An edition of the Tyne Tees Television series on the wildlife of the north presented by Andrew Friend. In the first report we join butterfly expert Ian Waller at Bishop Middleham Quarry in County Durham where his is working to recording butterfly sites around County Durham and Northumberland details of which will form part of the Millennium Atlas, the most comprehensive guide to butterflies in Britain. Next, a visit to the River South Tyne near Haydon Bridge in Northumberland where Naturalist...

An edition of the Tyne Tees Television series on the wildlife of the north presented by Andrew Friend. In the first report we join butterfly expert Ian Waller at Bishop Middleham Quarry in County Durham where his is working to recording butterfly sites around County Durham and Northumberland details of which will form part of the Millennium Atlas, the most comprehensive guide to butterflies in Britain. Next, a visit to the River South Tyne near Haydon Bridge in Northumberland where Naturalist Bill Tait explains his interest in the Oyster catcher which has been breeding on the river for the past 50-years. After break a survey being carried out the Game Conservation Trust on the decline in numbers of Lapwings or Green plover on the low-land pastures of Weardale and Teesdale. Next to the Cheviot Hills in Northumberland and a study by Newcastle University into the history of one the country's most elusive creatures, the Wild goats of Kielder. Finally, to a pond near Gateshead where one of Britain's most beautiful birds, the Kingfisher, has made its home and where a study is underway to find out how good a fishing bird it is. Title: Wild North Andrew Friend introduces the programme and summarises the main topics. At Bishop Middleham in County Durham a former quarry is now a wildlife trust reserve, supporting many rare plants and insects; it is a favourite site for butterfly expert Ian Waller. Ian reckons you could identify 30 species of butterfly in County Durham. He spends much of his time in the countryside identifying and recording butterfly sites and is also the county recorder of butterflies for Northumberland and Durham. The input from individuals and societies is recorded which will help identify species which are increasing in numbers and those that are declining. The Comma butterfly is now beginning to increase in Northumberland and Durham; the Durham Argus however is declining. Ian shows how a plant vital for the survival of the Durham Argus is being protected at the quarry. Ian is working on the Millennium Atlas which is the largest survey of butterflies ever done in Britain. The next item looks at the oyster catcher which has adapted to live on waterways further inland than its usual habitat. For Bill Tait from Haydon Bridge in Northumberland it is his favourite bird which now frequents the South Tyne River. Usually a coastal bird, it is often seen near Seahouses or Craster and other areas, but some have come further inland to breed while still spending the winter back at the coast. Bill has been studying the same group for many years and has a unique insight into the life of this bird. Title: Wild North In Weardale research is being carried out into the reduction of the numbers of wild birds on farms. At the centre of the research is the lapwing or green plover. David Baines from the Game Conservancy Trust describes the bird. David says that so far a survey suggests a stable population in Teesdale while in the Eden valley farms surveyed have recorded a decline in numbers. Lapwing chicks and some adults are ringed to help track individuals. The decline, David says, is due to clutches of lapwing eggs not hatching, often due to high predation rates probably from carrion crows. In Teesdale crows are culled to protect the grouse population hence the more stable lapwing population. Another reason for decline is intensified farming methods leading to loss of habitat. It is hoped that farmers will change their methods in the future. However David feels there will be continued decline of the lapwing, that it may be decisions from the EU that will make a difference. The programme moves on to the Cheviot hills in Northumberland where the elusive the wild goats of Kielder live. Scientists from Newcastle University are doing an in-depth study. The goats have been living in the area probably since the early Middle Ages and Peter Lurtz from Newcastle University says they have probably not cross bred with other domestic breeds despite having roamed the Kielder area for hundreds of years. This is the first study since the 1970s and is thought that the herd’s ancestors were brought over by man from Mediterranean areas. Mary Gough from the university outlines their mortality rates and hardiness. Staff from Forest Enterprise have been assisting in bringing the herd together. Forest Ranger Gordon Riley has been assisting with the round up, which has been hard work given how the herd is distributed over the area. Scientists from the university’s research centre into land use and water resources will be building up a genetic profile of the goats before releasing them back into the wild. A pond near Gateshead provides a refuge for several wild birds including the heron. For wildlife warden Keith Bowey from Gateshead council it’s a special site where he has been studying the kingfisher. Keith takes notes of his observations for a special research project. One aspect of the kingfisher’s life was remarkable and reinforced that the idea that the name of the bird is most definitely its correct description. He and a colleague put together details of how kingfishers successfully feed over the changing seasons. They excelled at being able to catch as many fish required to feed their voracious appetites. Milder winters have helped in this allowing the birds to thrive. Andrew Friend closes the programme. 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