
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Rrr!
0:27:55 > 0:27:56Whoo!
0:27:56 > 0:27:58It's freezing!
0:27:59 > 0:28:01OK, let's swim.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07On three. One, two, three...
0:28:10 > 0:28:13I can't see anything. It's just black.
0:28:13 > 0:28:14Where's he gone?
0:28:17 > 0:28:20- Have you found something?- I think I might have found something.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Hey! Hey.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33Now, that...
0:28:33 > 0:28:34- God.- So, that is lush.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- Oh, look at that.- That's brilliant. - Are you happy with that?
0:28:37 > 0:28:40- My mind's ticking over already about how I can use it.- Oh.
0:28:40 > 0:28:41That's wonderful.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44So, in a few months' time, this could look like that.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46- It could well be, yes.- Wow.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49- I feel like we've done a good day's work today.- Yeah, we have.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51- Well done.- Thank you.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53- Shall we get back in?- Yeah!
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Alarik's beautiful sculptures, combined with the dead wood from
0:28:58 > 0:29:03the river, are giving Devon's ancient trees an artistic afterlife.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11It's part of the British psyche, isn't it,
0:29:11 > 0:29:13the yearning to escape to the country?
0:29:13 > 0:29:17Well, Jules is in Hereford, meeting someone who's taken this
0:29:17 > 0:29:20much further than most of us would ever dare.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Now, have you ever dreamt of escaping the rat race,
0:29:28 > 0:29:31and quite literally building a new life for yourself in the countryside
0:29:31 > 0:29:36off-grid, and saving yourself a lot of cash in the process?
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Well, one man has done just that.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43'20 years ago, a man called Sherwood - no, really -
0:29:43 > 0:29:47'left the corporate world behind and bought this 40-acre forest
0:29:47 > 0:29:49'in Herefordshire.'
0:29:49 > 0:29:50Hi, Sherwood. How are you?
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- Nice to see you again, Jules. I'm very well.- How about it?
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Who would have thought, four and a half years later,
0:29:55 > 0:29:59- I'd be back to see your wood? - I never thought I'd see you again.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02'Sherwood's swapped conventional life for an old bus without any
0:30:02 > 0:30:05'running water or electricity.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08'I met up with him on Countryfile nearly five years ago,
0:30:08 > 0:30:13'when his grand plan was to build a home sourced from his own woodland.'
0:30:13 > 0:30:15You're joking. What's this?
0:30:17 > 0:30:22A workshop, with a small space at the end for accommodation.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25This is the kind of thing I've always dreamt of.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29This clearing that I've created, all of the timber that came from here
0:30:29 > 0:30:31is all going to go back in the house.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34I absolutely salute your ambition for this.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37- I love it.- Thanks very much. - I absolutely love it.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39'In going off-grid,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42'Sherwood's ambition was to build self-sufficiently,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45'using the natural resources immediately available to him,
0:30:45 > 0:30:49'and he was determined not to be ruled by deadlines.
0:30:49 > 0:30:50'Walking down the same path,
0:30:50 > 0:30:54'I'm excited and a little nervous to see how it looks now.'
0:30:54 > 0:30:55Oh, wow.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57- I love it. I absolutely love it. - LAUGHTER
0:30:57 > 0:31:00- Are you impressed?- I am impressed.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02I'm seriously impressed.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05- It was just a pole frame.- It was.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07I mean, you've put the meat on it, haven't you?
0:31:07 > 0:31:10I mean, it's really taking shape. I can see what the vision is.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12It's a lot more substantial now, isn't it?
