All language subtitles for Gentle Mountains Wild Marshes The Alpine Foothills

The Zugspitze,
Germany's highest mountain,

lies on the border with Austria.

A towering bastion
at the edge of vast plains.

The steep slopes are a bridge
between two very different,

yet equally spectacular
natural environments,

the mountains and the valleys.

Some locals travel
between the different worlds,

while others have established
a permanent home

and distinctive
behavior patterns.

It is a fascinating,
mysterious region

in which even the moors
appear to breathe deeply.

This is a journey into the
northern foothills of the Alps,

which stretch from Switzerland
in the west over Southern Germany

to the east of Austria.

The landscape can be challenging
even for the robust chamois.

But from its perch on a rocky ridge,
it enjoys an unparalleled view

of an intriguing world
between worlds.

Red deer, 2,400 meters
above sea level.

One of the most spectacular animal
migrations in Central Europe

takes place in September
every year without fail.

Emerging from the various corners
of their mountain habitat,

the large deer congregate
and travel in a single direction,

as though following
some secret command.

Hinds with their calves,
playful young animals,

and the powerful stags
who lead the charge.

They all descend
towards the valley

and the region's
last remaining moors.

It is an event that has
become rare in Europe.

An animal migration from mountain
slopes to swamps and moors,

unimpeded by highways
and human settlements.

Subterranean cast springs
carry crystal clear water

from the mountains to the moors.

The traces of the migrating
animals remain visible

long after they have passed.

Eventually, the red deer
reach their destination,

the foothills of the Alps.

The mountain fauna now mingles
with the animals of the plains,

increasing local biodiversity.

The region is home
to a last few areas of intact,

untouched wilderness.

Light and water combine
to create a magical atmosphere.

Here, far from human influence,

nature's artists create fragile,
yet perfect masterpieces.

A network of seemingly endless trails
carves its way through the region.

It may resemble
Africa's Okavango Delta

or Brazil's Pantanal wetlands,
but it is in fact,

one of the last wide-ranging moor
landscapes in Southern Germany.

The arrival of the red deer after
their long journey

marks the beginning of the
annual rutting season.

(deer bleat)

The Alpine foothills are
a gigantic irrigation system.

Enumerable streams and rivers carry
the valuable water into the valley.

Perhaps the greatest of these water
courses is the Isar,

which originates in Tyrol and flows
through Germany before feeding

into the Danube upon
its return to Austria.

Unregulated, untamed,
and uninterrupted,

the Isar here is defined by
meandering branches and gravel banks.

Water and sediment are carried out
of the mountains and into basins

once created by glaciers.

Over time,
this gave rise to the spectacular

lakes of the Alpine foothills.

Lakes like the Eibsee at the foot
of the majestic Zugspitze mountain.

Nearby, well-hidden and
often inaccessible forests

obscure rivalry and conflict.

In autumn, the season
of hiding and hoarding begins.

Squirrels store seeds and nuts,
particularly hazelnuts and acorns,

throughout the forest.

These stores are designed to get
the rodents through the winter,

but some are forgotten, giving
rise to a new generation of trees.

(squirrel barks)

Someone is standing guard,

♪ (intriguing music)

but the squirrel is unaware
that it is being watched.

Very little of what happens
in the forest escapes

the attentions of the European Jay.

This small bird is related to crows,
ravens, and magpies,

and is similarly
skilled at finding food.

Deception, distraction,
and teamwork are the secrets

of the bird's success.

The Jays join forces to deplete
the squirrel's stores nut by nut.

This strategy displays both
audacity and intelligence.

As the unfortunate squirrels
turn on each other,

the bird waits for the perfect moment
to make off with the very last nut.

The steep slopes of the Alps form
an imposing physical barrier

that prevents some species
from moving into new habitats

and blocks air currents.

Winds, clouds, and fog gather
above the alpine foothills.

The moisture they contain can quickly
transform otherwise dry areas

covered in pine trees,
into lush rainforests.

The mist envelops the slopes,

eventually obscuring every
mountain inhabitants.

(bird caws)

When the mist recedes, the
landscape reveals itself once more.

There is trouble on the horizon.

Cranes tower above the landscape

as humans move closer and
closer to the pristine wilderness.

Built up areas and
infrastructure now cover land

that was once nature's realm.

Animals increasingly
find themselves

confronted by the modern world

and have to adapt to an
ever-changing environment.

