1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:04,680 CHIRPING 2 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:17,680 BUZZING 3 00:00:18,680 --> 00:00:22,760 Across the British Isles, there are magical places. 4 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:24,680 Our pride and joy. 5 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:26,160 Our gardens. 6 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:29,320 LAUGHTER 7 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:35,040 Yet many of us are completely unaware of the wild world... 8 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:38,760 ..right under our noses. 9 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:51,920 Amazingly, some British gardens are almost as diverse 10 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:54,040 as a tropical rainforest. 11 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:58,200 And when our backs are turned... 12 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:02,880 CHIRPING 13 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:06,000 ..they come alive. 14 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:07,400 QUACKING 15 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:17,040 From the wilds of Scotland... 16 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:18,680 STAG GRUNTS 17 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:21,280 ..to a metropolitan oasis. 18 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:26,680 In each episode, we will reveal the extraordinary dramas 19 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:29,520 playing out within a single garden. 20 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:32,360 EAGLES WHISTLE 21 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:38,040 Welcome to a hidden world right on our doorsteps. 22 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:03,480 A millhouse has been standing here 23 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:07,760 since the Domesday Book a thousand years ago. 24 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:14,920 Sara and Henry are the latest in a long line of owners. 25 00:02:14,920 --> 00:02:17,760 Well, it's like living on a boat, living in this house, 26 00:02:17,760 --> 00:02:20,440 because, first of all, we are surrounded by water. 27 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:23,520 Water there, the other side water, water front and back, 28 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:25,600 so we are literally marooned. 29 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:30,520 The water presents some unique gardening challenges 30 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:33,280 because this river floods. 31 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:37,560 Are you worried about next week? Well, you never know. 32 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:39,360 Well, this week's fine, 33 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:42,640 but next week there's a lot of rain forecast. 34 00:02:42,640 --> 00:02:44,920 The weather forecast is pretty key to us. 35 00:02:44,920 --> 00:02:48,120 Everything changes if the water gets really, really high. 36 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:52,560 We see about two thirds of our garden disappear under water. 37 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:57,520 With so much of the garden lost to the river, 38 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:02,760 Henry and Sara allow large parts of it to run wild. 39 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:07,880 All of this is flood plain as far as you can see. 40 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:13,440 Over here, the wood and the meadow, which we leave completely wild. 41 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,760 But here and over there, above the flood plain, 42 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:19,760 we try to manage as a garden. 43 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:25,280 The garden is a sanctuary... 44 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:30,360 ..but every animal's chances of survival 45 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:32,520 rise and fall 46 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:35,440 with the ebb and flow of the river. 47 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:39,120 One of the most exciting things that happens here 48 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:42,680 is that you get this flash of blue followed by a whistle, 49 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:45,360 and then there goes a kingfisher. 