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0:00:06 > 0:00:09- I'm searching for - unusual 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.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- I've visited the Berwyn range - since my childhood.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56- I more or less grew up here.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00- I've been making pilgrimages - to these small pools...
0:01:00 > 0:01:02- ..for the past 25 years.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- During the middle of March - each year...
0:01:05 > 0:01:10- ..toads emerge from the undergrowth - and head for the water to lay eggs.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15- What's interesting is that - the otter knows that they're here.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- It appears from nowhere - and feeds on them.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24- I've regularly seen proof of this - - toad remains here and there...
0:01:24 > 0:01:26- ..but I've never seen it happen.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- That's what - I want to capture on film.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- It's the second week of March.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- It's been a harsh winter this year.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- The Berwyn's uplands near Bala...
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- ..are among - the coldest places in Wales.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50- This time of year usually signifies - spring, but not this year.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52- This is frozen toad spawn.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57- It's going to be a difficult - breeding season for frogs and toads.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- Otters are unlikely to show up - until it gets warmer.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- I continue my search - on lower ground in Merionethshire.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15- Nick Young has seen otters eating - toads in a quarry pool near Corris.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- But the weather - is no better here either.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- Is this the spot?
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- Is this the spot?- - Yes, this is it.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24- This is the quarry pool.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30- They tend to lay eggs...
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- ..in the far corner over there.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35- I think I can see some spawn.
0:02:35 > 0:02:36- It's probably frozen.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38- It's probably frozen.- - Yes, it's frozen.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41- Is this - where you found the remains?
0:02:41 > 0:02:46- Yes, there was spawn there as usual. - I was taking my dog for a walk.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51- I came across the remains - of approximately 30 toads.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- It was an interesting sight.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59- That surprises me because this is - a quarry with a pool in the middle.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- How on earth did an otter find it? - They know how to time it perfectly.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- I could return and find nothing - but otters instinctively know.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- I often pass here and see nothing...
0:03:12 > 0:03:17- ..but on this particular morning - I happened to be walking the dog.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20- It looked as if - they'd gone on a killing spree.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- But with a frozen pool, - it'd be difficult...
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- ..to see - any otters at all this year.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- Otters usually feed on eels, - lobsters and fish.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- But this time of year in Wales, - they eat toads.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- I've heard - of another ideal spot for otter...
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- ..to the west of Corris, - nearer the coast.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54- The lake is above Llwyngwril.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- During the month of March, - otters come here looking for toads.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- Some of the - Snowdonia National Park wardens...
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- ..told me about this lake.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- There are obvious signs here.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- The stream - flows into a larger river.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- I'm finding toad remains.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20- These are the little black eggs...
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- ..that are usually encased in jelly.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29- I've found them near the spot where - the lake feeds into the stream.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- I'll check - if there's more the other side.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- The pool looks promising.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- There's a good chance - I'll see otter hunting.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- There are plenty of toad marks too.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- Look here.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- This is frogspawn.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- I wonder - if there are toads here too?
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- If there are, then their spawn - is going to attract otters.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03- I'll take a look around.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- We've hit the jackpot here.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- Take a look at this.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- These are the remains of a toad.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- Just the head and its front legs.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- The otter's eaten its hind legs.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- It's done that because there's a - poisonous gland in the toad's body.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39- Usually otters remove the skin - and leave that bit behind.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- But in this case, it's eaten the - back end and left the large gland.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- This is here too.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48- It's dried out a little.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- This is a frog.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- There are - fresh otter tracks here too.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- This is very fresh. - It's otter droppings.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- Can you see these things in here?
0:06:04 > 0:06:09- Each one of those - is the bone of a toad.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11- This is an ideal spot.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- It's the perfect location - to set up hidden cameras...
0:06:16 > 0:06:18- ..and catch the otter hunting toads.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23- As I'm looking at the peninsula - which leads to the lake...
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- ..it strikes me how small it is.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- It's only around - 12-15 metres in length...
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- ..and 10-12 metres wide.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- But it obviously attracts otters.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38- This place is teeming with toads.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- I'll set up the camera - pointing downwards...
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- ..at this flat area here.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- If an otter makes its way down here, - we should see it.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- The spawn is beneath me...
0:06:50 > 0:06:55- ..so if they catch anything, - they should bring it up here to eat.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- I'm leaving a couple of cameras - at the lake for a week...
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- ..to see what footage I get.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- The first creature - in front of the camera is a raven.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- He's come to peck - at the dead toad on the peninsula.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- Next is a newborn lamb - and its mother.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- A badger is captured, - searching for food at night.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- Apart from those few, there's - no sign of any other creature.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- To make the task - of finding otters even harder...
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- ..the wintry weather returned.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- This is very odd.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06- If we filmed this programme 30 years - ago, we'd be lucky to find an otter.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- But nowadays - their numbers have increased.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- There are otters - in every lake and river in Wales.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- It makes this work more difficult...
