The final episode of the Tyne Tees Television series on the wildlife of the north presented by Kim Inglis. In the first report a look at the restless and inquisitive Stoat that lives on a remote Northumberland moor and the research being carried out on the mammal by Robbie MacDonald of the Game Conservancy Trust. Next, to the banks of the River South Tyne near Haydon Bridge in Northumberland where Bryan Galloway is studying the Sand martins which nest there. After the break, a visit to a...

The final episode of the Tyne Tees Television series on the wildlife of the north presented by Kim Inglis. In the first report a look at the restless and inquisitive Stoat that lives on a remote Northumberland moor and the research being carried out on the mammal by Robbie MacDonald of the Game Conservancy Trust. Next, to the banks of the River South Tyne near Haydon Bridge in Northumberland where Bryan Galloway is studying the Sand martins which nest there. After the break, a visit to a former quarry now nature reserve at Walltown near Greenhead in Northumberland and the variety of plant and animal life that lives there today. Finally, to a nature reserve near Lanchester in County Durham where Michael Mann is records the various spiders that live there assisted by teacher Gen Batey. Michael explains the origins of the nursery rhyme 'Little Miss Muffet' which is sung by pupils of Shincliffe Primary School. Title: Wild North Kim Inglis introduces the programme and provides a summary of the content. The first section looks at the stoat in Northumberland. Robbie Macdonald of the Game Conservancy Trust, who is studying the effect of stoats on the population of wading birds. Mostly stoats feed on rabbit but will also take smaller rodents, game bird chicks and eggs which is the main concern for Robbie. Robbie shows Kim a device he and his team use to find out how many stoats there are in any given area, the device essentially captures foot prints on paper. Robbie checks a couple of traps, but no stoat prints are found. Robbie talks to Kim about the stoats and how they live. They don’t build their own burrows; they usually inhabit a prey’s burrow. Robbie’s research on the effect the stoat has on the bird population will take a couple of years, which he looks forward to as he says he often finds out surprising aspects of a stoat’s life he never knew. Birds are the topic of the next section, in particular the sand martin. The film shows the characteristic holes made by the birds in a sand cliff where the visiting birds breed in the summer. Brian Galloway of the Northumberland Bird Club has studied sand martins for over forty years, usually at a favourite spot near Haydon Bridge on the South Tyne River. He explains to Kim how they make the nesting holes in the cliffs, and he talks about their lifestyles and feeding habits as they are mainly insectivorous and need to nest near open water. Title: Wild North The next part of the programme section looks at Walltown Craggs near Greenhead, West Northumberland now a wildlife haven but formerly a quarry. Derek Proudlock of Northumberland National Park describes the nature reserve and the work that goes on to maintain it as a wildlife habitat. Suitable trees have been planted that are used to the exposed environment and a variety of grasses have been planted but mostly it is in the hands of nature to develop. Derek shows Kim orchids which have grown in one of the marsh areas. The final section of the programme looks at spiders. A group of schoolchildren recite a nursery rhyme ‘Incy Wincy Spider’. Michael Mann an enthusiast talks about spiders and the fear felt by many people, which he thinks is a result of a negative portrayal of spiders passed on from adult to child. Michael spends time at a Lanchester nature reserve in Durham recording species he finds. He goes on to describe the general features of spiders, members of the arachnid family of animals. The schoolchildren recite another nursery rhyme, Little Miss Muffet. Michael explains the origins of the nursery rhyme. Another spider enthusiast is teacher Gen Batey, both Michael and Gen are part of a local wildlife group. Gen uses a fine net which she sweeps through the long grass to capture spiders. A reluctant participant at first, she now has developed a real interest in spiders. Michael says not much research is being done into these creatures, and the amateur enthusiast can contribute so much to increase the knowledge of what he considers to be fascinating animals. Credits: Presenter Kim Inglis Camera Lee Sutterby Music John Cook Graphics Jon King Dubbing Mixer Andy Ludbrook Editor David Hindmarsh Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth Producer Charles Bowden. © Tyne Tees Television 2003 A CBTV production for Tyne Tees Television. Granada