0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
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 sites teeming with wildlife...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- ..to rediscover species - no longer seen at home.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50- In this episode, I'm travelling - across the border to Kent.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- The county - is dubbed the Garden of England.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58- Its land is fertile...
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- ..though it's a densely populated - area of southeast England.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- My journey begins in the north - of the county near Rochester.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24- This is Northward Hill, - an RSPB nature reserve...
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- ..overlooking - the marshlands of north Kent.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33- In the distance, the River Thames - snakes its way to the sea.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38- There's a stark contrast - to be seen here.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40- I'm at one with nature here...
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- ..surrounded by cherry trees...
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- ..while there's an industrial - landscape in the distance.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- I'm glad I'm this side of the river.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- The nature reserve - is famous for its grey herons.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00- I'm here to observe - a particular species of heron.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02- The little egret.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11- The RSPB - has granted me special permission...
0:02:11 > 0:02:17- ..to enter this part of the reserve - out of bounds to the public...
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- ..because I wanted to observe - the little egrets.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23- As a youngster...
0:02:23 > 0:02:27- ..I remember three - fellow birdwatchers and mtself...
0:02:27 > 0:02:30- ..going to - a nature reserve near Newtown...
0:02:30 > 0:02:34- ..to see the first egret - to be spotted in Montgomeryshire...
0:02:34 > 0:02:36- ..in the late eighties.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- They're commonplace nowadays - and nest in southern Britain.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45- This is a nesting area - for more than 100 pairs.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53- I'm visiting Northward Hill - during the last week of April...
0:02:53 > 0:02:56- ..when the egrets - come into their own.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00- Their feathers are vibrant white.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02- They're very majestic.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- The two imposing towers - of an old 12th-century church...
0:03:17 > 0:03:20- ..are the most - prominent features of Reculver.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23- But I'm heading to the beach.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- It's where you'll find - nature at its best.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34- This gives you an idea - of how soft these cliffs are...
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- ..on the northern coast of Kent.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- Sand martins nest there.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- Their composition - is more sand than rock...
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- ..judging by the soft texture.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51- You can see the traces of landslides - following the winter storms.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- These birds have only just returned.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- It's easy to tell - because there are so few of them.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- More than 100 pairs will return, - making it Kent's largest colony.
0:04:01 > 0:04:07- The first thing they must do - is repair the holes and tunnels.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- The tunnels - stretch a metre into the cliff.
0:04:11 > 0:04:16- When they return from Africa, - they must dig out a hole every time.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46- Kent's northern coast has receded - more than three kilometres...
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- ..since Roman times...
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- ..which means the sea has swallowed - two metres of land each year.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- It's a very fragile coastline.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- This is a bird that is just as happy - by the sea as it is on land.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- The only thing - that matters to a kestrel...
0:05:07 > 0:05:12- ..is that there's a mouse - or lizard to hunt beneath it.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35- England's best wetlands can be found - at Stodmarsh Nature Reserve...
0:05:36 > 0:05:38- ..near Canterbury.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- Vivian Pritchard - lives near the reserve...
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- ..and is from Llanberis originally.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- Hello, Vivian. Nice to meet you.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- This is a wonderful place.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- People think this corner of England - is overcrowded...
0:05:59 > 0:06:04- ..and resembles a concrete jungle - but there are many places like this.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- I'm heading further south - after leaving here...
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- ..to the North Downs - and then on to Dungeness.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- What can I expect to see there?
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- Well, in this corner of England...
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- ..we're surrounded by sea - on three sides.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27- We're never far from the sea. - There's a variety of wildlife here.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33- Just as I was walking up here, - I spotted some marsh harriers.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- I saw three or four of them.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- I could also hear the bittern.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- I've been searching for it - for years, I've also heard it...
0:06:45 > 0:06:47- ..but I've never seen one.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- Seeing the male marsh harrier - passing food to the female...