50 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:04,040 The kingfisher is a much-loved British bird... 51 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:10,000 ..but it first evolved in the jungles of Asia. 52 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:17,920 This male needs to catch 15 fish a day. 53 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:22,120 CHIRPING 54 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:25,280 But in the early spring, the river runs high. 55 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:30,280 It's thick with silt. 56 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:36,560 And things are going to get a lot worse. 57 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:38,280 RUMBLE OF THUNDER 58 00:04:38,280 --> 00:04:40,520 It's just a question of when. 59 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:53,760 Only one in four kingfishers lives for more than a single year. 60 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:00,640 Each failed hunt 61 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:03,040 wastes precious energy. 62 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:14,360 His territory extends for half a mile 63 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:16,760 on each side of the millhouse... 64 00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:21,760 ..so he tries upstream, where it's shallower. 65 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:32,280 Special oils in his eyes reduce the glare from the surface. 66 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:42,760 He hits the water at 25mph. 67 00:05:56,760 --> 00:06:01,840 Here, there should be no problem in catching enough fish for himself. 68 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,040 But a new arrival is eyeing him up. 69 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:10,200 A female. 70 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:15,320 If he is to win her over, he needs to prove 71 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:18,760 that he can provide enough fish for a family. 72 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:23,520 Not easy while the river is high. 73 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:29,000 CHIRPING 74 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:41,160 After the long, wet winter... 75 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:47,280 ..all the garden animals are hungry. 76 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:52,920 But it's not just birds that are drawn to this feeder. 77 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:56,280 HOOTING 78 00:06:58,040 --> 00:06:59,760 BARKING 79 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:09,760 A bank vole. 80 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:15,280 She has spent the winter in a burrow beneath the lawn... 81 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:19,520 ..just above the level of the flood plain. 82 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:27,720 There are around 25 million bank voles in Britain... 83 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:30,840 ..but they're so shy, 84 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:33,720 Henry and Sara rarely see them. 85 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:43,760 Many that hunt them detect them by watching for their movements. 86 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:51,600 When under threat, she normally stays still. 87 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:07,520 But doing that... 88 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:10,840 ..might be dangerous on this lawn. 89 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:12,920 LAWNMOWER WHIRS 90 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:27,840 Robotic lawnmowers are becoming increasingly common. 91 00:08:32,680 --> 00:08:35,800 Many fail to detect small mammals. 92 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:42,280 VOLE SQUEALS 93 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:02,920 To survive in the modern world... 94 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:08,960 ..she must choose her moment with care. 95 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:19,200 LAWNMOWER STOPS 96 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:38,520 Bank voles aren't the only animals 97 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:41,920 that wait for nightfall to look for food. 98 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:52,320 Underneath the TV room, 99 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:56,040 the old mill channel has become home 100 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:58,760 to the garden's top predator. 101 00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:06,040 An otter. 102 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:15,680 In the 30 years Henry and Sara have lived here... 103 00:10:15,680 --> 00:10:17,920 TELEVISION: About 98mm through the day... 104 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:21,040 ..they've only seen one three times. 105 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:31,720 She catches over a kilo of fish every night. 