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0:00:10 > 0:00:13- I've been birdwatching - and observing wildlife all my life.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19- But pressures on nature - due to man's intervention...
0:00:20 > 0:00:24- ..have seen some species decline - or disappear altogether in Wales...
0:00:25 > 0:00:27- ..over the past half a century.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31- I'm travelling to England, to - locations teeming with wildlife...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- ..to rediscover species - no longer found at home.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- The British coastline - can be breathtaking.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- There are some glorious places, - aren't there?
0:00:59 > 0:01:01- This is a natural limestone arch.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06- The weaker stone has been - gradually washed away by the sea.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- This is Durdle Door - on the Dorset coast.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13- Ahead of me you can see Portland...
0:01:13 > 0:01:15- ..and these white cliffs...
0:01:16 > 0:01:18- ..which remind me of those in Dover.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- My journey - takes me from Durdle Door...
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- ..through the county of Dorset...
0:01:26 > 0:01:28- ..to the New Forest in Hampshire.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32- Though it's - a densely populated area...
0:01:32 > 0:01:37- ..it has a beautiful countryside - and a diversity of habitats...
0:01:37 > 0:01:39- ..teeming with wildlife.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45- I begin my tour in Arne, - opposite Poole and Bournemouth.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- This is an RSPB reserve...
0:01:49 > 0:01:52- ..that is a sprawling 1,400 acres.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- Within it are several good habitats.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- I'm here in August...
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- ..a good time to search for spiders.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- This is - what I've been searching for.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08- It's called the wasp spider.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14- An appropriate name, - considering its colour.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- It's a very handsome spider.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- It was introduced - from the continent...
0:02:20 > 0:02:25- ..and has bred, though it's - only found in the south of England.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- I'm sure it'll be - with us in Wales before too long.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31- This is a good environment for it.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35- It's just caught a fly in its web.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- It's wrapped it up like a parcel.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40- I'll sure he'll eat it later.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- Most people who come to Arne - come here to see birds...
0:02:46 > 0:02:51- ..though it's a great place for - spotting insects and rare spiders.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- This is the second spider - I'd hoped I'd see here.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- This is a big one. - I'm sure it'll scare some of you.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05- This is the female - great raft spider.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09- She's brown and yellow.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14- She's recently spun a web - in the undergrowth...
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- ..and placed her eggs inside - for protection.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23- That's why she stays outside, - to ward off potential predators.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27- She's very rare and Arne is one of - the best environments for her.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- August is a quiet month for birds.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37- Most that roost in bushes and woods - have stopped singing since spring.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- But there's plenty of other wildlife - to be seen in summer.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- There are - several deer in the woodland here.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55- These are sika deer, which - aren't native to this country.
0:03:55 > 0:04:01- In the Victorian era, they were - imported in large numbers...
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- ..and have fled into the wild.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- The last time I saw one was in - winter and it was a greyish brown.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- They're wearing - their summer coats now...
0:04:11 > 0:04:15- ..which are reddish brown - with white spots.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- They're large deer.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- They're around the same size - as a red deer...
0:04:21 > 0:04:23- ..though they're sturdier...
0:04:23 > 0:04:25- ..with rounded ears.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31- They're native to Japan but thrive - here in the south of England.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- There are a few in Wales.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- The largest collection - can be seen near Cardigan.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- They're attractive deer. - They're completely wild here.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- If you stay far enough away, - they're fine.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- They're grazing. - The females are this side.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52- Further over there, - I've spotted at least two males.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- As well as sika deer, Arne is one - of the best reserves in England...
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- ..to see water voles.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- It's evening and I've come - for a walk to one of the pools.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- I waited for a while - but saw nothing.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- I then three a few pieces of apple - into the corners.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- In no time at all, one appeared...
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- ..swam over to the apple, - picked it up...
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- ..and took it - into a hidden hole somewhere.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- That's a good tip for you - if you're ever in their habitat...
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- ..and want to catch sight - of a water vole.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37- Lure it with an apple!
0:05:55 > 0:06:01- I'm climbing up to the hills now. - This is called Purbeck Ridge.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- The ruins you see are Corfe Castle.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- The castle was built - in an ideal location.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- When it was erected...
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- ..it looked out - over Poole Harbour, the sea...
0:06:16 > 0:06:18- ..at the incoming ships.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- This was also - an important trade route.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26- The castle was looking down on that - and ruling the entire region.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- The ruins - are all that remain of it...
