An episode of the Tyne Tees Television series on the wildlife of the north presented by Jonathan Morrell. In the first part of the programme a report on the work of Graeme Skinner in the Northern Pennines who is looking for Slow worms and other reptiles living in the area. Next, at look at the work of National Trust Warden Stephen Bloomfield on the Farne Islands whose job it is to monitor the Grey seals. In the second part of the programme a report from Kielder Forest and the various research...

An episode of the Tyne Tees Television series on the wildlife of the north presented by Jonathan Morrell. In the first part of the programme a report on the work of Graeme Skinner in the Northern Pennines who is looking for Slow worms and other reptiles living in the area. Next, at look at the work of National Trust Warden Stephen Bloomfield on the Farne Islands whose job it is to monitor the Grey seals. In the second part of the programme a report from Kielder Forest and the various research projects being carried out there into owls, field voles and Weasels. The final report comes from Gibside near Gateshead, and the work done by the National Trust to encourage wildlife on the 600-acre site. In this programme Jonathan Morrell visits the Farne Islands, which is the largest breeding colony of grey seals in England, and meets the National Trust warden in charge of the outer islands, Stephen Bloomfield. The Trust's wardens keep a close eye on the seals, especially at breeding time in October and November. Graeme Skinner, from Guisborough in North Yorkshire, explains why he's a fan of the slow worm. They're not worms, and they're not particularly slow either. In fact they're members of the lizard family and have beautiful markings when you get close to them. The programme looks at the research work being carried out in Kielder forest into owls, field voles and weasels. Scientist Isla Graham is carrying out a special study into weasels, the only one of its kind in Britain. She has to set traps to catch these elusive animals alive, so that she can make a note of their size and weight and mark them before releasing them into the wild again. Finally the steps being taken by the National Trust to improve habitats for wildlife at Gibside, the Trust's estate near Newcastle. There are all sorts of birds and animals including owls, herons, deer, foxes and squirrels in the woods and the property manager, Tony Walton, says they are part of the attraction for Gibside visitors. Credits: Presenter Jonathan Morrell 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 MM