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0:01:02 > 0:01:06- If you want to see a show, you - won't see a better wildlife show...
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- ..anywhere in the world - than starlings coming in to roost.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- It's like a huge hornet's nest - under Aberystwyth pier.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- These birds - will have flown tens of miles...
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- ..to feed on farms - in northern Ceredigion...
0:01:43 > 0:01:47- ..or even as far as Meirionnydd - and Montgomeryshire.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- They gather in small groups...
0:01:50 > 0:01:55- ..and return to roost in a safe - and dry place, under the pier here.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59- As they come back, - they form larger and larger groups.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- By the time they've reached here, - there are 5,000 of them...
0:02:04 > 0:02:05- ..10,000 sometimes.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- They fly back and forth, - back and forth.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- Thousands are coming in. - Look at all these.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22- It's one of nature's wonders - how these came together...
0:02:23 > 0:02:26- ..and chose Aberystwyth pier - as a meeting spot...
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- ..after spending the day - spread out throughout Mid Wales.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34- But during autumn and winter - throughout Wales...
0:02:34 > 0:02:36- ..this is what starlings do.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- If there's a good place to roost...
0:02:39 > 0:02:43- ..they remember it - and obviously share the information.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46- The best places are often in towns.
0:02:46 > 0:02:47- Will they stay here a while?
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- Will they stay here a while?- - They'll stay under there overnight.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- It's been - the experience of a lifetime.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54- It's great.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56- Do they gradually fly away?
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- Yes, in the morning, - as they came in.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03- They come in groups of dozens, - sometimes hundreds.
0:03:03 > 0:03:08- They go back and forth before - deciding it's time to go to sleep.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- They fall out of the air - under the pier.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- It's incredible how they know - how to come in. From all directions.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- It's a safe and dry place - under the pier.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- Listen to that sound.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- The sound of thousands of birds.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- They're under the pier in rows.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53- Those at the end of the rows - will fly up and go under the pier.
0:03:53 > 0:03:54- They're packed tightly together.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- They're packed tightly together.- - How often does this happen in Aber?
0:03:57 > 0:03:58- Every night.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59- Every night.- - For how long?
0:04:00 > 0:04:02- It starts at the end of October...
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- ..and will go on until late - February or the beginning of March.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- Every night, free of charge.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- The metal parts of the pier...
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- ..are far sturdier and sheltered - than any tree, hedge or rush...
0:04:18 > 0:04:19- ..their natural roosts.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24- For a starling, - this is a perfect spot.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29- A disused building with plenty of - dry standing spaces does the job.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- I estimate that around 9,000 - have come in tonight.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- They're all right under the pier.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44- I can still see them, thousands - of them, and you can hear them.
0:04:44 > 0:04:45- They're very noisy.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- They seem to be deciding exactly - where each one is going to be.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- The more experienced ones, - the oldest ones, are in the middle.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- The younger ones are on the fringes.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- If it's extremely cold, - they will get very cold...
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- ..whereas the ones in the middle - will be warm and safe.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- What I like about this roost - in Aberystwyth...
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- ..is you're right there - with the birds.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- They fly above your heads - and come round...
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- ..and you can go right up to - the pier and listen to their noise.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24- It's unique.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- Cardiff
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- It's not only starlings - that roost in towns overnight.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- Many different birds do it.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- We associate cormorants - with the coast.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- But these fly to a park in Cardiff - to spend the night.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- It's late afternoon.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18- The sun is about to set.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- In five minutes, - it will have disappeared.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- The cormorants are gathering - to roost on the tall trees here.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28- One's flying off.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- Why do they come to Roath Park?
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- There are tall trees here...
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- ..they're on an island in the middle - of the lake so they're safe...
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- ..but the main reason is because - they're so close to the sea.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- In five minutes, they can be - feeding, filling their bellies.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- Another five minutes, - they can be back here roosting.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53- For the next half an hour to an - hour, I expect to see more arriving.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- Here's one coming in now.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- The official Welsh translation - of cormorant is "mulfran".
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- Like a lot of our birds, there are - many dialectal Welsh words for it.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- "Morfran" (sea crow) - is one of them...