0:06:52 > 0:06:54- ..is a delightful sight.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- But catching sight - of a bittern is very special.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- This is one - I spotted on a visit to Somerset.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- This is why - Vivian hasn't spotted one.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- The minute it lands, - it's immediately camouflaged.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- It spends - most its time hiding like this.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- This is the bittern's call.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- LOW HUM
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- It has a constant rhythm.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- That's the only sign - of its presence.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- The only other bird on the lake...
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- ..is the shoveler.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47- The male is multi-coloured - while the female is brown in colour.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- It uses its wide beak - to sieve the water's surface...
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- ..to search for food.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14- What's surprising is that there are - wonderful woodlands in Kent...
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- ..many of which are ancient.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27- That's the blackcap - you can hear singing in the trees.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- It's a common enough bird - but one that is rarely sighted.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- Usually it chirps - high in the branches.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40- I enjoy this time of the year - because there are fewer leaves...
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- ..making it easier - to spot birds in the trees.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- When you see - a male blackcap up close...
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- ..it's a smart-looking bird.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- Blean Woods is one of England's - sprawling ancient woodlands.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- It measures 11 miles square.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09- The end of April sees birds prepare - for spring and nesting season.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- There are green woodpeckers - everywhere in these woods.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36- I can hear one of them - calling in the distance.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- I don't think - I've ever seen so many of them.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- These are mostly young trees - because many have been docked...
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- ..but they make sure plenty - of old trees are left behind...
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- ..so the woodpecker - can nest in them.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- They thrive in these areas - because of these wood ants' nests.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- This isn't a big one...
0:09:57 > 0:10:02- ..but since the woodpecker spends - so much time on the ground...
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- ..it not only enjoys devouring - the ants but also the small eggs...
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- ..beneath the surface.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14- That's why the green woodpecker - thrives in these wooded areas.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- It's not only birds that regenerate.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- The green tiger beetles - are at it too.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- It's a striking beetle - but is very common in Britain.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- The city of Canterbury - provides the backdrop...
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- ..with the cathedral at its heart.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57- In the distance - are the North Downs...
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- ..which is where I'm heading next.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14- .
0:11:16 > 0:11:16- Subtitles
0:11:16 > 0:11:18- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:29 > 0:11:31- I've reached the Kent Downs...
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- ..a section of the North Downs...
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- ..whose chalk hills extend from - east to west in southern England.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- Large parts - of the Kent hills are wooded.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- 70% of them are ancient woodlands.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- There are new plantations too.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- What a display!
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- It's like sitting - in a flower garden.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- The primroses are wonderful...
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- ..as are the violets here and there.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06- Coniferous trees were planted here, - but since the soil was so thin...
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- ..they didn't grow, - so they cleared the area.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- It heats up quickly - because the soil is very thin.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- It boosts vegetation...
0:12:17 > 0:12:23- ..and helps all kinds of insects, - bees and so on, in the process.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- This is a common insect - in the south of Britain.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- It resembles a bee - but is, in fact, a fly.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40- Because of its resemblance...
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- ..it's called a bee-fly.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- This is one of only a few flies - that can extend its proboscis...
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- ..to the core of a primrose - to extract the nectar.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- This is called Devil's - Kneading Trough. What a great name!
0:13:16 > 0:13:21- They must've thought it was - the devil who created this trough.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- It was actually created at the end - of the Ice Age, 10,000 years ago.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31- As the ice melted, it scarred the - landscape, leaving this deep trough.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- I'm at the edge - of the North Downs...
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- ..overlooking the valley.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- There's no better view - in the whole of Kent.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05- This is Romney Marsh - which is incredibly flat.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- Much of it - is still beneath sea level.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- Very little - of the original marsh remains.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- It's dried out over the centuries...
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- ..and most of it - is now grazing pasture for sheep.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22- There are few buildings here, - apart from the odd farm or church...
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- ..such as this one, - the Church of St Thomas a Becket...
0:14:26 > 0:14:30- ..named after the famous 12th - century martyr who was murdered.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- It's a very unique place - and exceptionally flat.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- In the past, - the wool industry was responsible...
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- ..for sustaining the people - and churches of Romney Marsh.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- The marsh extends 100 square miles - to the south coast of Kent...
