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0:00:02 > 0:00:03- Ruthin
0:00:09 > 0:00:12- I'm in the centre of Ruthin.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- The square and clock are behind me.
0:00:15 > 0:00:20- In an old house here is the roosting - place for a special kind of bat...
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- ..the lesser horseshoe bat.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26- They don't normally gather - in a town centre.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30- I have an infrared camera here.
0:00:30 > 0:00:35- They won't come out until it's dark, - but I can see everything with this.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40- I'm meeting local man Myrf Griffiths - who knows their exact location.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54- Hello, Myrf.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56- Welcome to the town.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57- Thank you.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- This is where the bats are.
0:01:00 > 0:01:01- Around the back.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- OK. I'll turn this on - as it's getting dark.
0:01:05 > 0:01:06- Let's go around the back.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- Lesser horseshoe bats usually - use buildings in the countryside...
0:01:14 > 0:01:16- ..where it's quiet and dark.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- They choose old stables - or a barn loft.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28- During the summer, this is where the - females give birth to their young.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- They care for them...
0:01:30 > 0:01:34- ..until they're big enough to leave - the roost and hunt on their own.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- What's amazing - about this roosting place...
0:01:43 > 0:01:47- ..is they've chosen - such a busy and urban spot.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49- It's a nice building.
0:01:49 > 0:01:50- It's great.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53- Doesn't it date - from the Middle Ages?
0:01:54 > 0:01:55- It does.
0:01:55 > 0:02:01- The trees for the timbered house - were felled in the winter of 1434-5.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- There are no street lights - in the back of the building.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- The only way to see the bats - is by using infrared light.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- It's quite dark. - They might be out already.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13- Through this door?
0:02:13 > 0:02:14- Through this door?- - Yes.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- They're sometimes in here.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23- Where's the roost?
0:02:24 > 0:02:25- Up there.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30- They come out from - the left-hand side at the bottom.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34- Out the window, not under the roof.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36- Out the window.
0:02:36 > 0:02:37- Here's one.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- Can you see it?
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- It went right around us.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45- Goodness me!
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- There's another one above our heads.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- What's good about old buildings...
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- ..is when you hear - there are bats about...
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- ..they're usually in old buildings.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01- How many are there in all?
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- Well, it can go up to 60 in summer.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- It's down to about 20 now.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13- In autumn, they leave - to look for a roosting place...
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- ..in a cave or cellar.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- Sometimes, they all go.
0:03:19 > 0:03:20- Sometimes, they all go.- - Gosh.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- If they're here - during spring and summer...
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- ..they must give birth in the roof.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- This is a great place for them.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32- They're left alone.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- No-one lives in the house.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38- It's very quiet.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41- It's the perfect spot for them.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44- Here's another one.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- It went right around our heads.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- It's incredible that we can't - see anything in the darkness...
0:03:53 > 0:03:57- ..but that they can find their way - around quite easily.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58- Incredible.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- The bats will have to fly - to open ground outside Ruthin...
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- ..to find enough insects to eat.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08- But somehow or other...
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- ..they've found a good spot to roost - in a town centre.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- Carmarthen
0:04:35 > 0:04:40- A blackbird's climbed to the highest - spot it can in order to sing.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45- They always look for an obvious spot - where their voice will carry.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- This is on a street - in a town centre.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- It's singing on a spring day - in Carmarthen.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- In every village throughout Wales...
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- ..thousands of others - will be doing the same.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- We're used to seeing them - around towns.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- And we hear their angry chides.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- Another familiar sound in towns...
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- ..is the call - of the wood pigeon and the pigeon.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43- But one bird has been - totally confused by urban life.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49- This is especially true - in the darkness of winter.
0:06:04 > 0:06:05- Can you hear that?
0:06:06 > 0:06:10- It's a robin singing - in the early hours in Bangor.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- One's singing over here - and one over there.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- Another one's singing - near the high street.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23- The ones who are singing - are next to street lights.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- In towns and cities...
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- ..these birds sing all night.
0:06:30 > 0:06:31- All night.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- They rest, sing, rest and sing.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- These are winter birds.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- The nesting birds have headed south.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- These have come from the north.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- They maintain a territory - where there's food over winter.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- They'll sing and sing.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- In the early hours, - when there's no-one about...
0:06:55 > 0:07:00- ..it's great to walk through a city - and hear the birds singing.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11- It's a lovely song.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- It doesn't matter where you are - - which town, city or village...
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- ..if you have street lights, go out.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- You're bound to hear - a robin singing.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- Street lights have caused chaos - in the lives of robins.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37- In rural areas, it's among the first - birds to sing in the morning...
