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0:00:09 > 0:00:13- You find unexpected things - in the middle of towns.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15- I'm in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18- There's an old railway line - in the middle of town.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23- It used to lead to Trawsfynydd - but it's been closed for decades.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28- People walk along the line and - unfortunately they throw rubbish.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31- There's rubbish everywhere.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- But it also gives nature a chance.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- During a warm spring...
0:00:50 > 0:00:54- ..any wasteland - quickly fills with wild plants.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- It turns into a nature reserve...
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- ..and becomes a great habitat - for insects and birds.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- One bird who loves wasteland, - especially in a town centre...
0:01:10 > 0:01:11- ..is the sparrow.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21- This place is perfect for them. - There are lots of old houses.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25- There are holes in the walls - and in the eaves.
0:01:25 > 0:01:31- Birds sit on the aerials and then - go under the eaves to the nests.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36- They gather grass and so on to build - their nest from the old railway.
0:01:36 > 0:01:42- For the first two weeks after - the chicks have flown the nest...
0:01:42 > 0:01:47- ..they need lots of caterpillars, - insects and seeds.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- They gather those from here.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52- It's an ideal place for them.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00- They're social and noisy birds.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- They've learnt how to take advantage - of people's wastefulness.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- They live - in almost every town in the world.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18- At one time, they were so numerous - that they were culled.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- Millions were eaten.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26- Thankfully, the taste - for small birds has gone...
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- ..or at least it has in Britain.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- It's now illegal to kill sparrows - without a licence.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37- That hasn't stopped a marked decline - in their numbers.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- There are ten million - fewer sparrows in Britain today...
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- ..than there were 25 years ago.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- A 70% drop.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- The reason for this...
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- ..is because there are fewer spaces - like this one in Blaenau.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59- This means there are fewer insects, - the chicks' most important food.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- As well as that, there are - fewer places for them to nest...
0:03:04 > 0:03:06- ..in the countryside and in towns.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- Roofs are an important part - of urban birds' life.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- The guttering is ones of the - best places to quench their thirst.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- It's like a pool in the middle - of a dry savannah in Africa...
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- ..where everyone gathers - for a drink.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38- It's also a good place - to find food.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- I've been watching a rock pipit.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- It's usually found on rocks - by the sea.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01- In winter, - they gather on this building.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- There are holes in the walls - which are full of insects.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08- You can see them on the roof too.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- The reason for that - is when the sun's out...
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- ..the roof is a little warmer - than the surrounding land.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- The insects gather there.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- If there are insects there, - that's where the birds go.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- Rock pipits know that.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- They go into the guttering too.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33- There's soil in there - and it's a sheltered area...
0:04:33 > 0:04:38- ..where you'll find small worms - and all kinds of insects.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- It jumps in, disappears, feeds, - comes back up, looks around...
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- ..and does the same again.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- I enjoy watching it.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06- The bird that most of us associate - with roofs is the swallow.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- Four species come to Wales - every summer.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19- One has claimed the name swallow - all to itself.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23- This is the swallow - that most of us would recognize.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- The house martin meanwhile - is a black and white bird...
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- ..which builds a nest out of mud - under the guttering.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- The sand martin is a brown bird...
0:05:36 > 0:05:38- ..which is normally never seen - in towns.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- It builds a nest out of mud, - usually on a riverbank.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- This, in Llanrwst, is a swift.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- It only comes to Wales - for a short period in summer...
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- ..and has the best call of the lot.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04- I haven't seen so many swifts - in one place this year...
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- ..as there are on this street - in Llanrwst.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- It's right next to one of the - busiest roads in Wales, the A470.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14- Incredible.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- They scream back and forth.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- They want old houses like these - which have holes in the eaves...
0:06:21 > 0:06:23- ..where they can go in and out.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- We're all a bit too fussy now.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- We don't like holes in the eaves. - We close them.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31- These then lose nesting places.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- This is perfect - - a row of old houses...
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- ..fields where they can feed - and trees too.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- For me, the noise they make, - their scream...
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- ..is the sound of summer.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- They don't arrive from Africa...
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- Wow, there are two or three - above my head.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- They don't arrive from Africa - until May.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04- They leave in the first week - of August, so they aren't here long.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- They have to make the best - of what's here.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- They need insects - and a place to nest.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- This street in Llanrwst - is perfect for them.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- Swifts have created - an unnatural habitat...
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- ..outside the house - and above the street.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- There is wildlife that's gone - the other side of the door...
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- ..and decided to move in with us...
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- ..something that Sue Coleman - has discovered.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35- In the garage?
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- Yes, in the garage.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- Through the kitchen.
0:07:41 > 0:07:42- Oh, wow!
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- This is quite a garage.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46- Excuse the mess.
0:07:46 > 0:07:47- Excuse the mess.- - It's fine.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- Right, where are the mice? - Do you know?