106 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:41,520 But as the seasons change, 107 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:43,280 so does her diet. 108 00:10:45,280 --> 00:10:47,040 SQUAWKING 109 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:51,560 HOOTING 110 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:55,280 One garden resident... 111 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:58,280 QUACKING 112 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:00,160 ..is much bolder. 113 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:02,640 QUACKING 114 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:08,440 Mallards are the most common of Britain's 22 species of duck. 115 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:15,040 Henry and Sara have an affectionate name for one regular visitor. 116 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:18,080 Doris. 117 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:26,280 But this "sweet little duck"... 118 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:28,320 QUACKING 119 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:34,040 ..is the garden's resident heartbreaker. 120 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:40,280 With their iridescent good looks, 121 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:45,520 these males are all trying to catch her eye. 122 00:11:49,680 --> 00:11:51,680 But she wants... 123 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:57,040 ..to assess their strength. 124 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:02,400 QUACKING AND SQUAWKING 125 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:27,760 One by one, the lightweights are dismissed. 126 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:35,480 The female nods her head, 127 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:37,760 signalling her approval. 128 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:03,800 She has picked her partner. 129 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:23,480 Now she needs a place to nest. 130 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:30,920 Not easy to find in this garden. 131 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:42,520 As the days get longer... 132 00:13:47,520 --> 00:13:53,160 ..the otter's diet shifts to larger, plumper prey. 133 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:58,040 FRENZIED QUACKING 134 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:16,920 Mallards usually nest on the ground. 135 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:24,000 But, here, Doris has a safer choice. 136 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:32,040 This pollarded willow will do nicely. 137 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:36,600 And just in time. 138 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:38,560 CRACK OF THUNDER 139 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:48,760 The April showers have arrived. 140 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:58,760 The river rises surprisingly fast. 141 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:04,600 Almost a metre in 24 hours. 142 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:09,680 Those that have nested low 143 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:12,520 have already lost their eggs. 144 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:18,520 When the weather clears, 145 00:15:18,520 --> 00:15:21,120 the waters quickly recede, 146 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:24,960 making it easier for the resident kingfisher 147 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:26,920 to resume hunting. 148 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:41,760 He can now afford to share his catch. 149 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,600 And one minnow at a time... 150 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:59,280 ..he is winning her over. 151 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:05,280 LAWNMOWER ENGINE RUMBLES 152 00:16:31,520 --> 00:16:33,480 After mating... 153 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:39,240 ..the pair begin digging a metre-long burrow. 154 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:49,280 But it's only just above the waterline. 155 00:16:54,040 --> 00:16:55,880 As Sara mows, 156 00:16:55,880 --> 00:17:01,040 she leaves the verge intact to prevent the river eroding the bank. 157 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:05,720 But if it rains heavily... 158 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:10,280 ..the kingfisher's family home 159 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:12,600 could be washed away. 160 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:30,800 For four long weeks, all on her own, 161 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:34,040 Doris has barely left her nest. 162 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:48,520 She has been quietly incubating a clutch of nine eggs. 163 00:17:50,760 --> 00:17:54,280 She laid each of them on a different day. 164 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:03,040 But to survive, they must hatch at the same time. 165 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:09,920 CHIRPING 166 00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:13,520 Remarkably, they talk to each other... 