This episode takes you on an enchanting journey through the vital waterways of Britain and Ireland. From the serene reed-beds of Somerset to the bustling ecosystems of Scotland's lochs, the film unveils the intricate dance of life sustained by freshwater. Marvel at the agility of dragonflies and the aerial prowess of hobbies, witness the arduous journey of Atlantic salmon as they return to their birthplaces to spawn, and observe the fascinating life cycle of the mayfly. Discover the impact of reintroduced beavers in Scotland, creating new wetlands that buzz with life. The episode doesn't shy away from showcasing the challenges these ecosystems face, from climate change to pollution, emphasizing the delicate balance that sustains these vibrant freshwater habitats. ‘Freshwater’ is a mesmerizing ode to the streams, rivers, and lakes that are the lifeblood of the Britain and Ireland isles, supporting a diverse array of life in one of the planet's most beautiful settings.
Sir David Attenborough explores the surprisingly vibrant seas that surround the British Isles. The vast watery wilderness around us is over three times the size of our land mass, and yet to many, our oceans remain a mystery. Full of colour and teeming with life, the seas of Britain and Ireland are crucially important to a range of wildlife. This episode goes beneath the waves to uncover the thriving habitats that exist along our 22,000-mile coastline. In winter, clear evidence of the ocean’s abundance can be seen on a beach in Norfolk. Thousands of grey seals congregate on the shoreline to give birth. Britain and Ireland are home to 40 per cent of the world’s grey seals, and the number being born on our shore rises every year. Once the newly born pups are weaned, the females are ready to breed again, and heavyweight males enter violent, bloody fights to win a stretch of beach, and the females along with it. Beyond the beach, the vibrant shallows contain several important habitats. Rich beds of seagrass are nurseries for a range of animals, while also acting as very important carbon storage areas. They are also home to one of the strangest fish in our waters, the seahorse. We follow a male and female as they perform a balletic mating dance in the water, delicately entwining their tails. The stakes are high, as these animals mate for life. In a touching piece to camera, Sir David bids a fledging Manx shearwater chick farewell as it embarks on a 6,000-mile journey across the oceans to South America. There is no better example of how important the British Isles and its abundant seas are to the survival of wildlife worldwide.
In fifth episode, you can witness how wildlife ingeniously adapts to the bustling human landscapes of Asia. Marvel at tigers establishing territories within urban areas, elephants halting traffic in search of food, and observe how 300 giant monitor lizards thrive in a central Bangkok park. Discover flying squirrels nesting in Taipei schools, proboscis monkeys venturing closer to human settlements, and swifts in Jerusalem competing for nesting sites. This story offers a captivating glimpse into the extraordinary resilience and adaptability of animals coexisting with dense human populations.
In the sixth episode, you’ll journey through Asia’s vast deserts and steppes, where life thrives against all odds. Meet the elusive Gobi bear, one of the rarest mammals on Earth, scent-marking ancient trees in its territory. In the densely populated Thar Desert, thousands of demoiselle cranes migrate from Siberia to be greeted with offerings of grain by the local Jain community. Discover how wild horses and gazelles endure harsh conditions and outsmart predators. This chapter reveals the remarkable resilience and adaptability of wildlife in one of the planet’s most unforgiving environments.
In the second episode of Asia – Above the Clouds, you will witness the incredible inhabitants of the continent’s mountainous regions. Watch elephants roaming the high-altitude tea plantations of India and swifts gathering in the majestic limestone caves of Thailand. In Pakistan, witness markhors battling on sheer cliffs, while in the forested foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal, you’ll encounter one of Asia’s most elusive mammals—the red panda. This episode unveils the secrets of life at the highest points on Earth and showcases how diverse species have adapted to the extreme conditions of the mountains.
In the third episode you can see an extraordinary journey through the frigid realms of northern Asia. This captivating documentary unveils the remarkable strategies employed by wildlife to endure and flourish amidst relentless snow and ice. Witness the stealth and agility of Himalayan wolves as they pursue the swift chiru antelope across vast, frozen terrains. Observe the delicate courtship rituals of red-crowned cranes, mastering intricate mating dances in the snow-laden landscapes. Delve into the secluded habitats of the elusive Amur tigers, navigating the dense, frost-covered forests where Russia, China, and North Korea converge—a region also inhabited by the world's largest owls. Each scene offers a profound glimpse into nature's resilience and adaptability in some of the planet's most unforgiving environments.
‘Freshwater’ is a mesmerizing ode to the streams, rivers, and lakes that are the lifeblood of the Britain and Ireland isles, supporting a diverse array of life in one of the planet's most beautiful settings.