0:07:51 > 0:07:56- We have apple trees in the garden.
0:07:56 > 0:08:02- In autumn, we pick the apples - and put them on the bench.
0:08:03 > 0:08:04- Here.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- Here.- - There are droppings on the bench.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08- Mice droppings.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- Mice droppings.- - Definitely.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- Have they eaten all these?
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- Yes, around the skin.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- Mice come in during autumn...
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- ..into the garage - or the house sometimes.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- Because you have - so much in the garage...
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- ..they probably build a nest here.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- Do they come out - when you're here? No.
0:08:30 > 0:08:31- They don't like people, do they?
0:08:31 > 0:08:32- They don't like people, do they?- - They're shy.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34- I thought they would be.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- If it's OK with you, - I'm going to leave these here.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- They obviously eat them.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- Can I leave a camera here - pointing at the apples?
0:08:43 > 0:08:45- Of course.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- We can then look - what's on the camera.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Hopefully, we can see - exactly what they are.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04- The apples look lovely.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- They're making me hungry.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- Not much is happening at the moment.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- I thought I saw something.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14- Ooh!
0:09:14 > 0:09:15- Ooh!- - There he is.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17- A mouse. Wow.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19- It didn't stay long!
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- Oh, look. It's pretty.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- It's a wood mouse.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- A wood mouse.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- It's going straight in. - Well, well, well.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- It's pretty.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- Very large ears, a long tail.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- It's eating.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40- It has large eyes.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- The large eyes - mean they can see at night...
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- ..and their large ears - mean they can hear any sound.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51- They are pretty.
0:09:51 > 0:09:52- Well, well, well.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56- That one didn't take long - to come out.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- It came out - almost immediately after we left.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- Within half an hour.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- It's possible there are - more than one in the garage.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- This one is a female.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- Is it? OK.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- I didn't look at her closely.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18- I only looked at her ears, tail - and eyes.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19- It's a female.
0:10:19 > 0:10:20- It's a female.- - I think so.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- Let's see if a male comes along.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24- Where did she go?
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- She's disappeared somewhere.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- She's back. The same one.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31- Yes.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- I can tell now - a female.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- Interestingly...
0:10:36 > 0:10:42- ..an apple is rotting - but it's going for a fresher one.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- It is.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- It must be more nutritious.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- Yes. That apple is sweet.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- Oh. So they're different varieties.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- Cooking apples.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- Oh, I can tell from its shape. - This one too.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- And these two are eating apples.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04- Yes, that's it.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06- Yes, that's it.- - She's going straight for them.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- You first found out - they were here...
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- ..when you were bringing - the apples in to store them.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14- Yes.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- But you now - leave out apples for them.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23- Do you mind them being there? - Most people wouldn't want them.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28- I'm happy - to live alongside wildlife.
0:11:29 > 0:11:30- They're lovely.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31- They're lovely.- - Well done.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- When you can watch them live, - it's great.
0:11:36 > 0:11:37- It is.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- Oh!
0:11:42 > 0:11:43- Oh!- - Another one?
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- It was darker.
0:11:46 > 0:11:47- That's the male.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- That's the male.- - Yes, I'm sure.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- There's a hole in its ear.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- The other one didn't have one.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- This one looks bigger.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- The males are often larger.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06- There are at least two in there. - That explains all the droppings.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- The male's - going for the rotting apple.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11- That's very interesting.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13- That's very interesting.- - He likes cooking apples!
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- The bad news - is you have a male and a female.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- In six months, you'll have hundreds.
0:12:20 > 0:12:21- In six months, you'll have hundreds.- - Hundreds!
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- You'll have to leave!
0:12:24 > 0:12:25- Well, well.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- Who'd have thought - that this is taking place...
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- ..and we're sat here watching them.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35- Well, well.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43- They usually come out at night - and hide if there's any noise.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- These obviously know - Sue's garage well.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- Wood mice are the species - you'll most likely see in the house.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- They usually only come in - during winter.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- They can be a pest sometimes.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- If that happens, don't kill them.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- Try and catch them and release them - in their natural habitat...
0:13:10 > 0:13:11- ..woodland or a hedgerow.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Release them far enough - from the house, at least a mile...
0:13:17 > 0:13:18- ..or they'll be back.
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0:13:26 > 0:13:26- Subtitles
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:13:44 > 0:13:45- Look at this.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51- A butterfly - has come into the shed...
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- ..to find a home for winter.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- This is a red admiral. - It's very pretty.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- Its wings are closed now, of course.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- When it opens them out, - the red, black and white are lovely.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08- It looks for a place - that's dry, out of the wind...
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- ..and where the temperature - is fairly constant.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- If it's too warm, they wake up. - If it's too cold, they die.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21- A shed like this, despite the fact - that someone's working here...
0:14:21 > 0:14:22- ..is perfect.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- They can spend the winter - inside houses.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- The problem there - is central heating.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35- When everyone's home all day - in midwinter with the heating on...