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- ..and Rye Harbour Beach.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- Haf Morris...
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- ..lives nearby.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04- What's a Welsh native - doing in these parts, Haf?
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- Work brought me here...
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- ..once Trawsfynydd closed.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- I was offered a job here in Kent...
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- ..at the Dungeness power station.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- We moved here 20 years ago.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- It must've been a shock because - you're from Blaenau Ffestiniog.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- It's a mountainous region - compared to here.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- Was it a shock to the system?
0:15:28 > 0:15:29- Yes, it was.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- Yes, it was.- - What brings you to Rye Harbour?
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- It's nice and flat to come walking.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- It's different.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- There's shingle and sea.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- Lots of paths - and a variety of birds.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- Your love of wildlife - must be inherited...
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- ..from a famous member - of your family.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- Ted Breeze Jones was one of Wales' - famous naturalists.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- Yes, he was Uncle Ted to me.
0:15:56 > 0:16:02- I'd go out with him to Trawsfynydd - Lake to see the gulls nest.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- He took me into the hides. - He said, "They don't count."
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- We'd both go in, but he'd - go back out and leave me there...
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- ..and I'd take photographs - of the birds...
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- ..while he went for a cuppa.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- So, all these photos that Ted - claimed to have taken were yours?
0:16:20 > 0:16:22- Yes, that's right.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- Large pools - have been created in Rye Harbour...
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- ..by people - digging for gravel over the years.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42- It's a great place to spot - oystercatchers and turnstones.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- The name...
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- ..certainly - befits the bird's actions.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- Turnstone describes it perfectly.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42- I feel as if I've stepped into - a scene from a Western.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- It's very arid land. - My mouth is dry too.
0:17:46 > 0:17:51- But this is Britain's only desert.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56- It's so dry here because - there's gravel for miles on end.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59- The water - falls straight through it...
0:18:00 > 0:18:02- ..creating a unique habitat.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- Its formation - is relatively recent...
0:18:05 > 0:18:10- ..but the sea is gradually - flowing from the east and west...
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- ..carrying the gravel - and tossing it...
0:18:14 > 0:18:16- ..into this area.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- The coast has changed dramatically - over a short period of time.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- A place called Lydd, - situated two miles inland...
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- ..stood right at the edge of the sea - up until the 18th century.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- That's how drastically it's changed.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05- It's a stark contrast between - the barren portion of the reserve...
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- ..the driest region of Britain...
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- ..and this expanse of water - only yards away...
0:19:11 > 0:19:13- ..and these shallow pools.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18- The water itself comes straight from - the earth's core through the rock.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20- It's nice, clean water.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24- The diversity of birds and wildlife - is disappointing.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27- Interesting species are rare.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- There's - a great crested grebe over there.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35- There's a sedge warbler - happily chirping behind me.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40- It's usually hiding in vegetation, - rarely revealing itself.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- A stone's throw from the Dungeness - wetlands and gravel desert...
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- ..is the village itself.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24- A collection of huts and - odd buildings close to the beach.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- It's obvious the kestrel - has followed me on my journey.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- Behind the barrage is the Channel...
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- ..and the open sea - which separates England and France.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07- The gulls search for food near - the Dungeness nuclear power station.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- Warm water from the power station - is pumped out to sea.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30- A large intake of cold water - is required...
0:21:30 > 0:21:35- ..to keep the nuclear reactor cold.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40- Unfortunately, the odd fish - finds its way in and is killed.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- As the water's pumped back out...
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- ..the bodies are pulverized...
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- ..attracting all these gulls.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54- Most are black-headed gulls, - except for a few herring gulls.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- There are few terns - in their midst too.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- It's like having - a convenient cafe on your doorstep.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- My journey to Kent - ends in Dungeness.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17- A county rich in wildlife - and picturesque views.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- It was unexpected, - to tell you the truth.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- Next time, I visit Dartmoor...
0:22:26 > 0:22:31- ..one of southern England's - most barren landscapes.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:06 > 0:23:06- .