The first edition of a new Tyne Tees Television series on the wildlife of the north presented by Andrew Friend. In the first report Guisborough based photographer Graham Skinner takes pictures of adders on the North Yorkshire Moors followed by a trip to Allen Bank valley near Bardon Mill in Northumberland to find the illusive Dormouse that lives there. The next report is on a wildlife rescue centre near Morpeth that specialise in the treatment of Tawny owls and after the break a story on the...

The first edition of a new Tyne Tees Television series on the wildlife of the north presented by Andrew Friend. In the first report Guisborough based photographer Graham Skinner takes pictures of adders on the North Yorkshire Moors followed by a trip to Allen Bank valley near Bardon Mill in Northumberland to find the illusive Dormouse that lives there. The next report is on a wildlife rescue centre near Morpeth that specialise in the treatment of Tawny owls and after the break a story on the issues local anglers have with the cormorant as these sea birds eat fish from known angling ponds and reservoirs. The final report from Kielder Forest and research being carried out there on the fluctuation in numbers of short-tailed field voles. Title: Wild North Andrew Friend introduces a new series about the wildlife in the north, and the subjects which will be covered over the coming weeks and in this first programme. The first topic is the adder. Graham Skinner a photographer from Guisborough keeps snakes and studies them, particularly the adder since they can be found locally on the North York Moors. Photographs follow of adders he has found on the moors. Graham shows a snake he has brought home with an injury, probably a burn scar, possibly sustained during heath burning which can kill some snakes. The snake has made enough of a recovery to be released back into the wild. Graham continues photographing and giving more information about the adder. He says there is a decline countrywide in the snake population, not just the adder and is probably due to loss of habitat. He admires the animal and is concerned for future populations and asks that walkers be wary when out walking on the moors. Graham also wants to set up a conservation group for reptiles, in order they all have a chance of survival. The next animal undergoing research is the dormouse. Population figures have plummeted due loss of habitat. The film goes to a stretch of woodland at Allen Banks near Bardon Mill in Northumberland. It is owned by the National Trust and is one of the few places in the north to find the dormouse. Denis Fleming of the National Trust describes the dormouse. Over the last hundred years the dormouse has disappeared from seven counties in England. Denis says that dormouse habitat is associated with ancient woodland, that is trees planted before 1600. At Allen Banks the woods are full of these old specimens. Denis combines the jobs of forester and head warden and he looks after the property in a way that benefits woodland and dormice. Denis explains how the area is enhanced to ensure dormice survival by careful planting. Nesting boxes have been placed amongst trees, which Denis checks during the breeding season. Allen Banks is one of fifty places taking part in a national survey of dormice lives and habitat. The programme goes on to the wildlife rescue centre known as the Sanctuary run by Kim and Alan Olsen near Morpeth. They care for a range of injured or abandoned wild animals. Many of the birds at the centre have suffered injury from high winds or injuries from road traffic. Two tawny owls have recovered from injury and are to be released back into the wild. While two tawny owl fledgelings are brought into the centre, for recuperation. Kim and Alan release the two adult tawny owls. Title: Wild North The next report involves the cormorant, and Brian Little an ornithologist finds them fascinating. However, their migration inland in search of food has unsettled those who like to fish on rivers, reservoirs and ponds. Dave Hall of the Tyne Anglers Federation has said that fishing in these locations has been devastated by the cormorant. Brian Little comments that fish are food for man, birds and other animals, but fish stocks out at sea have been overfished by mam. Dave Hall describes the size and weight of fish typically caught by the cormorant, which has a detrimental influence on maturing fish stocks. Since cormorants are protected there have been several ideas put forward to try and stop cormorants taking fish from rivers and open water. However, Dave Hall insists culling is the most effective way to deal with the problem. Brian Little is not convinced as it could reduce cormorant numbers. The main breeding colony in Northumberland is on the Farne islands which only has 270 breeding pairs. Colin Blundell of the Environment Agency says evidence of damage to fisheries is needed before control of the birds is undertaken, and the means to control them needs to be effective. Dave Hall says that in other areas of the country anglers have taken matters into their hands and have illegally shot cormorants. The short-tailed field vole is quite common in the north east, but occasionally numbers fall dramatically, but why remains unknown. Kielder Forest is a well-known wildlife sanctuary and James McKinnon has been doing an extensive research survey into the short-tailed field vole. This involves trapping the animals, marking them, taking other details then releasing them. The research will help them work out the vole population in different parts of the forest and will ultimately give information on the huge drops in population. The voles are also important for several important predators such as tawny owls, weasels and foxes. The research will help the Forestry Commission manage the forest into the future for wildlife as well as trees. Credits: Presenter Andrew Friend Camera Simon Crouch, Lee Sutterby Sound Postproduction Andy Ludbrook Editor David Hindmarsh Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth Producer Charles Bowden CBTV production for Tyne Tees Television © Tyne Tees Television MCMXCVIII