0:31:12 > 0:31:15When you came and saw it before, it was so far away.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19I have to confess, I did have my doubts when I left you last time
0:31:19 > 0:31:21as to how you would get on, but it's definitely taking shape.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25I mean, the only thing I would say, you know, in the parlance,
0:31:25 > 0:31:26it's, erm, quite airy.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28At the moment. Walls are to come.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Walls are the last thing, funnily enough.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32It looks like there's a bit of activity going on
0:31:32 > 0:31:34up there on the roof.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39There is. That's Elaine, just finishing off the last few shingles.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42'Instead of using expensive British slate, which isn't local,
0:31:42 > 0:31:47'or ceramic roof tiles, Sherwood and his partner Elaine are using
0:31:47 > 0:31:51'wooden shingles they've sourced from woodland just down the road.'
0:31:54 > 0:31:56- Hi, Elaine.- Hello, Jules. - How are you?
0:31:56 > 0:31:58- I'm fine, thanks. - Very nice to meet you.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00So, how many of these have you put up there?
0:32:00 > 0:32:04Oh, in total, probably 13 to 14 thousand.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- 13 to 14 thousand?- At least that, yeah.- Well done, you.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10I mean, I looked at trying to buy some of these not that long ago,
0:32:10 > 0:32:14and I think they were at least £1 each, so 14,000 of these,
0:32:14 > 0:32:17you've saved yourselves about 14 grand.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21'That's a huge amount of money, but sometimes when you do DIY,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24'you end up paying in man-hours.'
0:32:24 > 0:32:26If you actually calculated the amount of time
0:32:26 > 0:32:28that we've spent doing it,
0:32:28 > 0:32:30I mean, everyone would think that we were crazy.
0:32:30 > 0:32:31But you talk about hours...
0:32:31 > 0:32:33I mean, every single component,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36you're having to source from the wood,
0:32:36 > 0:32:41- chop it down, mill it, cut it up, design it...- Mm-hm.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43- ..and then fix it. - JULES LAUGHS
0:32:43 > 0:32:46Absolutely. I mean, even the roof brackets, we've cut those ourselves.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48They weren't... They didn't arrive on the back of a lorry.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51You see, I'd have made a phone call and just had those delivered,
0:32:51 > 0:32:54but you are the ultimate couple of purists, aren't you?
0:32:54 > 0:32:58That must have been three days' work, just preparing those, alone.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00'But they haven't always been alone.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03'In the beginning, Sherwood exchanged his woodworking skills
0:33:03 > 0:33:06'with a group of enthusiastic volunteers.'
0:33:06 > 0:33:09- And what are you making, Jo? - I'm making a teaspoon.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- Can I have a look?- So many visitors, I thought that we needed some more.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14- Wonderful. That's terrific. - SHE LAUGHS
0:33:14 > 0:33:16So, absolutely nothing goes to waste, does it?
0:33:16 > 0:33:20'If you're interested in learning more about how to live off-grid,
0:33:20 > 0:33:23'there are a network of hosts across the UK who can teach you
0:33:23 > 0:33:25'in return for helping them out.'
0:33:25 > 0:33:29I mean, you've clearly won the battle in terms of sustainable
0:33:29 > 0:33:33materials, but how are you going to heat this house and power it?
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Have you thought about some off-grid solutions to that?
0:33:36 > 0:33:40Yes. We're surrounded by an endless supply of firewood,
0:33:40 > 0:33:43and we're going to have several wood burners in there.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Power-wise, we've got a solar system,
0:33:46 > 0:33:50and we'll be using solar panels to charge batteries,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53- and then low-wattage lighting.- Yeah.
0:33:53 > 0:33:57As far as water goes, we're blessed with a spring up in the woods.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59- Nice! Not everybody has that. - No. Spring...
0:33:59 > 0:34:00I mean, that is living the dream, isn't it?
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Spring water on tap? I'll say it is.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07'More than 500,000 homes in the UK have solar panels,
0:34:07 > 0:34:11'generating enough power for domestic appliances and lighting,
0:34:11 > 0:34:14'selling any surplus back to the grid.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16'To maximise his insulation,
0:34:16 > 0:34:20'Sherwood's turning to sheep power, specifically their fleece.'
0:34:21 > 0:34:23We've already used it to great effect.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25Where have you used it?
