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0:00:06 > 0:00:09- I'm looking for extraordinary - animals living in Wales.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18- Some that have made their way - back here after a long absence.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- Others that display - unusual behaviour.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28- And timid creatures - that only venture out nocturnally.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39- In this episode, - I'm searching for deer.
0:00:39 > 0:00:45- You can come across deer in Wales - in places such as Margam Park...
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- ..as we see here...
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- ..or in Dinefwr, - Coed-y-Brenin and Powis Castle.
0:00:51 > 0:00:57- But I'm searching for a rarer breed - that's much more timid.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- Deer that have been - introduced to Wales...
0:01:02 > 0:01:06- ..are the breeds you see - on the Margam Park estate.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- A mixture - of fallow and Pere David deer.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14- Fallow deer came from Europe - 1,000 years ago by the Normans.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- The Pere David - were introduced a century ago...
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- ..from Asia.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24- I'm searching for much smaller deer.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28- A breed that is native to Wales...
0:01:28 > 0:01:31- ..but died out - during the Middle Ages...
0:01:31 > 0:01:33- ..is the roe deer...
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- ..and the muntjac from Asia.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40- The muntjac were introduced to - Britain more than a century ago...
0:01:41 > 0:01:45- ..and fled from - England's country estates to Wales.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50- Muntjac have also been spotted - in various locations in South Wales.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54- They have unexpectedly - been spotted in Pembrokeshire too.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- Carol Owen saw two deer - near Pentre Ifan.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- I didn't know - muntjac existed in Pembrokeshire...
0:02:02 > 0:02:04- ..until I heard you'd seen them.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- I've known this area well - for 15 years...
0:02:08 > 0:02:13- ..and eight years ago I saw these - deer, which really surprised me.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18- I watched them for some time to - make sure I hadn't made a mistake.
0:02:18 > 0:02:19- But they were definitely muntjac.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21- But they were definitely muntjac.- - They're very small creatures.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24- Yes, they're very small deer.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- Something disturbed them...
0:02:27 > 0:02:29- ..and they - disappeared into the trees.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- I've not seen them since.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34- I've not seen them since.- - So you saw two eight years ago?
0:02:34 > 0:02:38- You'd never seen them before - and you haven't seen them since.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40- It's very odd, isn't it?
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- One morning you happened to be here - at the right time.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- Yes, it was early morning - when I saw them.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- How on earth am I going to find - muntjac in Pembrokeshire...
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- ..if you've only seen them once - eight years ago?
0:02:55 > 0:02:57- Where are they now?
0:02:58 > 0:03:02- Nearby Pentre Ifan - is the historic Pengelli Forest.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- It's the perfect habitat for deer...
0:03:05 > 0:03:07- ..and idyllic in summer.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- But not always in winter.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- Something's caught my eye.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- I thought - it might have been old deer tracks.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28- But on closer inspection, - it's just a footprint.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- The rain has washed part of it away.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- It's of no relevance.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- But it's the perfect soft ground.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- Tracks - are more pronounced in soft ground.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43- Clearer tracks...
0:03:43 > 0:03:48- ..make it easier to distinguish - between one breed and another.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- It's not the best weather - to search for animal tracks.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59- The rain will have washed away - any traces on the ground.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- These are - the only tracks I've found.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09- Can you see the marks? There are - some here and more the other side.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- These aren't fresh. They're older - than the past two days or so.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19- But they're not too old either. The - moss on the floor is still alive.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- Animals often use - the same paths as humans.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31- It's possible - that deer walk along these paths.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- There's only one way - of proving that.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- By positioning hidden cameras.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50- This is an interesting place.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- The trees are being felled. - They're coppicing.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- They did it centuries ago...
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- ..to encourage vegetation.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- It's very good - for flowers and so on.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- If you went back four or five - thousand years in this country...
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- ..the majority of the land - was covered by trees.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- The earliest inhabitants...
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- ..did the same.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- They burnt a small piece of wood...
0:05:19 > 0:05:24- ..knowing it would attract deer - to feed from the new vegetation.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- I don't know if it'll work...
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- ..but the way I'm thinking now...
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- ..I'll put one camera here to see - if they come here at night to graze.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36- I'll attach a camera to that tree.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- What a difference a day makes.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- It was pouring down with rain...
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- ..and the trees - were bending from side to side.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- It's silent this morning.
0:06:12 > 0:06:18- The sky is blue. It's wonderful - being outdoors on a day like today.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23- With a bit of luck, a deer might - have ventured out last night...
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- ..or early this morning.
0:06:26 > 0:06:32- I've downloaded the footage from the - cameras to see what we've captured.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- That's the first.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- This was taken in daylight.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- If someone was walking by, - we wouldn't see a thing.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- At least it works. - We're getting a clear picture.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48- We'll try the same camera again.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- That's me...
0:06:51 > 0:06:53- ..coming to get it!