0:14:35 > 0:14:39- ..it wakes up and gets confused, - but this one has chosen wisely.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- A shed - where the temperature is constant.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- Pontypool
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- A shed and garage are good places - to look for wildlife.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- Who knows - - you may find something unexpected.
0:15:04 > 0:15:10- Especially if it's a garage full of - stuff with plenty of hiding places.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- It's a good place for spiders.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- But this is no ordinary spider.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- One creature you may find, - and there's one here...
0:15:33 > 0:15:38- ..is a very special spider - - a false widow spider.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- You may remember, but three - years ago, the press went crazy.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- They said that false widows - were a danger...
0:15:46 > 0:15:48- ..that they bite and cause harm.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- Yes, they do bite. This one does.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- You must bear in mind that there are - three different species.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00- This is the largest. - Its Latin name is nobilis.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- This is an alien species.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07- It came to this country in 1879.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- For a long time, it was only found - in south east England.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- As a result of global warming, - it's moved northwards.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- It can be found all over Wales now, - but it's not common.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- There's no reason - to be scared of these.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23- This will stay here its entire life.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26- They don't travel far at all.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31- It builds a small web, like this one - here, which will catch insects.
0:16:31 > 0:16:32- You can recognize it...
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- ..by its cream-coloured pattern - on its abdomen.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43- If you see one, don't be scared. - Leave them alone, they're fine.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- If you are bitten, - it's like a bee sting.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48- It doesn't hurt much.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- I accept that some think...
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- ..that spiders and mice - are the stuff of nightmares...
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- ..and banish them from their homes - by any means.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- But one creature is welcomed by all.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- I've come to the village of Deri - near Bargoed in the Valleys.
0:17:33 > 0:17:38- The woman who lives in this house - gives food to hedgehogs every night.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- There was one here last night - and the night before.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- I hope it'll be out again tonight.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02- There he is.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- A hedgehog has come to eat the food.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10- I'm not going to put the torch - on fully. I don't want to scare it.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12- Aren't they pretty?
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- I'm not sure where it's going. - They do roam a long way.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22- I'll shine the torch on its backside - so you can see it better.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24- Off it goes.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29- This isn't a common sight - these days...
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- ..especially in the countryside.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- I see hedgehogs more often - in gardens in towns and villages...
0:18:36 > 0:18:37- ..than I do at home.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39- There are a lot of reasons for that.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42- They're killed on the roads.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47- We use slug pellets in the garden. - They don't like that.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- We concrete our gardens.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54- These want to eat slugs, worms - and insects.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- If gardens are concreted, - there's nothing for them to eat.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- We also put fences - all around the gardens.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- These can't go from one garden - to the next.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- Research has shown...
0:19:07 > 0:19:11- ..that they can roam - three kilometres in one night...
0:19:11 > 0:19:16- ..through gardens, in woodland - and along hedgerows.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18- They like to roam.
0:19:18 > 0:19:24- Maggie, fair play, - leaves out worms for it.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- She says that he comes every night - at about eight o'clock.
0:19:30 > 0:19:31- They are pretty.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- Everybody likes hedgehogs.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- If you want hedgehogs in - your garden, don't tidy up too much.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47- A pile of grass or stones...
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- ..is a good place for them to sleep - during the day.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- Leave food out too.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- I leave out dog food or cat food.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01- They love both.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09- But don't give them milk and bread. - They're not good for them at all.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- Hedgehogs have probably - always lived alongside us in towns.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20- With more bits of land - being left to grow wild...
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- ..some very rare wildlife - have appeared.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- How nice, and unexpected too.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- A great crested grebe - nesting in the heart of Cardiff.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- These are very smart birds.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- When I was a lad, these were rare.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- To see one, - you had to go to the countryside...
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- ..to a large lake - where they'd be nesting.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- They were shy - but this is fearless.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- There's a swan nesting beside it - and a coot around the corner.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- It demonstrates - that with the right habitat...
0:21:00 > 0:21:05- ..if there's shelter and food - available and a place to nest...
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- ..wildlife - will come into villages, towns...
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- ..and even into the heart - of Wales's biggest city.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- There are excellent habitats - in towns.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- Wildlife left in peace will thrive.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- This is important - as many natural habitats in Wales...
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- ..have deteriorated.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- These have all adapted.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58- They've learnt how to take advantage - of what's available in towns.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- It can be a place to find food...
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- ..a place to sleep...
0:22:13 > 0:22:15- ..or a place to raise a family.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- But we're benefiting too.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- Quite often these days, you won't - get a better wildlife spectacle...
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- ..than one seen in a town.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- What's great about Wales is - it doesn't matter where you live...
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- ..even in a town centre, you don't - have to go far to enjoy wildlife.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- It's right on the doorstep.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:25 > 0:23:25- .