167 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:18,840 ..from inside the egg... 168 00:18:23,360 --> 00:18:27,040 ..and so co-ordinate their hatching. 169 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:46,440 Over just a few hours... 170 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:49,080 CHIRPING 171 00:18:50,760 --> 00:18:54,520 ..nine new lives begin to appear. 172 00:18:57,040 --> 00:19:01,000 But without a father to bring them food, 173 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:04,680 the mother must lead her flightless babies 174 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:06,560 down from the nest. 175 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:21,440 CHIRPING 176 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:26,520 Less than 24 hours after hatching... 177 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:31,240 SHE QUACKS 178 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:33,560 ..one small step... 179 00:19:35,680 --> 00:19:38,440 QUACKING AND CHIRPING 180 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:41,040 ..becomes a giant leap. 181 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:55,680 Their downy feathers cushion their fall. 182 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:23,040 CHIRPING 183 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:42,040 Doris hurries them all into hiding. 184 00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:47,960 Garden predators will be hard to avoid. 185 00:21:03,120 --> 00:21:05,040 LAWNMOWER WHIRS 186 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:22,360 High and dry on the lawn, 187 00:21:22,360 --> 00:21:26,680 the vole has survived a wet spring... 188 00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:33,040 ..and new opportunities are opening up just upstream. 189 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:42,760 The garden's woodland is drying out. 190 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:53,760 Henry is creating a huge log pile. 191 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:08,040 In doing so, 192 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:13,040 he creates a new haven for wildlife. 193 00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:25,040 A hideout for the vole. 194 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:39,520 There is more food for her here than on the lawn. 195 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:44,680 And she's not alone. 196 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:49,560 SQUEAKING 197 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:53,040 A male, attracted by her scent. 198 00:23:00,760 --> 00:23:04,280 Their time together may be brief... 199 00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:09,440 SQUEAKING 200 00:23:10,440 --> 00:23:14,520 ..but as long as the woods stay dry... 201 00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:18,680 ..there could be a litter of pups 202 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:20,840 in just three weeks. 203 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:43,040 After a week in hiding... 204 00:23:44,040 --> 00:23:48,280 ..Doris is ready to bring her ducklings into the open. 205 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:57,560 She wants to lead them to better feeding grounds... 206 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:01,520 ..just upstream from the mill. 207 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:07,280 But to get there, they must cross the open lawn. 208 00:24:14,120 --> 00:24:16,320 SHE CHIRPS 209 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:21,400 It's a bold move. 210 00:24:24,360 --> 00:24:27,280 RED KITE WHISTLES 211 00:24:28,600 --> 00:24:32,040 Oxfordshire has one of the highest densities 212 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:33,960 of red kites in Britain. 213 00:24:36,760 --> 00:24:39,960 They are usually scavengers, 214 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:43,040 but they will take a baby bird. 215 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:45,040 QUACKING AND CHIRPING 216 00:25:03,680 --> 00:25:08,800 Just one in three ducklings make it to adulthood. 217 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:11,040 QUACKING 218 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:16,680 Not great odds for a mother of nine. 219 00:25:20,280 --> 00:25:22,440 RADIO: This heavy rain swirling round 220 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:24,760 is gradually going to sink further south. 221 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:31,120 The river here is not as safe as it may look. 222 00:25:41,280 --> 00:25:44,080 Just downstream from the ducks... 