0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:02 > 0:00:03- Wrexham
0:00:16 > 0:00:18- I'm on an estate in Wrexham.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- Residents have been complaining...
0:00:21 > 0:00:25- ..that badgers - have been damaging their gardens.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40- Margaret Morris lives on the estate.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45- Where do you see the badgers?
0:00:45 > 0:00:50- They either - come through the gardens...
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- ..or across there.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- There's a path - at the end of the road.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- They must be going around the back.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03- We have friends who live - in the cul-de-sac down the bottom.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05- They come through their garden.
0:01:05 > 0:01:06- They come through their garden.- - Do they?
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- They're not popular at all - on this street.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12- They do so much damage.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- They do so much damage.- - I heard they dig in the gardens.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17- Have they done it in your garden?
0:01:17 > 0:01:18- Yes.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23- They dug up the parsnips last year - and ate them.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- We couldn't understand - who was eating them.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- You see their droppings too.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- Some people leave out food for them.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39- But I don't leave out food.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- However, they are cute.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- They are, and they were here first.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- That's what I suspect, at least.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- Margaret's house is near Acton Park.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- It's a large park - on the site of an old mansion...
0:01:55 > 0:01:59- ..with lots of trees and hedges - that have been here for centuries.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- This is where Margaret's badgers - are likely to be coming from.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- There's plenty of space - for the badgers to hide.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29- Margaret says that this is where - she sees the badgers.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33- If you come with me, - I'll show you where the sett is.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39- It's on the border - between the park and the houses.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- This estate is brand new.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48- It was only built 10-15 years ago.
0:02:49 > 0:02:50- Something like that.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- The council were building these...
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- ..and they were going to extend - all the way over there...
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- ..until they found a badger sett.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03- They had to stop building then.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07- They've now fenced - the whole place off.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- It's as if the badgers - have their own little reserve.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14- But it's not large enough - for them to feed...
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- ..and that's why - they come to the gardens.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- I'm coming into the park itself now.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23- I'll show you where the sett is.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- It's on the border of the park - the other side.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29- There's a fence over here.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- I'll show you. Come with me.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- It's darker in here.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- There's a large fence behind me.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43- Can you see this?
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- Here's part of the sett. - There's a hole here.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- I don't think - it's been used recently.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02- Most of the sett is in here.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- People have been fenced out.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06- I can see one hole over there.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08- There are other holes too.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11- This is where the badgers are - during the day.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- They come out at night, of course.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- I'll show you one of the places - they come out.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- I want to leave a camera near it.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- The badgers - are totally safe in there.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- It's been fenced.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41- Look at this. - It's been done for the badgers.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- The hole in the fence - is a way out for them.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47- They obviously use it.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50- There are footprints on the path.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- They're not clear but they go down - here and around the corner.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- This is their way out.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- They're safe there during the day - but they have to come out to feed.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- They go to the park - and also to the housing estates.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- I'm going to lay down camera traps - tonight...
0:05:08 > 0:05:13- ..to see which way they go, - how many of them are there...
0:05:13 > 0:05:17- ..and perhaps more importantly, - what time they come out.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- I'll leave one camera here but - I'll also put them in other spots.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31- It's the last week of July.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- It gets dark at around 9.00pm.
0:05:35 > 0:05:41- At 10.30pm, an hour after sunset, - the first badger emerges...
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- ..and is caught on camera.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- Two badgers come out of the hole.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- The camera was against the wall - looking that way.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- They're quite nervous at first.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58- I think they know they're safe - the other side of the fence.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- Out here, there are always people - here at night.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- They're walking their dogs - or jogging.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08- The badgers are cautious out here.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- They emerge very slowly.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- One's coming down to the camera.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- They're pretty animals.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- One's right by the camera!
0:06:21 > 0:06:22- Goodness me.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27- Its nose was right in the lens.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- It didn't like that.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- It turned round - and went back along the fence.
0:06:37 > 0:06:42- After looking closely at the camera - and deciding everything's safe...
0:06:42 > 0:06:48- ..they go out alone and follow - different paths into the estate.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- This one's going along the same path - as I did earlier.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57- It's now 11.00pm.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03- It's been searching around the park - for about half an hour...
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- ..before venturing - onto a more public path.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13- Its mate is already on the estate - but has used another path.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- Hello! Do we know each other?