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- ..an apt term as it's black - and is seen on the seaside.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- Another name - is "colier" (collier)...
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- ..perhaps referring - to its dark colour.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- "Gloddestwr" (glutton) - as it swallows a lot, I suppose.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- How about these - - "wil wal waliog"...
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- .."Llanc Llandudno" - and "wilibofran".
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- They're names - that hint it's quite a character...
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- ..like "bilidowcar" - my favourite.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44- They like being together.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- They nest together, - sometimes, they hunt together.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- They also obviously - like to sleep together.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- Around 50 cormorants...
0:08:05 > 0:08:09- ..roost near Roath Park Lake - in Cardiff every night in winter.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- In the city centre, - there's a far larger bird roost...
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- ..which hardly anyone notices.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- Look at that tree.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- It's alive with small birds.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- They're all wagtails.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- They make quite a noise.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- There are hundreds of wagtails here.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46- They're roosting here.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- They're along the roof.
0:08:50 > 0:08:56- Once one of them - decides it's safe for them to go...
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- ..it goes down and is followed - by dozens of others like waves.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- They're still coming in.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- They'll roost here overnight.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- Wow! Look! - They're moving back and forth.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- It'll be a while yet - before they settle...
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- ..before they decide - where they roost.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25- They're constantly chattering - and moving all the time.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- They're so busy.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- They're still coming. I've never - seen so many wagtails together.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38- I estimate that at least 200 have - come in and they're still arriving.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48- In contrast to cormorants...
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- ..the pied wagtail - tends to spend the day alone.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- In winter, at night, - they come together to roost.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- They'd naturally spend the night - in marshes...
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- ..and keep warm in rushes - above the water.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13- The temperature in towns can be many - degrees warmer than the countryside.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- That can be the difference - between life and death in winter.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- It's one reason why they come here - in their hundreds.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- There are fewer marshes - available to them these days...
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- ..and, like many other birds...
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- ..they've learnt - there are better spots in towns.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- As well as that, - they're away from any dangers.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- I estimated the number of birds - as they flew in.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- I thought there may be 200.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49- But looking up at that tree, - they're like leaves.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- I'd say there are at least - double that number here.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- All the white bits you can see - are wagtails.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- One theory is they come together - to share information about food.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- If a bird looks healthy, it means - it's found a good place to feed...
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- ..so it'll be a good idea - to follow it in the morning.
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0:11:16 > 0:11:16- Subtitles
0:11:16 > 0:11:17- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- Haverfordwest
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- There are wild places in all towns.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- This one is in Haverfordwest.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- In summer, - the wild plants are at their best...
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- ..and change a barren spot - into a colourful and rich habitat.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- I'm coming down towards - the football pitch.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- In front of me - is the old animal mart.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- It was closed years ago.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- Places like this that have been left - alone are great...
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- ..because nature - always reclaims them.
0:12:03 > 0:12:09- Even in places such as this - there are all sorts of flowers.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- Red clover is good. - It's full of nectar.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17- I've seen six species of butterfly - just in this bit.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- I've seen two types of skipper - the - small skipper and the large skipper.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- They're orange butterflies.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27- They're quite swift.
0:12:27 > 0:12:33- There's plenty of nectar and pollen - for them on the flowers.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42- Areas of land such as this one - in towns are important for wildlife.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- With rural habitats declining...
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- ..this is one of the few places - in which nature can thrive.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- In winter, finding food is hard.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- It must be searched for - everywhere...
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- ..including in any wild habitats - near towns.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- The bittern - is one of Wales's rarest birds.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- This one has landed in a pool - near Cardiff.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- It would usually hide in a marsh - in the countryside.
0:13:22 > 0:13:23- But despite the rubbish...
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- ..it's decided that - this is a good place to find fish.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37- It'll be here for a day or two, - or longer if there's enough fish.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- On an industrial estate near Rhyl...
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- ..a short-eared owl - has found a wild patch of land.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- Winter is the best time - to see unusual birds around towns.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- Birds who usually hide - are forced to be less shy.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- In the summer, short-eared owls - live on the uplands.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- In winter, it's forced - to look for mice lower down.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- This is a good place to hunt.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- The thick vegetation has created - the perfect habitat for small mice.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- I don't know of any supermarket - in the country...