0:34:25 > 0:34:27In our bathroom, we've put it round the hot-water tank,
0:34:27 > 0:34:29and it is quite impressive stuff.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32- And super efficient. - Absolutely, yeah.- Yeah.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34If we heat a tank of water in the evening, by the next evening,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37it can still be really hot - hot enough for a bath.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40'To insulate the walls once they're built, Sherwood's turning to
0:34:40 > 0:34:44'environmentally friendly and cheap straw bales.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47'They can be twice as effective as conventional installation,
0:34:47 > 0:34:52'and can last more than 100 years if properly maintained.'
0:34:52 > 0:34:55- So, you then build that up... - Build that up.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58You won't see that from the outside, but then, from the inside,
0:34:58 > 0:35:00- you'll see all that lovely framing.- That's right,
0:35:00 > 0:35:03- and then we'll put clay on the inside of the straw walls.- Yeah.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06Then there'll be the waney-edge timber cladding on the outside.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08I mean, some people looking at that might think,
0:35:08 > 0:35:09"It's just going to rot.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11"The rats'll get in there or the mice'll get in there."
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- But it does work?- It's really key to keep it dry.- Yeah.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17I mean, if you let it get wet, then you'll get a problem with it,
0:35:17 > 0:35:18so, whilst we're in the process of building,
0:35:18 > 0:35:20we've got to make sure that we keep it in the dry.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23Well, talking about it's not going to get it finished, is it?
0:35:23 > 0:35:25So we'd better move that bale and do the rest of it.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28- Get another measurement. - Right. Very good.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32'It's taken Sherwood five years to get to this stage -
0:35:32 > 0:35:34'clearly he's not a man to be rushed -
0:35:34 > 0:35:37'and they're still living in the converted bus.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46'Off-grid living isn't everyone's cup of tea,
0:35:46 > 0:35:48'but it's obviously possible.'
0:35:49 > 0:35:51I've loved the off-grid lifestyle,
0:35:51 > 0:35:53and I've had a very conventional life,
0:35:53 > 0:35:56so, as long as you're prepared for, you know,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59being cold, yeah, now and again, and the hardships of it...
0:35:59 > 0:36:03There is clearly still some work to do.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06If I said to you, if I come back in another five years,
0:36:06 > 0:36:07will it be finished?
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Unless something awful happens.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11- Unless we break a leg or something disastrous.- Yeah.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15Well, guys, I'm in awe of what you have achieved.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18I just can't wait for the day when I hear that you've finally finished it.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22- Thank you very much for that. - Oh, absolute pleasure. Cheers, guys.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Cheers. We'll look forward to seeing you in five years' time.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35Now, Bonfire Night is almost upon us, and who doesn't love a firework?
0:36:35 > 0:36:38But it can be a trying time for our animals, and there's
0:36:38 > 0:36:42a certain seasonal bird that also gets a bit jumpy around now,
0:36:42 > 0:36:44as Adam's finding out.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47I'm heading to a turkey farm where, believe it or not,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50during the autumn they have their turkeys in training
0:36:50 > 0:36:51for Fireworks Night.
0:36:51 > 0:36:52Sounds bizarre, doesn't it?
0:36:52 > 0:36:56Well, that's the reason I couldn't resist the opportunity to pay them a visit.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58TURKEYS GOBBLE
0:36:58 > 0:37:00'This was a time of year that farmer Tom Copas
0:37:00 > 0:37:03'and his 38,000 turkeys dreaded,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06'but now he's found a solution that will help every turkey on
0:37:06 > 0:37:10'Copas Farm overcome their fear of fireworks.'
0:37:10 > 0:37:13- All right, Tom?- Howdy, Adam. How are you doing? Are you all right?
0:37:13 > 0:37:15- What a lovely sight. - Yeah. Thank you very much.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17- They're very talkative, aren't they? - They are very vocal, yeah.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20- You can actually talk to them, you know?- Go on, then.