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- Yes, that must be me - coming to get it.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- There's nothing on that one. - I'm disappointed about that.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- Let's check the third camera. - This is filming the exposed area.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- There's nothing on that either.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- No, nothing. Very disappointing.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24- To tell you the truth, - I don't know where to go from here.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- There was no footage, - although it doesn't prove much...
0:07:29 > 0:07:31- ..because the weather was so bad.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38- I wonder if it's worth - setting up the cameras once again...
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- ..or would it be better - to find another location...
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- ..where deer have been spotted - more recently and left tracks?
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- I'm going to do both.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- I'll leave cameras - in Pengelli for a week...
0:07:54 > 0:07:55- ..in case the deer show up.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- But only a fox - and a blackbird go by.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- After disappointment - in Pembrokeshire...
0:08:16 > 0:08:18- ..I head eastwards - towards Porthcawl.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- Roe and muntjac deer - have recently been spotted...
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- ..in this forest near the coast.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33- This area is vast. The trees extend - all the way down to the sand dunes.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- The beach is beyond the forest.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- I haven't noticed many tracks...
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- ..but I'm sensing - it's a good spot for deer.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- I think the best place - to position a camera...
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- ..would be somewhere like this.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- There are tracks leading to here, - so we're bound to find something.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- Seeing a fox - would usually lift my spirits...
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- ..but not this time.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14- What a result! This is just - the creature I'm searching for.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- A roe deer.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- It's only recently - that this native breed...
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- ..has returned - to Wales from England...
0:09:24 > 0:09:29- ..after becoming extinct - centuries ago due to overhunting.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- It proves - the breed exists in West Glamorgan.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- Great news for Wales's wildlife.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- I had to make do with - only a glimpse of the roe...
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- ..and no muntjac sightings.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- I'm now searching an area...
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- ..where there are - a greater number of both breeds.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- I've moved closer - to the English border...
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- ..to the county of Radnorshire.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- Malcolm Jarman, who works - for the Forestry Commission...
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- ..has seen the two species - in Knill Wood.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- How many different breeds of deer...
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- ..can be found here?
0:10:17 > 0:10:21- Muntjac and roe, - but roe is the most common.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- Do you see many muntjac?
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- Not very often, no.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- They're difficult to find, - even if there are plenty of them.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- Finding them is predominantly - down to luck and coincidence.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- Yes, you're right, Iolo.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39- They disappear in a flash too.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- Once they raise their tail - in the air, they're gone.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- Malcolm has set up three cameras...
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- ..in this area here - because he knows the forest well.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00- He knows the deer come out from the - trees to graze on the grass here...
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- ..before retreating.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- Something fresh - has passed through here, Iolo.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- That's definitely deer.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- Roe deer.
0:11:15 > 0:11:16- Where next?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- Down here. - Deer have passed by this way.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- There's been a lot of movement.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- Here's the other.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- Are there tracks nearby?
0:11:28 > 0:11:30- Something's been through here.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- I'm sure - you've seen plenty of roe deer.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- But have you seen any muntjac?
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- A couple. I've seen a couple go by.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- But I've seen plenty - of foxes and badgers.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48- You haven't seen - any big cats or pine martins?
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- No, nothing like that.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- That's it. We'll stick that there.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- The other's over here.
0:11:59 > 0:12:00- Something's gone straight past.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- Roe deer again, no doubt.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- Yes.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- Those are fresh tracks.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- Yes, they must've been here - while we were making our way here.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- They probably heard our voices.
0:12:16 > 0:12:22- I'm trying - not only to get shots like this...
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- ..but I'm trying - to capture roe deer...
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- ..and muntjac in daylight.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- How easy a task - do you think that will be?
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- Will it be difficult?
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- If you see roe deer - at this time of year...
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- ..they move about a lot - during the daytime.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- I'm not sure about the muntjac.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- They're bound to move about too.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- Is there somewhere else you know of - within your patch...
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- ..where muntjac have been spotted?
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- Some have been seen in the woods - over here but it's private property.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- The owner has seen some...
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- ..and I've seen some - further up the forest.
0:13:05 > 0:13:06- In Wales?
0:13:06 > 0:13:07- In Wales?- - Yes.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12- Good, because I don't want to go - to England - there are plenty there!
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- Only the Welsh ones count!
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- Malcolm has set up the hidden - cameras before it started snowing.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- The roe deer, - Knill Wood's most common breed...
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- ..was first to appear.
0:13:30 > 0:13:35- A native Welsh breed - coming back home to Wales...
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- ..after a long absence.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- The next animal captured on camera - was a much more common creature.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44- A rabbit.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- Suddenly the weather changes.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- It starts snowing.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- But the weather - doesn't affect nocturnal creatures.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- By morning, - a blanket of snow covers the ground.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- Malcolm was spot-on.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- Two roe deer pass the camera - minutes before we arrive.