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- ..due to its good eyesight.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- It can search for insects, - its natural food, in poor light.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52- With the light on all night, - it's had to adapt its way of life...
0:07:52 > 0:07:58- ..to a 24-hour day - with busy periods followed by rest.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- Cardiff
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- It's incredible - we're right - in the centre of Cardiff.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28- We're under a railway bridge...
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- ..and this is one of - the busiest roads into the city.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- There are hundreds of pedestrians - too.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- Under the bridge - you'll find pigeons.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- They were wild pigeons originally - which were tamed for racing.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49- They escaped back to the wild - and made a home here.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50- It's safe for them here.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- It's under a bridge, so there's - shelter from the wind and rain.
0:08:56 > 0:08:57- A train's passing now.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- There's plenty of food for them - in cities and it's also warmer.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- So this is a great place.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08- As well as that, it's incredible...
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- ..that although - it's the end of November...
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- ..there are nesting pairs here.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- They're incubating eggs.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21- The chicks will leave the nest - at around Christmas time.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- The city's the best place - for them to nest.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- Better than rural areas.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- People aren't generally fond - of pigeons.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36- They say they're pests like rats.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- However, they're very interesting - and affectionate birds.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- A cock is feeding the hen.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54- She's sitting on the eggs - and he's coming in to feed her.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- The big advantage for pigeons - over other birds...
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- ..is they can produce pigeon milk.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- It's secreted from a special gland.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- She can sit here, - even in terrible weather...
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- ..as long as he can feed, - return here and produce milk...
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- ..not only for her but - for the chicks too when they hatch.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- That gives pigeons a big advantage - over other birds.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43- The birds' nature hasn't changed.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- They'd do this on rocks - by the seaside.
0:10:46 > 0:10:51- It's just they've found the ideal - habitat in the centre of Cardiff.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- Birds nest in all kinds of places - around towns.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06- They choose anywhere that's similar - to a natural nesting spot.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- For a gull, a flat roof is similar, - and, if anything, safer...
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- ..than a patch of open ground - on an island.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- Carmarthen
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- If there's no cave available...
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- ..an office in Carmarthen - works fine for a swallow.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- You find birds' nests - in incredible places sometimes.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- This is like a prison - - "Danger, keep out."
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- There's electricity here.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46- There are droppings everywhere.
0:11:47 > 0:11:53- In this corner is the switch - to turn the electricity on and off.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- It says "Danger, do not touch".
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- There are droppings going up to - a swallow's nest right at the top.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- The mother's sitting there - looking down at me.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05- I'm not on a farm.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- I'm in the bowels of a tall building - in the town centre.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16- Swallows are so used - to people and buildings...
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- ..they've changed their nature - almost completely...
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- ..and have forgotten - how to nest naturally.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- But they've learnt - that there are places...
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- ..that are just as good, - if not better, in towns.
0:12:42 > 0:12:42- .
0:12:45 > 0:12:45- Subtitles
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:13:10 > 0:13:11- Can you hear that sound?
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- I'll go closer.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- They're very special toads.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- They're midwife toads.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- You'll hear them in Llandrindod - but nowhere else in Wales.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- They've gone quiet.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- It's an incredible sound.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38- They've escaped.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43- Someone must have been keeping them - and they escaped.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- They obviously like this street.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- They have - a very interesting life cycle.
0:13:51 > 0:13:57- They lay eggs in pools and the males - spend time in these walls...
0:13:57 > 0:13:58- Did you hear that?
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- I'll turn off this torch for a bit.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- They call in the dead of night...
0:14:04 > 0:14:06- ..only on dark walls.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- There are two or three - in these walls.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- They call all summer.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- On a nice evening, - they can be so noisy...
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- ..that they keep the residents - of the street awake.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- If you walked through all of rural - Wales, you wouldn't hear this.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- You'll only hear it in Llandrindod.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- How odd!
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- On one street too - this street.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- They like hiding in holes.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- The gaps through the bricks - are perfect and safe.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- They're called midwife toads...
0:14:45 > 0:14:50- ..because the male carries the eggs - on his back.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- Around 20 at a time on his back.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- He carries them around.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02- After three weeks, when they hatch, - he pushes them into a pool of water.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- That's the reason for their name.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- They're not a native species.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- They come from the continent. - Their closest habitat is France.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- They were kept as pets.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20- They escaped to parts of England - and here to Llandrindod.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- You could spend hours - looking for them.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- You'd be very lucky - if you saw one at all...