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- Badgers' vision is quite poor.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- Smelling and licking is the best - way to tell friend from foe.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- The most obvious thing - about badgers...
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- ..is the black and white pattern - on their face.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- We think the pattern helps them - to see each other at night.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- It's infrared light - which enables us to see them.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- It's pitch black.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- Only the camera can see them.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- But this one can easily be seen.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- It's reached the top end - of the estate.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- It's clearly visible - under the street light.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- It's now around 12.30am.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- They often have a path - which they follow.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- Hedgehogs do the same thing.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21- They go along here, into a garden - where they know there's food...
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- ..then into the park - and then return slowly.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- But they won't go out - until they think it's safe.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- Until nearly everyone's in bed - along with their dogs.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- They then return underground - before dawn...
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- ..so they're out of the way - before the traffic starts...
0:08:43 > 0:08:45- ..and before people wake up.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- It's amazing, - when we switch off the light...
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- ..there's very different life...
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- ..even in the middle of a large town - like Wrexham.
0:09:01 > 0:09:01- .
0:09:04 > 0:09:04- Subtitles
0:09:04 > 0:09:05- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:09:06 > 0:09:07- Haverfordwest
0:09:39 > 0:09:40- It smells of foxes here.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- It's a strong smell.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50- I can't see any tracks - but there's certainly a smell here.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- It marks its territory with urine.
0:09:56 > 0:10:02- It mixes it with a special chemical - which leaves a strong smell...
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- ..so that any other fox - will know about its presence...
0:10:07 > 0:10:08- ..and go elsewhere.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- There's a very strong smell - just here.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- I'm in a church cemetery - in the middle of Haverfordwest.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- The church has closed - and people seldom come here...
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- ..so it's a good place for wildlife.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- There's some sort of path here.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32- It's hard to tell because - the grass has recently been cut...
0:10:33 > 0:10:34- ..but there is a path.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- There are no rabbit tracks. - I can't see any rabbit droppings.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- It's not clear enough - to be a badger.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- They have small feet...
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- ..and their belly drags along - the ground making a clear path.
0:10:47 > 0:10:53- I think the path is heading - for the hole in the fence.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56- See this?
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- Something's made a hole - in the fence.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- There are no tracks, - there's no smell.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- If an animal used this, - it would come this way.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- There's a hole in the hedge - over there too.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- There's more greenery - down there too.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- I think I'll lay some camera traps - away from this path.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- I don't want them too close - to where people walk.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26- I'll put them back there - to see what uses the path.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- As I suspected, foxes use the path.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- There are lots of them.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58- They're all from the same family, - otherwise there'd be squabbling.
0:12:00 > 0:12:06- The cemetery's a good place to find - insects, worms or some mice...
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- ..a fox's natural food.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- Urban foxes also look for food - that we've discarded.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- A path that leads - to a fast food restaurant...
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- ..is obviously - a good place to visit.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35- While most of us are sleeping, - it's a busy time for foxes.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- Carmarthen
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- I'm on an industrial estate - on the outskirts of Carmarthen.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58- There are lots - of fast food restaurants here.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59- A couple are behind me.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- I've been told - that this is a good place for foxes.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- It looks it - there are plenty - of trees and hiding places.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- We're very wasteful - - we throw food away.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- I'm told they come here so - I've left some cameras out here...
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- ..in the hope I get something.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- At least 100,000 foxes - live in towns across Britain.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- The figure could be as high - as 400,000.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- So it's no surprise they can be seen - in every town in Wales.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40- Look at this fox.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- It went out - at five minutes to midnight...
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- ..and again at 1.30am.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49- It's feeding.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- They lead a life of luxury.
0:13:51 > 0:13:56- We're so wasteful - throwing - food away, especially in the bins.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- We might have eaten half a burger - and chips and thrown the rest.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- The fox hoovers up - what we've thrown away.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- If there was no fast food - available for this one...
0:14:10 > 0:14:15- ..it would look for mice, rabbits, - frogs, insects and berries...
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- ..in more natural habitat.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- But fast food - is a very handy option.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Haverfordwest
0:14:41 > 0:14:46- I've returned to Haverfordwest - to follow a different wildlife path.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- This creature uses a river course.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- I'm going down - towards the river now.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07- That's the Cleddau. A stream flows - into it under the town hall.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- That's the town hall.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- An ecologist works here.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16- He says that an otter - comes up here sometimes.