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- ..after it was blown up - during the Civil War...
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- ..in the 17th century.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- At the time, - the family supported the king...
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- ..who was defeated - by Oliver Cromwell.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- This was his way of seeking revenge.
0:06:50 > 0:06:55- A steam train - operates beneath the castle today.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00- There are plenty of places of - historical interest in the area...
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- ..but the main appeal for me - is its hidden wilderness.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- I've ventured further inland - from the Arne Peninsula now.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- This is the Great Ovens reserve...
0:07:18 > 0:07:22- ..run by the Amphibian - and Reptile Conservation Trust.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- It's mostly moorland.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- I've come to see - an incredibly rare snake...
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- ..and one that - I've only ever seen once before.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- The weather isn't perfect today - but what the wardens do...
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- ..is lay down sheets of metal...
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- ..so the snakes can - go underneath them to keep warm...
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- ..out of sight - of buzzards and so on.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50- I've been given - special permission to search.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- It's been so cold and so wet...
0:07:58 > 0:08:03- ..the best place to look is under - these sheets, where it's warmer.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- Here we are. Look!
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- A smooth snake. Goodness me!
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- This is only the second time - I've seen one of these.
0:08:17 > 0:08:18- It's curled up tightly...
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- ..in order to keep warm.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25- It's a dark snake. - It has no pattern like an adder.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- It's gone. - I'll put the metal back down.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- If it warms up, it'll be back - before going out to hunt.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- There are plenty of metal sheets - dotted around the reserve.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- It's a way of monitoring - the population numbers.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46- Let's see what's under this.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- I need to lift it slowly.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- There's another one here.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- Can you see its body? There's - a slight pattern on its back.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- It's very different from the adder.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05- What's interesting is that they - squeeze their prey, like a python.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- They eat lizards and other snakes.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- It's rearing its head very slowly.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- That's why - this place is so important.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- They're a very rare species.
0:09:21 > 0:09:27- They can only be found in Dorset, - Hampshire and parts of Sussex.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- The minute the sun comes out - and heats the moorland...
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- ..the moor's creatures awaken.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- This is great news, since there's - another rare reptile I want to see.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- They say - this is a great place for reptiles.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- A metre in front of me - is a special lizard.
0:09:56 > 0:10:01- It's the very rare sand lizard, - and a female one at that.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- She's found a quiet spot - out of the wind...
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- ..where she catches the sun.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- If you thought - the female sand lizard was pretty...
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- ..just look at this.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- This is the male.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- He's starting to lose - that green colour now...
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- ..but he's - very attractive in spring.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- He's starting to lose that - but he's still handsome.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- His head is bigger...
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- ..than the common lizard - found at home.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- He's sturdier and more muscly.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- It's no wonder - the smooth snake thrives here.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00- Once the sun came out, - these lizards were everywhere.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- Plenty of food for the snake.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- This is the historic Hambledon Hill.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- If you look carefully, - you'll notice the ridges behind me.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- That was once an Iron Age hill-fort.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- To give you an idea of the sheer - scale of it, just look over here.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- Those are its walls, - rising all the way up.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- It measures 47 hectares.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- It's an enormous place.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- They've discovered - more than 300 huts here.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- We call it a hill-fort, - but in actual fact...
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- ..an entire town - was housed within these walls.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- This is one of the best examples - in the whole of Europe.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- Next, I'm venturing - across the valley...
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- ..to the peak - you see on the horizon...
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- ..where there's - a valley teeming with wildlife.
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0:12:39 > 0:12:43- I've come to the north of Dorset, - to Fontmell Down...
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- ..overlooking - Blackmore Vale in the distance.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- This is Dorset Wildlife Trust's - nature reserve.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- It's famous for its flowers, - but more than anything...
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- ..it's famous for its butterflies.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- There are - more than 35 different species.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- I've seen quite a few butterflies - of the blue genus.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16- It's a large group...
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- ..to which the common blue - and the rare large blue belong.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25- But the most vibrant of them all - is this, the Adonis blue.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- When it opens its wings...
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- ..the blue colour - is astoundingly bright.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- When it flies through the air...
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- ..blimey, it's colourful!
0:13:35 > 0:13:40- It's a small butterfly - but it's incredibly pretty.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- I've left Dorset - behind me in the distance...
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- ..and I've travelled - a few miles east...
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- ..to England's - most famous National Park...