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- ..because you have to be - here, there and everywhere.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- There's a team of us - looking for signs, not just me.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- They've set up cameras too.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- I've come to - the Newcastle Emlyn area...
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- ..where Osian, one of the team - in the blue over there...
0:08:34 > 0:08:40- ..has seen otter tracks and set up - cameras to try and film them.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- Hiya, Osh.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- Hiya, Osh.- - Hiya, Iol. How are things?
0:08:44 > 0:08:47- Good, thanks. - What do you have here?
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- I've been speaking to people from - the Wildlife Trust and the CCW...
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- ..who suggested I come - to the Newcastle Emlyn area...
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- ..because there are - several pools and lakes...
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- ..with definite signs - of otter activity.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- So there are no toads here as yet?
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- So there are no toads here as yet?- - They're starting to appear.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11- Keith, a local farmer's son, - said he's seen some activity.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14- There are plenty of signs here.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- In this area, yes. - I'm confident we'll see something.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29- With the cameras in position, - as night falls...
0:09:29 > 0:09:31- ..I get a favourable result.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- An otter - steps in front of the camera.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- It's been caught - on another camera too.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- It's busy searching for something. - Toads, hopefully.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55- It obviously likes the camera.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- But unfortunately by morning...
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- ..the lake has frozen over.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- This will have - a profound effect on the toads.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- Breeding season - will be very late this year.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17- I will have to wait a while longer - to see an otter eating a toad.
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0:10:21 > 0:10:21- Subtitles
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0:10:23 > 0:10:26- I'm searching - for toad-eating otters.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- It's something that only happens - in early spring in Wales.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- I've already seen toad spawn...
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- ..and captured an otter on film.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- But not together.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- I've come to the Llandeilo area.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- Local naturalist Dyfrig Jones...
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- ..brings me to a pool where - both have been spotted recently.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- There are signs of both - near the pool.
0:11:00 > 0:11:01- There are bones there.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- There are bones there.- - These are perfect examples of bone.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06- Are those the bones of a toad?
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- Toads and frogs - - a combination of both.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- This pool - is teeming with both species.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- What I really want to film, - and to see, if possible...
0:11:17 > 0:11:23- ..is an otter feeding on a toad.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- They've a special way - of eating them.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- Yes, they have.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- They eat every bit of the frog.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- They literally eat the bone...
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- ..and you can hear them crunching it - while it's in their mouth.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43- They turn the toad on its back...
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- ..and with their claw...
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- ..the otters - tear open the stomach...
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- ..and literally eat - the toad's insides...
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- ..before - turning the skin inside out.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- At this time of year, maybe earlier, - depending on the weather...
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- ..you'll find the skin - turned inside out.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07- If you want to, you can - turn it the right way around...
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- ..to see how it should look.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- It's all about timing too.
0:12:12 > 0:12:18- You have to hit these pools - at exactly the right time.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- How does the otter know that?
0:12:21 > 0:12:26- I think an otter - is one of those species...
0:12:26 > 0:12:31- ..that is more acutely aware - of its habitat and surroundings...
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- ..than any other species.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- The male otter...
0:12:36 > 0:12:40- ..hunts a territory which - covers more than 30 kilometres...
0:12:41 > 0:12:43- ..and is made up of rivers, - lakes and streams.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- It knows when toads and frogs...
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- ..are going to be - in certain pools or wetlands...
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- ..and that's - where it goes to hunt...
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- ..and excludes every other area - within its territory.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- In a short space of time too.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- Yes, and what's - even more miraculous...
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- ..is that the female...
0:13:05 > 0:13:10- ..usually gives birth to her young - during winter, in February...
0:13:10 > 0:13:15- ..to make the most of the frogs - and toads as the main food supply.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21- Look what I've found. This one's - escaped the otter's clutches so far.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- It's nice, isn't it? Nice eyes.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25- Yes.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- The weather is perfect, the toads - are venturing to the water...
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- ..and all bodes well.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- I'm going to set up - a few cameras around the pool.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- The toads are easy to spot - in the water at night.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- Their eyes are white - in infrared light.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- They disappear - when a fox approaches the water.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- Foxes feed on toads.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- So do buzzards during the day.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- Herons too.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- And badgers.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- With so many animals - hunting for toads...
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- ..the chances of catching - an otter eating them is slim.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- But this one - is competing for the prey.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28- And she's not alone.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- She's brought her young along - to feed in the pool.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47- Like all young creatures, - they're curious and playful...
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- ..and they've noticed the camera.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- Though the camera - emits no sound or light...
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- ..they know there's - a foreign object on the bank.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06- If you look carefully - in the middle of the picture...
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- ..you'll see a toad - moving in the grass.