0:14:52 > 0:14:52- Subtitles
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:14:54 > 0:14:59- I'm searching for Wales's rarest - deer - the roe and the muntjac.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- I've come to Whitebrook Forest - in Gwent with Adrian Thomas...
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- ..the Forestry Commission's - deer tracker.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- You've been working in this area - for 15 years now.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- How often do you see muntjac?
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- I've seen - one muntjac in 15 years, Iolo.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- I've heard them barking, I've seen - their tiny slots in the mud...
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- ..but only once - have I seen a muntjac.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- That puts it all into perspective.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- Once in 15 years.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- No-one is more equipped - to track deer...
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- ..than Adrian.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- He's come across fresh tracks.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- This looks pretty fresh, doesn't it?
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- It's come down in the recent winds.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56- A tree's fallen.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- There was a storm last week - and this has fallen recently.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- It's covered in ivy.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07- Deer love ivy.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- You can see - the top has been bitten off.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- This one too.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- Two more as well.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- Something's been here...
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- ..and nibbled a few pieces - but much of it is still intact.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30- Adrian said if fallow deer - had come across this...
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- ..they'd have eaten it all.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- He believes - a muntjac has been here...
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- ..and nibbled off small pieces.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- This is the most recent trace - of muntjac I've seen so far.
0:16:46 > 0:16:52- I position a hidden camera and leave - a handful of ivy to attract them.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- There we go, - it's pointing at the brook.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06- If something stops for a drink of - water, it'll be captured on camera.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- But there was no sign - of the muntjac.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- It's mid-January - and I'm back in Whitebrook...
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- ..to search for more muntjac tracks.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- The snow will aid my search.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47- A month's gone by - and it's a totally different scene.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- There's a heavy covering of snow...
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- ..so when it comes to tracking...
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- ..you can follow - the tracks of every animal...
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- ..that has wandered - through the forest.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- It's obvious from this path - that a dog has walked along here.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- But coming through here - and crossing the path...
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- ..are deer tracks - leading into the distance.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- They're quite large, so they - must belong to fallow deer.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- There are plenty - of fallow deer tracks...
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- ..but no traces of muntjac.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- It's silent in the forest...
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- ..apart from occasional bird sounds.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- This is a female great spotted - woodpecker searching for food.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- I've walked around the forest...
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- ..and followed some of the paths - backwards and forwards.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52- All the deer tracks I can see here - belong to the fallow deer.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56- They're very common - and relatively easy to find...
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- ..unlike the roe deer, - which is tricky to find.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04- Roe deer - is a rare breed in this area.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- The muntjac is even rarer.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- Of all the animals - I'm searching for...
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- ..the muntjac - is by far the most elusive.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21- But there's another location in - which the muntjac has been spotted.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- A stone's throw from Whitebrook, - close to the town of Monmouth...
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- ..is a forest which bridges - the Welsh/English border.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- We believe this is where - the muntjac settled...
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- ..when they escaped - from England's country parks.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- These are deer tracks.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- It looks like a fallow deer - rather than a muntjac.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- Muntjac tracks are much smaller - because they're slight creatures.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- More deer tracks here.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14- Walking through the snow always - presents something unexpected.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20- This is a goldcrested wren - searching for food on the ground.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- It usually sticks to the branches.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- These are muntjac tracks.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- They're the tiny prints - of a small creature...
0:20:39 > 0:20:40- ..with small hooves.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43- This is a perfect spot for them.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- There's an old deer fence here...
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- ..with holes everywhere in it.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53- There are brambles and young trees - the other side of the fence...
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- ..providing - the ideal habitat for muntjac.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- Once they cross over there, - they disappear.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- We need to be very vigilant - if we've any chance of seeing one.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- They're obviously - here if there are tracks.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- I'm glad I spotted those.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18- I'm going to wait a while - before positioning hidden cameras.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- The muntjac is far more likely - to roam around...
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- ..when the snow has thawed.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- The fallow deer - is the first to be caught on camera.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50- I've left nuts on the floor so that - it stays in front of the camera.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- It comes back for more - once it's dark.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- Here we are at last.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- This is the muntjac.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- A pair of them appear.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- One is hiding behind the tree.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- The muntjac - has also found the nuts...
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- ..and returns the following night.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- This is the male - with its unique horns.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- The pair are obviously - living together in the forest.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- It's a short - and muscular creature...
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- ..a long way from its native Asia.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- The muntjac was - right in front of me in this spot.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12- It's quite an achievement...
0:23:13 > 0:23:17- ..since they've eluded Malcolm - in Mid Wales and Adrian in Gwent.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- The pair - have been searching for a decade...
0:23:21 > 0:23:23- ..and have only seen a muntjac once.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29- It wouldn't surprise me if they're - hiding in those brambles right now.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35- The muntjac is a timid creature...
0:23:36 > 0:23:40- ..that is gradually expanding - to enrich Wales's wildlife.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:59 > 0:24:00- .