0:14:26 > 0:14:31- ..and one - that covers over 200 miles square.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- The New Forest.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40- I've come here at dawn. You have to - take your chances with wildlife.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- It's during the first golden hour...
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- ..that you see the best sights.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- One of the animals - I wanted to see in the new Forest...
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- ..though it's not easy to spot...
0:15:05 > 0:15:09- ..is the fallow deer, - and there are two males here now.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- They look very smart indeed.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- They're approaching rutting season - in a month's time.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20- They put on weight, build muscle - and then they fight.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- They're friends at the moment.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- Interestingly, the pair - look like two different species...
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- ..when, in fact, - they're the same species.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35- One is reddish brown - with white spots...
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- ..while the other is very dark.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- They do vary. I've seen - white ones and grey ones too.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- They come out at night to feed...
0:15:46 > 0:15:51- ..and when the sun rises and people - come here to cycle and walk...
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- ..they disappear into the woods.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- Rarely do you see them in daylight.
0:15:57 > 0:16:03- If you want to see them, you either - have to rise early or come at dusk.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- Of course, - this is called the New Forest...
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- ..but in this case, - the name doesn't mean a forest.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42- It means a hunting site.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- The Normans established the forest - back in the 11th century...
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- ..so the king could hunt.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- Back then, he hunted deer...
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- ..and wild boar.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- It has a special ambience. - It feels primitive.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03- You can imagine people - in the Middle Ages coming here...
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- ..to feed the pigs with acorns.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10- Even before then, - the wolf would've hunted here.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- Little has changed since then.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- The way they manage the area - is refreshing.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- They leave it alone. - Trees have fallen.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25- Lots of ancient trees are rotting - all around. It's a rich habitat.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- This is an interesting place.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- It's called Buckler's Hard.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- One street and two rows of houses - make up the village.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09- They were - purpose built for shipbuilders.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- This is part of the Beaulieu Estate.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- It's a wooded area...
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- ..with the River Beaulieu - flowing down to the sea.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22- Three centuries ago, - this was an ideal location...
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- ..for the construction - of large wooden ships.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31- They say that 40 acres - of century-old wood is needed...
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- ..to build one large warship.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37- That's a lot of trees.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- But there's plenty of forestry - and trees to hand.
0:18:41 > 0:18:47- This is where they built them, - and on top of that, at high tide...
0:18:47 > 0:18:52- ..it was possible to transport - the ships to the sea via the river.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- Between 1745 and 1815...
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- ..they built 50 large ships here...
0:19:01 > 0:19:06- ..three of which - were in Admiral Nelson's fleet...
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- ..in the Battle of Trafalgar.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- This is - an important place historically.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- People think of the New Forest - as a vast forest...
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- ..but there are plenty - of exposed areas such as this.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- This is moorland - with a stream running through it.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53- I've come here looking for - dragonflies and damselflies.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- It's far from perfect conditions. - It's still cold.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- The sun's trying to come out - but it's not warm yet.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- The wind is a pain too. - It's not helping at all.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09- But I've seen a couple of species. - The beautiful demoiselle for one.
0:20:10 > 0:20:15- She was behind me near a pool, - where the water flows slowly.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- They like slow-flowing water.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- I saw the common darter too - - the male...
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- ..as well as the female.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31- They were in vegetation sheltering - from the wind until it warms up.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- The male is very smart.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- He's a vibrant red...
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- ..while the female - is an insipid brown colour.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45- She was camouflaged perfectly - in the vegetation.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- Do you know what else I like - about marshlands such as these?
0:20:49 > 0:20:52- You'll often see bog myrtle growing.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54- If you break the leaves...
0:20:54 > 0:20:59- ..and crush them, - they emit a beautiful aroma.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04- They say if you rub it on your skin, - it keeps insects at bay.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- It's useful - and smells lovely at the same time.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30- I can't leave the New Forest without - mentioning the ubiquitous ponies.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- There are 3,000 of them.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- They're free to graze - wherever they can...
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- ..in line with - the Common Rights of the New Forest.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03- You'd never expect to see something - like this in the National Park...
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- ..but this is - the southernmost point.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- This is Hurst Spit, - a peninsula created from gravel...
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- ..which extends - over a mile and a half out to sea.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- Once you reach the end, you're - only three quarters of a mile...
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- ..from the Isle of Wight.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- And here's where my journey ends.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:01 > 0:23:01- .