0:37:20 > 0:37:21HE IMITATES A TURKEY
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- TURKEYS GOBBLE LOUDLY - Dr Doolittle with his turkeys!
0:37:24 > 0:37:25Oh, absolutely, yeah. Yeah.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29If you're really stuck on a decision to make, you can always ask the turkeys' opinion.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31It's pretty consistent, but, you know, yeah.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33And how long have you kept turkeys on the farm here?
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Since 1957, so 50 years now. Yeah.
0:37:35 > 0:37:36- And most of them outdoors?- Yes.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39Yes, I used to send them all outdoors, sort of free-range.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41We have some barn-reared.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43And then these lovely covers for them to get under.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46- It's great.- Yeah.- I've seen them pecking away under the sunflowers.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48Yeah, it's just quite a nice entertaining environment for
0:37:48 > 0:37:51the turkeys to run around in, forage in, just to be turkeys,
0:37:51 > 0:37:53gobble about and enjoy themselves.
0:37:53 > 0:37:54They're certainly very inquisitive.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57- I'm getting pecked on the leg by one right now.- They'll do that. Yeah.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00They want to have a good look at you and see what you're made of, you know? Yeah.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04So, during the autumn months, you're building up for a big event. Tell me about that.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Yeah, well, as you know, 5 November is Fireworks Night.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09The fireworks, the big bangs, the loud crashes
0:38:09 > 0:38:11really can spook and upset our birds.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14- So, when they panic, they can hurt each other, can they?- Yeah.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Let me see if I can get one and show you.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19TURKEY SQUEAKS
0:38:19 > 0:38:21There we go. So you'll see...
0:38:21 > 0:38:23- See that on there? - They're really sharp, aren't they?
0:38:23 > 0:38:25- Yeah.- So they can seriously damage each other?
0:38:25 > 0:38:28You can imagine what damage that would do behind a 7kg turkey on a little 5kg turkey.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30It would rip them to shreds, the poor little guys.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33So, horrible for the birds, but not very good on the Christmas table either.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Absolutely. No-one wants that on their Christmas dinner.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38- It's the most important meal of the year.- Of course it is.- Yeah!
0:38:38 > 0:38:41- I'll let you put that one down. - Yeah.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43So, to prevent this, we have fireworks training,
0:38:43 > 0:38:45so this means that we actually, literally,
0:38:45 > 0:38:47start out in the daytime, getting the birds used to letting
0:38:47 > 0:38:50bangers off, letting fireworks off, getting them used to the bang,
0:38:50 > 0:38:52get them accustomed to it and get it into the evening.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55And then the birds just get used to the bangs and the flashes?
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01'Up to 25% of the stock can end up damaged after Fireworks Night,
0:39:01 > 0:39:03'so the training really is essential for their welfare.'
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- So, are you letting off any today? - We are, yeah. Do you want to have a go?
0:39:06 > 0:39:09Yeah, I would. Yeah. I like a few fireworks.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14'Tom and his team have been doing this for the past 15 years,
0:39:14 > 0:39:16'and their training starts in the daytime,
0:39:16 > 0:39:21'so we position ourselves a safe distance away, in the next field.'
0:39:21 > 0:39:23So, we're just going to let off a few of these little poppers.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26- All right. Let's see how you go. I'll stand back.- Yeah.
0:39:31 > 0:39:32FIREWORKS BANG AND WHISTLE
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Yeah, so you see how they're moving across?
0:39:35 > 0:39:36- Yeah, so they run away a bit.- Yeah.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38- They've all gone quiet, haven't they?- Yeah, yeah.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40There's a big one. Yeah.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42FIREWORKS BANG
0:39:42 > 0:39:45So, what happens now dusk is approaching?
0:39:45 > 0:39:48Well, the ones out in the polytunnels that we've seen out here,
0:39:48 > 0:39:50they'll be staying out all night just as they are,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53whereas the ones in the permanent housing, they're going to be...