0:15:09 > 0:15:15- With the otters far enough away, it - ventures unnoticed into the water.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- This toad isn't so lucky.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- It's been eaten.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- The otters chew their food - quickly and noisily.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- The toads are perfect prey - when learning to hunt.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37- They don't move very fast and - they're easier to catch than fish.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- Most of the toads - are caught in the water...
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- ..and the otters - bring them to the bank to eat.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54- You can hear the toad's - bones breaking as the otter chews.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- The young have had enough to eat.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- They now want to play and fight.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- The otters return to the pool - on alternate days...
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- ..around the same time, - early evening.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- That's when the pool - is awash with otters.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- This is the best chance I'll get...
0:16:29 > 0:16:33- ..of seeing them eat toads - with my own eyes.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- The crew and I have set up cameras.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- We've two hide-outs up here.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- We'll hopefully - film the animals from this...
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- ..and I'll be - in the other over there.
0:16:46 > 0:16:52- We also positioned - infrared cameras here...
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- ..on the other side of the pool - and one over there.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- They'll project light over the lake, - and between everything...
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- ..we'll hopefully see the animals.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- Tonight could be very significant.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28- It's just a matter - of sitting and waiting now.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34- More than likely - they'll appear once it's dark.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- But you never know with otters.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- I've seen them in daylight.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- If they know there's food here...
0:17:41 > 0:17:45- ..and with plenty of toads - in the water...
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- ..starting to make a noise...
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- ..that should attract them.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- It'd be great if they showed up - relatively soon.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- I might be here all night.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59- Our intention is to stay here - until the otters show up.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- We might be here until morning.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- It's gone too dark - for me to see outside now.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- I have to rely - on this screen in front of me.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- But having waited all night...
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- ..there is no sign of an otter.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- One of the infrared lights...
0:18:57 > 0:18:59- ..has run out of charge.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- The other is about to run out too.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- I can't see much at the moment.
0:19:04 > 0:19:10- I can see a patch to my left and - another patch on the opposite side.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- The only option I have now...
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- ..is to wrap up for the night.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- If the otters are still here, - I'll come back and try again.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- If they're not, - I'll try another location...
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- ..where they're - still eating toads and frogs.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- I'm very disappointed.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- There's nothing I can do about it.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- The pool was silent.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- I'd lost my chance of seeing them - in the spring in Llandeilo.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47- But there were still signs - of otters and toads...
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- ..at the pool near Newcastle Emlyn.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52- This is my last chance...
0:19:52 > 0:19:57- ..to see otters hunting toads - from my hide-out.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- I've been sitting in the hide-out - for three hours...
0:20:01 > 0:20:03- ..before it got dark.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- I can hear the birds singing.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- The blackbird and robin - are chirping away.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17- From what we've seen on the footage - taken from the five cameras here...
0:20:17 > 0:20:23- ..the otters usually show up around - ten o'clock, after it gets dark.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28- But there's always a chance they'll - make an appearance before dusk.
0:20:31 > 0:20:36- It's a foggy night and the wet - atmosphere has attracted birds.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- There are swallows - feeding above the water.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- It's a lovely sight.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- A little grebe...
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- ..has also just landed on the water.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- This is a good sign. - It doesn't know we're here.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- We're out of sight and silent.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- If the little grebe has shown up, - hopefully the otter will too.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- Thank goodness - for the swallows and grebe.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- It's difficult sitting in a hide-out - when there's nothing to see.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22- The swallow and grebe's displays - entertain us until it gets dark.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- Later the hard work begins.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- The trouble...
0:21:44 > 0:21:48- ..with sitting in a hide-out - for hours and hours and hours...
0:21:48 > 0:21:53- ..is that you start hearing things.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- I thought - I'd heard something outside then.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- I can't see a thing, to be honest.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- I'm not sure whether or not - it's me imagining things.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- It's very silent around the water.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17- Unfortunately, the otters have - decided not to make an appearance.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- It's hard to know if - the infrared light was to blame...
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- ..or if they sensed our presence.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- Either way, they weren't - venturing out this evening.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- I won't see an otter hunting toad - this spring after all.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- It's too late - to film the otter from now on...
0:22:35 > 0:22:40- ..but the hidden cameras - have done their work.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- We've seen some wonderful footage.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- The truth of the matter...
0:22:45 > 0:22:50- ..is that it's very difficult - seeing wildlife in action up close.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- The animals - are either too unpredictable...
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- ..or too sensitive - to any change in their habitat.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- But our hidden cameras have shown...
0:23:00 > 0:23:05- ..that small lakes are important - for a variety of species in spring.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- We've also witnessed scenes - we've never seen before.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16- We've seen a mother - teaching her young to hunt.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23- The best thing of all was - capturing the otters on camera...
0:23:23 > 0:23:27- ..catching toads and eating them.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35- One young otter had plenty of - confidence in front of the camera...
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- ..even in daylight.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42- The toad-hunting season is over - until next spring.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:58 > 0:23:59- .