223 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:48,040 ..hidden away in their burrow... 224 00:25:51,760 --> 00:25:55,280 ..the kingfishers also have a growing family. 225 00:25:58,280 --> 00:26:00,920 Only two days old. 226 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:08,520 The parents take it in turns to provide food. 227 00:26:14,760 --> 00:26:19,520 Fortunately, the river is now low and crystal clear. 228 00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:44,280 With six tiny mouths to feed... 229 00:26:47,040 --> 00:26:52,040 ..the parents need to catch over 100 minnows a day. 230 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:10,280 But if the water level rises, 231 00:27:10,280 --> 00:27:12,760 the chicks could drown. 232 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:23,040 For now, at least, the weather stays dry. 233 00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:30,480 A sunny May bank holiday. 234 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:33,520 An excellent time for a party. 235 00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:35,640 CHATTER AND LAUGHTER 236 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:40,760 The lengthening days and soaring temperatures 237 00:27:40,760 --> 00:27:43,840 trigger another kind of gathering 238 00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:46,760 that starts out of sight. 239 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:58,200 This tiny mayfly nymph has spent two years underwater. 240 00:28:06,520 --> 00:28:10,040 The time has come to make a break for the surface. 241 00:28:13,760 --> 00:28:18,120 Out in the open, she is exposed. 242 00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:30,040 A larval damselfly is on the hunt. 243 00:28:32,280 --> 00:28:34,520 Fortunately for her, 244 00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:37,440 there is safety in numbers. 245 00:28:44,960 --> 00:28:47,520 But not for everyone. 246 00:28:57,040 --> 00:29:01,040 At the surface, she sheds her exoskeleton... 247 00:29:02,040 --> 00:29:05,280 ..and spreads a set of wings. 248 00:29:10,040 --> 00:29:12,400 Her destination... 249 00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:14,320 ..the lawn. 250 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:20,760 Here, males are dancing. 251 00:29:22,560 --> 00:29:26,040 Competing to catch the eye of a female. 252 00:29:28,760 --> 00:29:32,760 It's a glorious sign of the arrival of summer. 253 00:29:36,760 --> 00:29:39,760 But she is late for the party... 254 00:29:44,520 --> 00:29:49,200 ..and she needs to get past the deadly damselflies. 255 00:29:56,040 --> 00:29:58,280 Others try their luck. 256 00:30:06,760 --> 00:30:11,000 Damselflies are exceptional predators 257 00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:14,880 with a 95% hunting success rate. 258 00:30:20,360 --> 00:30:22,760 Time to make her move. 259 00:30:36,760 --> 00:30:37,800 Safe... 260 00:30:39,800 --> 00:30:42,920 ..but she's not yet ready for the dance. 261 00:30:48,280 --> 00:30:51,760 Mayflies are the only winged insects 262 00:30:51,760 --> 00:30:55,280 to undergo a second adult moult. 263 00:31:07,840 --> 00:31:11,240 Time to join the throng. 264 00:31:55,280 --> 00:31:58,720 Mayflies mate on the wing, 265 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:01,640 then fly together... 266 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:04,680 ..back to the river... 267 00:32:08,040 --> 00:32:11,760 ..where the female lays her eggs. 268 00:32:30,520 --> 00:32:34,040 After just one day as an adult... 269 00:32:35,320 --> 00:32:37,760 ..her life is over. 270 00:32:40,520 --> 00:32:42,560 In death, 271 00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:46,760 she and countless others... 272 00:32:49,720 --> 00:32:53,160 ..become food for the next generation. 273 00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:15,760 In the woods... 274 00:33:19,560 --> 00:33:22,040 ..Henry's log pile... 275 00:33:23,520 --> 00:33:27,040 ..has become a nursery for the bank vole. 276 00:33:29,800 --> 00:33:33,880 Smaller than a Jelly Baby and completely blind... 277 00:33:37,760 --> 00:33:41,040 ..her pups are defenceless... 278 00:33:45,280 --> 00:33:48,200 ..so the mother keeps watch. 279 00:34:04,760 --> 00:34:06,200 A grass snake. 280 00:34:08,040 --> 00:34:10,520 At one-and-a-half metres long... 281 00:34:12,040 --> 00:34:14,960 ..it's Britain's largest reptile. 282 00:34:36,880 --> 00:34:41,040 By resting its lower jaw on the ground, 283 00:34:41,040 --> 00:34:45,040 it can detect the tiniest vibrations. 284 00:34:48,600 --> 00:34:50,280 VOLE SQUEALS 285 00:34:54,040 --> 00:34:58,360 Its forked tongue can smell in stereo... 286 00:35:02,720 --> 00:35:07,040 ..pinpointing the scent coming from the nest. 287 00:35:21,520 --> 00:35:24,280 The female has no option... 288 00:35:26,880 --> 00:35:29,520 ..but to move her babies... 