0:39:53 > 0:39:55They will come in for the night.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00'As the sun starts to set,
0:40:00 > 0:40:03'the birds will naturally head for the cover of the barns.
0:40:03 > 0:40:08'It's just a waiting game, until, eventually, darkness.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10'At night, the birds are at more risk,
0:40:10 > 0:40:14'as being inside means they've got less space if they start to panic,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17'making it more likely they'll injure each other.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20'So, phase two, the night-time fireworks training,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23'is essential to make sure that, come 5 November,
0:40:23 > 0:40:25'they'll all stay calm in their barn.'
0:40:25 > 0:40:27All right, Tom, it's pretty dark now, isn't it?
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Yeah, it's a bit tricky. Have you got any light over there?
0:40:30 > 0:40:32Yeah, we'll get this light sorted.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34- Oh, there we go. Is that better? - Yeah, much better. Thanks.
0:40:34 > 0:40:35Right, so what's the plan?
0:40:35 > 0:40:37All right, so, Steve, our manager, is in the sheds.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40He's ready there for when we set off the firework
0:40:40 > 0:40:43to calm the birds down and make sure, you know, it all goes swimmingly.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- OK.- So, if you want to do the honours?- All right.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47- Give it a light and we'll get out of the way.- OK.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49- Are you ready, Steve?! - Yeah, all ready!
0:40:55 > 0:40:57THEY CHUCKLE
0:41:01 > 0:41:06- Calm down. Calm down. - FIREWORKS WHISTLE AND BANG
0:41:06 > 0:41:08TURKEYS GOBBLE
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Calm down.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- Calm down. - FIREWORKS WHISTLE
0:41:13 > 0:41:15How was that, Steve?
0:41:15 > 0:41:17- Yeah, that was good, Tom!- Cool.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Well, I've seen farmers prepare for them in all sorts of ways, but that was a first for me.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23- Yeah.- And how do you think today's gone?- Well, it was a good start.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26You know, the birds calmed down nice and quickly afterwards,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28so I'm pleased with how it's gone, but we have got
0:41:28 > 0:41:31a bit more work to do before we're ready for Bonfire Night.
0:41:31 > 0:41:32Well, there we go,
0:41:32 > 0:41:35and we all have to be aware on Fireworks Night that you may
0:41:35 > 0:41:37scare pets, wild animals, and, of course, farm animals,
0:41:37 > 0:41:40but at least we know that Tom's turkeys will be safe
0:41:40 > 0:41:42and ready for Christmas.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48And that's just about it, I'm afraid.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51It's time to close our Countryfile Autumn Diaries,
0:41:51 > 0:41:54from here in Northumberland's Kielder Forest.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58It's been a spectacular place in which to explore the wonders
0:41:58 > 0:41:59of the season.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01And if, nearer the date,
0:42:01 > 0:42:04you'd like to make a note of when we open our Winter Diaries,
0:42:04 > 0:42:06well, this could come in handy -
0:42:06 > 0:42:09the Countryfile calendar for 2017.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11It's sold in aid of BBC Children in Need,
0:42:11 > 0:42:14and here is how you can get one.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18It costs £9.50, including free UK delivery.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20You can go to our website,
0:42:20 > 0:42:23where you'll find a link to the order page,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26or you can phone the order line on:
0:42:33 > 0:42:35If you prefer to order by post,
0:42:35 > 0:42:40then send your name, address and a cheque to:
0:42:46 > 0:42:48And please make your cheques payable
0:42:48 > 0:42:50to BBC Countryfile Calendar.
0:42:50 > 0:42:55A minimum of £4 from the sale of each calendar will be donated
0:42:55 > 0:42:56to BBC Children in Need.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01Well, enjoy the rest of autumn, and I hope you'll be joining us again
0:43:01 > 0:43:03when we open our Winter Diaries.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Bye for now.