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- ..especially - in the middle of a road.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- Here's one.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45- A midwife toad.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46- Wow!
0:15:46 > 0:15:48- This is the first time - I've seen one.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- I'm trying not to scare it.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- See how small they are.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- They aren't big at all.
0:15:56 > 0:16:02- It's less than half the size of - a normal toad we see in large pools.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- I think this one's - making its way to the gardens.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- I can hear others calling - in the gardens.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- This one's probably making its way - to the gardens.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- It's very small.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- It's lighter in colour too.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22- But there we are - a midwife toad.
0:16:24 > 0:16:25- I'll leave it be.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- I'll go quietly.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39- Merthyr Tydfil
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- Ruins are always good places - for wildlife.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- These are the old Cyfarthfa - iron furnaces in Merthyr Tydfil.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- They were famous the world over.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- I sometimes come here - to look for wildlife.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- Jackdaws nest in the holes...
0:17:01 > 0:17:06- ..but there's one bird which nests - in their dozens in the wall...
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- ..I didn't expect to see at all.
0:17:16 > 0:17:21- The birds nesting here - are the small ones flying around me.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22- Dozens of them.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24- They're sand martins.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28- They're birds - I associate elsewhere in Wales...
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- ..with riverbanks, pools - and lakes...
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- ..where they build their own - metre-deep nesting holes...
0:17:36 > 0:17:38- ..in mud or soft sand.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- Here, there are so many holes - in the old wall...
0:17:43 > 0:17:45- ..they use it to nest.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- They push their way in.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49- They carry grass and so on.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51- They land and carry it in.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- They've returned from Africa - around a week to ten days ago.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- The first thing they do is pair up.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- That's why - they sometimes sit on the branches.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- They don't build much of a nest.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- They put grass in the tunnel - and lay eggs inside.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- Though you don't expect - to see them here...
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- ..it's a perfect place for them.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20- It's the only place in Wales, as far - as I know, where they do this.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- Brecon
0:18:48 > 0:18:52- In Brecon, another bird - has adapted its way of life...
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- ..and has occupied a church - in the town centre.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- A peregrine falcon - - the fastest bird of prey in Wales.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- There it is. Look.
0:19:03 > 0:19:08- A piece of stone is sticking out - from the top of the church.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13- It's sat on top of it - looking over the town.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- When I was a boy, - these were very rare birds.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23- You had to go to Wales's - most remote valleys to see them.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- They've increased in such numbers - they can now be found in our towns.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- There are feathers floating around. - It must have just killed something.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37- What this bird wants is a cliff. - Somewhere high up to look out from.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- That's better than a cliff.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- If there's an easterly wind...
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- ..it can go - to the western part of the church.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48- If it's westerly, it can move.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- It's an excellent spot. - It can see everything.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- Pigeons are one of their main prey.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- The fact - there's a predatory bird close by...
0:20:02 > 0:20:04- ..doesn't bother these at all.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- It might have had enough to eat - for one day.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- I'm going closer to the church - to see what it's eating.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- There are feathers everywhere.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- They're mostly pigeon feathers.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- There are other feathers too.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- This is a jackdaw's.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- There are lots of jackdaws here. - I saw some earlier.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35- It eats them.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- There are different coloured - pigeon feathers.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- A white one.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42- A grey one.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44- Goodness me!
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- Let's see what else is here.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- There are pellets here.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- It regurgitates - what it can't digest.
0:20:54 > 0:20:55- Look at this.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- This is a pellet. Look what's in it.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01- It's a red feather.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04- It belongs to a bullfinch.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- A male bullfinch.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11- Goodness me!
0:21:12 > 0:21:13- Look at this.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- The skull of a starling.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- The skull of a starling.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26- It's eaten the brain and the flesh. - That's all that's left.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- A jackdaw's foot.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- Goodness me! Look!
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- Jackdaws aren't doing too well - around here.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- There are more pigeon feathers - here.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45- It seems that the peregrine is - eating mostly pigeons and jackdaws.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- It can eat those in the town.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- It only has to look out, - they're everywhere.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- But it also eats bullfinches.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58- I'm sure if I looked closely, I'd - find thrushes and blackbirds too.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- To catch those, - it has to go to the countryside.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03- This is a perfect place - for it to be.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- These are all urban creatures.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- The peregrine falcon...
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- ..bats...
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- ..toads...
0:22:19 > 0:22:21- ..blackbirds...
0:22:26 > 0:22:27- ..gulls...
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- ..robins...
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- ..and crows...
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- ..have all changed their nature - to live alongside us in towns.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:05 > 0:23:05- .