289 00:35:32,400 --> 00:35:34,760 ..one by one. 290 00:36:11,680 --> 00:36:15,040 Deep inside the log pile, 291 00:36:15,040 --> 00:36:17,760 her family is safe. 292 00:36:34,400 --> 00:36:36,280 BUZZING 293 00:36:36,280 --> 00:36:39,400 It hasn't rained in weeks... 294 00:36:42,520 --> 00:36:45,480 ..and the river is at its lowest. 295 00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:54,920 Its calm water allows brandy bottle lilies to flower. 296 00:36:58,120 --> 00:37:01,760 Their alcoholic scent attracts insects. 297 00:37:02,760 --> 00:37:05,520 Food for the growing ducklings. 298 00:37:10,560 --> 00:37:13,280 They are now six weeks old. 299 00:37:13,280 --> 00:37:18,440 Amazingly, Doris has managed to keep all nine alive. 300 00:37:36,680 --> 00:37:39,640 FRENZIED CHIRPING 301 00:37:39,640 --> 00:37:41,760 An alarm call. 302 00:37:43,040 --> 00:37:45,480 Predator nearby. 303 00:37:54,040 --> 00:37:56,040 SQUAWKING 304 00:38:01,280 --> 00:38:05,360 Doris' instinct is to retreat to water. 305 00:38:12,040 --> 00:38:15,040 But she's leading her family 306 00:38:15,040 --> 00:38:17,280 into harm's way. 307 00:38:31,440 --> 00:38:33,520 FRENZIED QUACKING 308 00:38:56,760 --> 00:38:59,760 The ducklings are still too young to fly... 309 00:39:07,760 --> 00:39:12,000 ..so Doris puts her own life on the line... 310 00:39:13,480 --> 00:39:15,760 ..acting as a decoy. 311 00:39:24,840 --> 00:39:26,680 FRENZIED QUACKING 312 00:39:38,520 --> 00:39:41,520 Remarkably, it works... 313 00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:57,280 ..and the otter has to settle for something smaller. 314 00:40:01,280 --> 00:40:04,280 Sara and Henry have little idea 315 00:40:04,280 --> 00:40:07,040 what a resourceful mother Doris is... 316 00:40:12,280 --> 00:40:16,520 ..successfully raising all nine ducklings. 317 00:40:29,600 --> 00:40:31,520 CHIRPING 318 00:40:35,040 --> 00:40:39,800 In midsummer, the young voles leave their log pile home... 319 00:40:47,040 --> 00:40:50,520 ..and disperse across the garden 320 00:40:50,520 --> 00:40:55,920 to make the most of fruit ripened by the long, sunny days. 321 00:41:06,680 --> 00:41:10,040 But when the light eventually fades... 322 00:41:15,040 --> 00:41:19,040 ..the garden's nocturnal world is revealed 323 00:41:19,040 --> 00:41:21,200 by heat-sensitive cameras. 324 00:41:28,520 --> 00:41:33,040 It's a world Henry and Sara know little about. 325 00:41:33,040 --> 00:41:35,040 HOOTING 326 00:41:46,040 --> 00:41:51,760 Mice and shrews hunt for bugs around and even on the house. 327 00:42:01,040 --> 00:42:03,520 A miniature clean-up crew... 328 00:42:05,280 --> 00:42:10,760 ..supported by an aerial team of bats. 329 00:42:13,040 --> 00:42:16,040 Six of Britain's 18 species 330 00:42:16,040 --> 00:42:20,520 are regularly attracted to the insects in our gardens. 331 00:42:20,520 --> 00:42:22,360 CLICKING 332 00:42:31,760 --> 00:42:34,720 Daubenton's bats thrive 333 00:42:34,720 --> 00:42:37,560 on the abundance of river insects. 334 00:42:41,520 --> 00:42:43,360 CLICKING 335 00:42:48,680 --> 00:42:53,360 A single bat can catch 3,000 a night. 336 00:43:17,280 --> 00:43:20,160 As often happens in British summers... 337 00:43:21,760 --> 00:43:24,960 ..this one ends abruptly. 338 00:43:24,960 --> 00:43:27,040 CRACK OF THUNDER 339 00:43:35,040 --> 00:43:38,040 Autumn has arrived early. 340 00:43:43,760 --> 00:43:47,040 These are the first heavy rains. 341 00:43:55,040 --> 00:43:58,280 But this year is different. 342 00:43:58,280 --> 00:44:01,400 RADIO: There are a number of flood warnings in place. 343 00:44:01,400 --> 00:44:05,040 Some of the heaviest of the rain across central and southern England. 344 00:44:05,040 --> 00:44:08,680 Oxfordshire as a whole is seeing its wettest September on record. 345 00:44:12,680 --> 00:44:17,040 Rain that falls over miles of countryside 346 00:44:17,040 --> 00:44:22,280 is channelled between river banks just a few metres apart. 347 00:44:24,280 --> 00:44:28,480 The river is now dangerously close to the kingfisher's burrow. 348 00:44:29,480 --> 00:44:31,520 SQUAWKING 349 00:44:33,720 --> 00:44:38,040 The chicks will drown if the water floods their home. 350 00:44:47,280 --> 00:44:51,040 Water from upstream continues to arrive... 351 00:44:52,320 --> 00:44:56,400 ..until the river bursts its banks... 352 00:44:58,280 --> 00:45:01,520 ..and spreads into the woods. 353 00:45:04,520 --> 00:45:07,920 The bank vole's young may have already left, 354 00:45:07,920 --> 00:45:12,280 but now she needs to abandon her summer home. 355 00:45:19,520 --> 00:45:22,760 She has a mental map of her territory... 356 00:45:28,800 --> 00:45:32,320 ..but many landmarks have been lost. 357 00:45:32,320 --> 00:45:35,960 At least she knows her destination. 358 00:45:36,960 --> 00:45:40,520 The highest point in the garden - the lawn. 359 00:45:44,600 --> 00:45:47,720 Bank voles avoid water. 360 00:46:20,520 --> 00:46:22,840 Eventually... 361 00:46:22,840 --> 00:46:25,280 ..she gets back to the lawn. 362 00:46:32,040 --> 00:46:35,320 She can stay dry here 363 00:46:35,320 --> 00:46:40,280 because the rising water spills out over the flood plain 364 00:46:40,280 --> 00:46:42,320 and into the surrounding fields. 