0:15:16 > 0:15:17- It feeds in the river.
0:15:17 > 0:15:22- I'm looking for signs - of the otter coming out the water.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- Otter droppings - are usually found on the riverbank.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- An otter's territory can - extend as much as 20km...
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- ..so it could easily travel far - up and down the Cleddau...
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- ..and up the little stream - from the centre of Haverfordwest...
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- ..to rural Pembrokeshire.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44- There are otter droppings here.
0:15:47 > 0:15:48- See this?
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- It's otter droppings.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- It smells a bit...
0:15:56 > 0:15:57- ..fishy.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- It's not a strong smell.
0:15:59 > 0:16:00- It's unique.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- You can tell straightaway - they're otter droppings.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- It's not fresh, - but it's not old either.
0:16:07 > 0:16:13- I think - it comes out of the stream...
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- ..defecates here - in order to mark its territory...
0:16:17 > 0:16:22- ..and maybe goes into - the River Cleddau over there.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- It comes up here - and then goes into the river.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- I'm going to leave some cameras.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- I'll put one here looking down...
0:16:30 > 0:16:35- ..and another on one of the posts - looking across, so I cover it all.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- I might put another one - by the water.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- It's just gone 10.00pm.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- It'll be pitch black - in less than half an hour.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46- There'll be no-one around.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50- I'll pick these up - first thing in the morning.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- The first creature to appear - is a rat.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49- They live everywhere.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- A river's one of the best paths - for them to use in a town.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01- Here's the otter.
0:18:03 > 0:18:04- It's on patrol.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- It's looking for food - but also ensuring...
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- ..that any other otter knows - it's here by marking its territory.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- This is important.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16- If a female otter comes here...
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- ..he'll have the first opportunity - to mate with her.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- Pembroke
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- Otter numbers have risen sharply - over the past 20 years.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- They're well-protected - by countryside laws...
0:18:37 > 0:18:40- ..and there's now - less water pollution.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- That means - they're far easier to spot.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- They're in almost every river - and waterhole.
0:18:47 > 0:18:53- Phil Lewis, the chef at The - Royal George pub, sees them often.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59- You can see them over there, - just underneath that oak.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00- Under there?
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- They play among the roots.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- I reckon there were five of them...
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- ..over summer.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- I think they were a mother - and her cubs.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16- Four cubs?
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- It was hard to tell exactly...
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- ..because they were frolicking - in the water.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- One would appear suddenly - and then disappear in an instant...
0:19:30 > 0:19:31- ..just like that.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32- They move quickly.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- They move quickly.- - They're shy creatures too.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40- What's the best time to see them - - in the morning or at night?
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- At night, at dusk.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- But in the morning...
0:19:46 > 0:19:51- ..I've seen them once - just before dawn.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- I was walking my dog.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57- Right. That's a good time.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- Just before sunset is best.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03- They're starting to come out now - and play.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- But I think they live - in the upper pool.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- On the far side?
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- Through the tunnel, - over the railway.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13- They live over there.
0:20:14 > 0:20:20- The Wildlife Trust - has built an otter holt for them.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22- Oh, right. There.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23- Oh, right. There.- - Through that tunnel.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- I think they feed there.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- This is where they play.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- They return here through the tunnel.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37- So the best thing for me to do if - I want to see them is to stay here.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- If I don't see them, - I'll come back tomorrow morning.
0:20:42 > 0:20:43- Look under that oak.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- Look under that oak.- - OK. I'll keep an eye on it.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- Keep a beady eye on over there...
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- ..because there'll be a lot - happening just before sunset.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18- There is a word - that sums up the otter well.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23- Unpredictable.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- They turn up when they feel like it.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- There was no sign of the otters - at sunset.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51- But, at dawn, - a mother and three cubs appear.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- They've come to the pool - to look for fish.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- This one's caught an eel.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- They're there long enough - for everyone to take selfies.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- Having caught enough fish - in the pool...
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- ..they return to their den.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- Three of our most - iconic wild animals...
0:22:44 > 0:22:46- ..have adapted to live in towns.
0:22:49 > 0:22:55- As they're usually busy at night, - most of us never see them.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- But if you're out - at the crack of dawn or at dusk...
0:23:02 > 0:23:06- ..you might experience - an unexpected wildlife show.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:28 > 0:23:28- .