(bird calls)

The red kite is an inhabitant
of the plains and valleys,

while the chamois make their
homes in the mountains.

Yet both have had to learn
to live alongside humans.

When the last traces of
mist give way to sunshine

and the soils and rocks grow warmer,
the air currents change.

♪ (delicate orchestral music)

Throughout the Alps,
the resulting thermal updrafts

are welcomed by birds
of prey, including red kites,

black kites, and buzzards.

The aerial predators take
advantage of the warm air currents.

The larger the wings are
in relation to the body,

the faster the birds climb,

often rising between
2 and 5 meters a second.

Within minutes,
the buzzard is carried

thousands of meters into the air,

high above the snowline,

despite expending very little energy.

It then descends again,
soaring over the slopes and forests

towards the valley.
(bird calls)

Forests like the one that
covers the rocky slopes

of the Hohe Wand
Plateau in lower Austria.

At first glance,
it is merely a normal mixed forest.

However, a closer look reveals
some very unusual inhabitants.

Ibex,

and not just any Ibex.

These Ibex are able to climb trees.
♪ (amusing music)

The herd has adapted
to its surroundings.

Unlike their relatives who graze high
above the tree line in the mountains,

these animals seek
out the coniferous trees

that provide a
large part of their diet.

Shaped by evolution,
their hooves are ideally suited

to navigating coarse, angular rocks.

They are far less suited to
round, soft, branches.

It is a challenging balancing act.

And yet, the juicy needles
of the European yew trees

make all the
hard work worth it.

At the eastern edge of the Alps,
the high life of the mountains

collides with the vast
expanse of the lowlands.

This marks the boundary
of ibex territory.

The Pannonian Plain
is visible in the distance,

but the Ibex prefers the
safety of higher ground.

(wind whooshes)

A cold front approaches.

Even now, at the end of February,
winter can return with full force.

More than a meter of snow
falls in just a few hours.

♪ (ethereal orchestral music)

It is the most challenging time
of the year for the red deer.

The animals have to conserve
energy at all costs.

They move slowly through
through the white drifts.

If the snow gets too deep,

they have no choice
but to plow a path.

(water laps)

A stream provides the deer
with a brief respite,

to the misfortune of the underwater
creatures that inhabit it.

Every deer dislodges
stones and gravel,

launching a tiny tsunami
along the stream bed.

This disturbs stonefly
and mayfly larvaves,

destroying their hiding places.

And creating a lavish feast
for white-throated dippers

and grey wagtails.

The meal comes at a cost.

Temperatures far below zero cause
the wagtail's legs to freeze over.

Rich pickings still lie below
the water's surface,

but the little bird gets cold feet.

♪ (merry music)

Some animals welcome the cold snap.

In fact, they appear almost ecstatic.

While the deer can't
wait for the snow to melt,

the stote makes the best
of the unexpected situation.

The animal's fur is white in winter,

providing a measure
of camouflage in the snow.

This stote, however,

seems intent on attracting attention.

Global warming and
fluctuating temperatures

now cause the fresh
snow here to melt quickly.

Within a few days,
the winter wonderland begins to fade.

Soon, the days grow longer
and the soils grow warmer.

Nature takes on a new lease of life.

Spring is most certainly in the air.

A quick wash before
the courtship display

increases the chances of success.

(hollow tapping)

A rhythmic tapping rings out

at the edge of the forest.

Is it a woodpecker?

No, it's the Eurasian nuthatch.

This small bird is
something of an acrobat.

It is the only bird able
to descend a tree headfirst

while tap-tap-tapping
away at the trunk.

Despite its diminutive size,

the Eurasian nuthatch is
remarkably confident and unafraid.

Some might say even cheeky.

Mating season begins,

and the male spends all his time
wooing his intended partner.

It is hard work.

The eventual reward is sweet...

..But short.

Eurasian nuthatches
typically collect clay

and leave it to
dry around the nest.

The birds settle
in abandoned woodpecker nests

or natural hollows in trees,

using the clay to make
the entrance smaller.

♪ (captivating music)

This behavior has never been
captured on camera before.

Each leaf around the entrance
to the nest is carefully removed,

presumably to ensure that the
nuthatch has an unobstructed view

of its surroundings.

Birds of prey could otherwise
use the cover of the leaves

to launch an attack.

For days,
the male defoliates the hazel plant

on his doorstep to ensure
the chicks will be safe in the nest.

Once again,
his acrobatic skills are on display.

Some leaves put up a fight.