365 00:46:46,680 --> 00:46:49,040 It's a natural defence 366 00:46:49,040 --> 00:46:53,320 that has protected the millhouse for a thousand years... 367 00:46:54,600 --> 00:46:59,520 ..and keeps the waterline just below the kingfisher's nest. 368 00:47:02,360 --> 00:47:05,040 The chicks are now so big... 369 00:47:06,040 --> 00:47:08,920 ..there is barely enough room to move. 370 00:47:11,200 --> 00:47:13,520 It's time to get out. 371 00:47:19,040 --> 00:47:20,760 One leaves. 372 00:47:23,280 --> 00:47:27,680 And Dad uses treats to tempt out the others. 373 00:47:44,040 --> 00:47:48,280 But one stubborn chick is refusing to budge. 374 00:47:57,680 --> 00:48:00,040 He takes some convincing. 375 00:48:07,040 --> 00:48:09,040 Dad's patience... 376 00:48:12,040 --> 00:48:13,400 ..eventually... 377 00:48:14,840 --> 00:48:15,880 ..pays off. 378 00:48:18,880 --> 00:48:25,400 Fully fledged, the young males begin to flex their territorial muscles. 379 00:48:30,080 --> 00:48:35,760 These shy birds are so caught up in their own world, 380 00:48:35,760 --> 00:48:39,600 they don't notice someone is watching. 381 00:48:45,520 --> 00:48:48,600 The kingfishers are really, really special, 382 00:48:48,600 --> 00:48:52,040 and to see them in the most incredible tussle, 383 00:48:52,040 --> 00:48:54,280 which I had never seen before, 384 00:48:54,280 --> 00:48:57,040 I just feel very lucky to have seen it. 385 00:49:03,520 --> 00:49:05,600 This place is a sort of throwback 386 00:49:05,600 --> 00:49:08,480 because you have wildlife congregating in a way 387 00:49:08,480 --> 00:49:12,000 that you just don't see in many other places. 388 00:49:13,920 --> 00:49:16,120 We certainly don't own the house. 389 00:49:16,120 --> 00:49:19,760 The kingfishers have been here much longer than us, 390 00:49:19,760 --> 00:49:22,520 and we just hope we don't get in their way. 391 00:49:29,040 --> 00:49:32,360 At a time when many of our rivers are struggling 392 00:49:32,360 --> 00:49:34,760 with poor water quality, 393 00:49:34,760 --> 00:49:38,000 Henry and Sara's approach to gardening... 394 00:49:39,000 --> 00:49:41,720 ..letting much of their garden run wild... 395 00:49:43,040 --> 00:49:48,320 ..means that this is one of this river's wildlife hot spots. 396 00:49:50,280 --> 00:49:53,240 Yet for all its abundance... 397 00:49:54,240 --> 00:49:57,920 ..they catch only fleeting glimpses. 398 00:50:06,760 --> 00:50:11,480 Now, as the young seek homes of their own... 399 00:50:13,760 --> 00:50:17,760 ..the kingfisher will be seen once again... 400 00:50:22,040 --> 00:50:25,760 ..as little more than a flash of blue. 401 00:50:42,760 --> 00:50:46,040 Of all the animals in this river garden... 402 00:50:47,760 --> 00:50:51,480 ..the most challenging to film proved to be the otter. 403 00:50:52,480 --> 00:50:54,920 They are extremely shy 404 00:50:54,920 --> 00:50:58,040 and can spend much of their time underwater. 405 00:51:01,040 --> 00:51:03,760 Undeterred, the team has high hopes 406 00:51:03,760 --> 00:51:08,680 of revealing the otters' private lives to Sara and Henry. 407 00:51:10,520 --> 00:51:14,480 Fortunately, they have a head start 408 00:51:14,480 --> 00:51:18,680 thanks to Henry setting up remote wildlife cameras. 409 00:51:19,680 --> 00:51:24,280 Valuable knowledge for wildlife cinematographer Sam Oakes. 410 00:51:24,280 --> 00:51:27,280 So sweet. They are. He is. So small. 411 00:51:27,280 --> 00:51:30,680 I know that they are quite elusive. How often have you seen them? 412 00:51:30,680 --> 00:51:34,520 Well, we've been here for 30 years and I've seen them twice. 413 00:51:35,520 --> 00:51:38,600 Wow. Very elusive, then. SAM LAUGHS 414 00:51:40,280 --> 00:51:45,280 Henry's cameras only offer a snapshot of the otters' lives, 415 00:51:45,280 --> 00:51:49,280 so Sam has brought equipment usually deployed 416 00:51:49,280 --> 00:51:52,000 in more exotic locations. 417 00:51:52,000 --> 00:51:54,760 So we're going to need everything we can on our side, 418 00:51:54,760 --> 00:51:56,640 including this super-long lens. 419 00:51:56,640 --> 00:51:59,520 Normally, these would be used on African film shoots 420 00:51:59,520 --> 00:52:01,120 in the Serengeti, 421 00:52:01,120 --> 00:52:04,280 so it's quite nice to be using it in a garden in Oxfordshire. 422 00:52:07,960 --> 00:52:11,920 Sam and assistant producer Matt Tomlinson 423 00:52:11,920 --> 00:52:16,760 are looking for signs of otters to decide on a filming location. 424 00:52:16,760 --> 00:52:19,200 I think they're using this tree. 425 00:52:19,200 --> 00:52:21,520 And it looks like they've pooed down here. 426 00:52:21,520 --> 00:52:23,680 An otter poo is actually called spraint, 427 00:52:23,680 --> 00:52:26,920 and you can see some scales in there, so it's obviously feeding 428 00:52:26,920 --> 00:52:29,400 around here, hunting - that's a really good sign. 429 00:52:33,040 --> 00:52:36,520 While Matt is perched safely on the river bank... 430 00:52:40,520 --> 00:52:44,760 ..Sam wants to immerse himself in the otters' world. 