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- ..that isn't a good place for birds.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- When new ones are built, - trees are planted.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00- These are rowan trees.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- Once they mature, they're full - of berries, like this one here.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06- That attracts birds.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11- Here, blackbirds and thrushes - have been landing on the tall trees.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- They come down and feed here.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- It'll get dark within half an hour.
0:15:17 > 0:15:22- They have to feed now - before they go to roost over there.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- Without the supermarket, - these trees wouldn't be here.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- This all takes place on the side of - one of North Wales's busiest roads.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- Incredible.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22- If you're very lucky, when you go - to your local supermarket...
0:16:22 > 0:16:28- ..you might see these lovely birds, - waxwings.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- They come from Scandinavia.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- They're rare winter visitors.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- They come here - once every six or seven years.
0:16:37 > 0:16:43- When the berries fail - in Scandinavia...
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- ..they visit us.
0:16:46 > 0:16:52- When they do come, the best place to - see them is your local supermarket.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- They're beautiful. They really are.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01- It has orange-pink, punk-style hair.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- There are patches of red - on their wings.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- That's why it's called a waxwing.
0:17:10 > 0:17:11- They're so pretty.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- When you go to - your local supermarket in winter...
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- ..you might see these.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- When it's frozen solid - in the rest of Europe...
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- ..thousands of birds head west - to milder weather.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- They'll go as far as Ireland - if they must.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- After eating the berries...
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- ..they'll fly back to the Continent - for the spring.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- Winter can be a good time - to see birds in towns.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56- As it's such a barren season...
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- ..thousands come to eat - or to look for shelter.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- For a short period - just before sunset...
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- ..which only lasts - for about 15 minutes...
0:18:09 > 0:18:14- ..you'll get a great aerial show - such as this one in every village.
0:18:30 > 0:18:31- Wow! Look at these!
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- Hundreds of jackdaws.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- I'm between Llanelli and Loughor.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43- Every night in winter, - hundreds of birds come in to roost.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- They choose tall trees, - either behind me...
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- ..this one or ones in front of me.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54- It depends - on the direction of the wind.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- This is a great place for them.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59- Lots of heat comes from houses.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- There are lots of factories - here too.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- As well as that, it isn't far for - them to get food in the morning...
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- ..from people's gardens, parks - or farms.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- This is right in the middle.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- Almost three million jackdaws - live in Britain.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- So it's no surprise...
0:19:25 > 0:19:30- ..that so many gather around our - towns during winter when it's cold.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- The most experienced birds - lead the way.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- They're the ones - who find the roosts.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- But they never go - straight to the roost.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51- They circle around the area and - land in many places before settling.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- There's wave after wave above me.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06- No-one knows why they don't find - one spot and settle there.
0:20:06 > 0:20:07- It never happens.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- They look like they're going - to settle, they go up...
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- ..look like they're settling again - and go back up, just like these.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- Some are settling just above my head - in this tree.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- After landing, - they obviously natter to each other.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35- A jackdaw language where they chat - about good places to shelter...
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- ..and to find food in the morning.
0:20:39 > 0:20:40- Away they go...
0:20:41 > 0:20:45- ..like children who want to continue - playing and put off going to bed.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- They continue chatting.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- And they continue to decide - who lands where.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12- You can be sure that the experienced - ones will get the best spots.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- I think this will be the final wave.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- It's getting very dark.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- What's interesting is...
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- ..they're settling for the night - not only in the trees...
0:21:43 > 0:21:44- ..but on the factory too.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50- They've found a safe and warm place - to roost.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- That's where they'll stay all night.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07- If I was a jackdaw - or another urban creature...
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- ..I'm sure there's enough in towns - for me to recommend.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- There are great places to stay warm - overnight.
0:22:19 > 0:22:24- They're cosy compared to open, - desolate places in rural Wales.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- Between the concrete - and among the rubbish...
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- ..there's enough food available.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- There's no problem commuting.
0:22:35 > 0:22:41- If they have to leave the town, they - only have to fly above the traffic.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47- And, of course, - every little wild patch helps.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:08 > 0:23:08- .