431 00:52:44,760 --> 00:52:47,840 Welcome to my flooded office. 432 00:52:47,840 --> 00:52:49,840 I'm sat on a chair in the river. 433 00:52:49,840 --> 00:52:54,040 It's 20 degrees outside, but really cold sat in this water. 434 00:52:55,280 --> 00:52:57,720 Let's see if I can last long enough. 435 00:52:58,720 --> 00:53:03,520 Luckily for Sam, Sara is on hand with refreshments. 436 00:53:03,520 --> 00:53:07,320 I don't even know where he is. Sam, would you like a cup of tea? 437 00:53:08,760 --> 00:53:10,040 Yes, please! 438 00:53:14,280 --> 00:53:16,200 Three days in, 439 00:53:16,200 --> 00:53:19,280 and still no sign of otters. 440 00:53:22,760 --> 00:53:26,840 But another river garden character has made an appearance. 441 00:53:26,840 --> 00:53:29,640 The kingfisher has just landed 442 00:53:29,640 --> 00:53:32,240 in a tree in front of me. 443 00:53:32,240 --> 00:53:34,760 Hopefully, it comes out into the open. 444 00:53:39,680 --> 00:53:42,680 Now it's just flown past and landed behind my hide. 445 00:53:43,680 --> 00:53:45,360 Not quite going to plan. 446 00:53:46,520 --> 00:53:48,120 To make matters worse, 447 00:53:48,120 --> 00:53:51,800 the year turns out to be the wettest on record. 448 00:53:59,040 --> 00:54:01,520 It's more than just an annoyance. 449 00:54:01,520 --> 00:54:04,000 We have to be really careful filming 450 00:54:04,000 --> 00:54:05,960 because the river can rise so quickly. 451 00:54:05,960 --> 00:54:09,680 We can lose equipment if we don't get it out of the river in time. 452 00:54:11,040 --> 00:54:14,000 The rain eventually stops. 453 00:54:15,000 --> 00:54:17,520 But still no otters. 454 00:54:17,520 --> 00:54:21,360 So it's the fifth day looking for otters, 455 00:54:21,360 --> 00:54:24,480 and nothing so far. 456 00:54:24,480 --> 00:54:29,800 To pass the time, Matt turns his attention to Doris - 457 00:54:29,800 --> 00:54:33,240 Henry and Sara's resident mallard. 458 00:54:33,240 --> 00:54:36,520 I just saw a ripple. 459 00:54:36,520 --> 00:54:39,000 It's a bit too big... 460 00:54:39,000 --> 00:54:40,960 ..to be a fish. 461 00:54:40,960 --> 00:54:43,000 And then... 462 00:54:43,000 --> 00:54:44,040 There's an otter. 463 00:54:47,520 --> 00:54:49,480 It's really charging them. 464 00:54:50,920 --> 00:54:53,000 FRENZIED QUACKING 465 00:54:56,280 --> 00:55:01,280 Sadly for Sam, the action is nowhere near his sunken hide. 466 00:55:05,840 --> 00:55:09,000 But Matt is able to capture something 467 00:55:09,000 --> 00:55:13,520 rarely filmed before - in a garden of all places. 468 00:55:14,520 --> 00:55:16,040 Amazing! 469 00:55:18,280 --> 00:55:22,040 Fortunately, Sam isn't going home empty-handed. 470 00:55:23,600 --> 00:55:26,800 I've got a kingfisher just outside my hide. 471 00:55:32,560 --> 00:55:34,520 It's so fast. 472 00:55:34,520 --> 00:55:38,680 The speed it hits the surface at is absolutely amazing. 473 00:55:39,680 --> 00:55:43,200 The team's patience on the river has paid off 474 00:55:43,200 --> 00:55:47,280 and Sam is ready to reveal to Henry and Sara 475 00:55:47,280 --> 00:55:50,480 the secret lives of the animals in their garden. 476 00:55:50,480 --> 00:55:52,520 Oh! Oh, wow! 477 00:55:52,520 --> 00:55:55,560 Look at those whiskers. Oh, this is brilliant. 478 00:55:55,560 --> 00:55:58,840 I mean, it's sort of Jaws all over again. 479 00:55:58,840 --> 00:56:00,960 But with an otter this time. Mm. 480 00:56:00,960 --> 00:56:02,560 That was amazing. 481 00:56:02,560 --> 00:56:04,680 You just don't see these things 482 00:56:04,680 --> 00:56:07,520 unless you have this fabulous photography going on. 483 00:56:07,520 --> 00:56:11,120 The approach you take to gardening, which in some areas of the garden 484 00:56:11,120 --> 00:56:13,920 is a bit more hands off... Yes. ..is really beneficial 485 00:56:13,920 --> 00:56:16,680 to the wildlife in the area. It isn't manicured, 486 00:56:16,680 --> 00:56:20,200 it's not got beautifully gorgeous herbaceous borders. 487 00:56:20,200 --> 00:56:23,160 It's a good excuse not to do masses of gardening! 488 00:56:25,160 --> 00:56:29,520 Henry and Sara have done their bit to preserve the wild nature 489 00:56:29,520 --> 00:56:31,080 of this garden. 490 00:56:32,760 --> 00:56:36,360 Now, having learned more about the lives of its animals... 491 00:56:38,200 --> 00:56:41,520 ..they have decided to redouble their efforts 492 00:56:41,520 --> 00:56:45,040 to protect their garden for generations to come. 493 00:56:50,760 --> 00:56:55,400 Next time, a city garden in the heart of Bristol... 494 00:56:57,040 --> 00:57:01,640 ..where intrepid animals find remarkable ways... 495 00:57:03,600 --> 00:57:05,920 ..to live among us. 496 00:57:10,480 --> 00:57:13,040 Discover the wildlife on your doorstep 497 00:57:13,040 --> 00:57:14,840 with the Open University's 498 00:57:14,840 --> 00:57:17,760 Secret Garden interactive experience. 499 00:57:17,760 --> 00:57:22,040 Scan the QR code on the screen now 500 00:57:22,040 --> 00:57:30,440 or head to connect.open.ac.uk/secretgarden. 501 00:57:30,490 --> 00:57:35,040 Repair and Synchronization by Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0