While others allow themselves
to be plumped easily.

It is all a matter of practice.

The last leaf has been stripped,

and the bird turns his
attentions to the catkins.

Everything must go.

Eventually, the nuthatch finds
himself sitting in a bare bush.

Time to look for a new pastime.

It is the end of April
in lower Austria's alpine foothills.

Mist covers the rolling landscape,
and the fruit trees are in bloom.

It appears that time
has stopped here.

The Mostviertel region is home
to one of the last of the traditional

meadow orchards,

with scattered fruit trees that date
back decades and even centuries.

It is the perfect habitat for
species that benefit

from human landscape cultivation.

The orchard contains a range
of old fruit varieties

that grow on tall trees.

In the 1950s,

there were around 30 million of
these trees across Austria.

Now, just 4 million remain,

and efforts are underway to designate

them as part of the cultural
heritage to ensure their protection.

These efforts rely heavily
on the region's insects.

Without their winged assistance,
the pear trees would be unable

to produce a single piece of fruit.

Bees also play an important role.

As does the somewhat clumsily named
Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth.

The level of biodiversity
in a particular region also depends

on local cultivation methods.

After the brief blossoming
of the fruit trees,

the insects require flowering meadows

that are ideally allowed
to grow naturally well into summer.

If the insects thrive,
so do the birds.

One of these is the rare little owl.

Other parts of the Alpine
foothills are far less idyllic.

The region is home to a number
of quarries and gravel pits,

where excavators and trucks
generate no end of noise and dust.

However, the machines also
provide an important service

for the local wildlife.

The work produces small puddles,
which are quickly settled

by mosquito larvae.

It may seem strange, but this
creates it's similar conditions

to those found
in floodplain forests.

In the forests,
periodic floods prevent vegetation

taking root permanently.

Here, the excavators
serve the same purpose.

Shallow pools provide perfect
conditions for certain

species to thrive.

Species like the yellow-bellied toad.

From above, the amphibian
is not much to look at,

but the lower body is covered
with striking patches of colour

that serve as a warning
to other species.

♪ (quirky music)

Yellow-bellied toads are also masters
of mosquito population control.

Their methods are simple, effective,
and require very little effort.

The toad sits motionlessly
on the surface

until mosquito larvae
gather near its mouth.

The toad's eyes watch every movement.

As soon as enough larvae have
congregated nearby,

the toad swings into action...

..Sort of.

A minimum of effort
for maximum returns,

which can be repeated
again and again.

Nuptial pads on the forearms of the
male toads are now visibly swollen.

These secondary sexual
characteristics allow the males

to grasp the females.

It is a sign that mating
season is about to begin.

(toad calls)

The distinctive calls should attract
females and keep rival males at bay.

At the peak of toad mating season,
however, all bets are off.

Several males descend on a
single female at once,

an attempt to drive
off the competition.

The next day, the fruits
of the wrestling match

are visible
in the pools of water.

Spawn.

In larger lakes, reproduction
cycles can be significantly longer.

The lake bed is home to
creatures that appear to be

from another planet.

These freshwater mussels
provide an important service.

Each can filter up to 1,000
litres of water a day,

ensuring that the lake remains clean.

Their muscular feet even allow the
mussels to move from place to place.

These fish are loitering with intent

in the vicinity of a
particular mussel.

Bitterlings have entered into
one of the most surreal

symbiotic relationships
in the animal kingdom.

First, the fish get to
know each other

and the freshwater mussel better.

Once the courtship
ritual is complete,

the bitterlings
get down to business.

The female uses her ovipositor,
a long organ used to lay eggs,

to release her eggs
into the freshwater mussel.

Fertilization takes place
within the mussel shell,

which then serves as a nursery
as the young fish develop.

Saving safe from any
potential predators.

The freshwater mussels
are reliable partners.

After all, they can live for up to 15
years and offer a sense of stability.

The Alpine foothills are
characterised by vast stretches

of wilderness, as
well as large areas of land,

cultivated and altered by humans,

sometimes over the
course of centuries.

The vineyards of Lower Austria are
renowned for their incredible wines,

but they also serve another purpose.

When cultivated with
little interference,

they provide the perfect
habitat for certain species.

♪ (contemplative music)

The roebuck has made its home here,

moving carefully among
the vines as it looks for food.

The European hare is also
on a quest for nourishment.

Getting at the leaves requires
a fair amount of stretching.

The steep slopes
between the vineyard terraces

are important refuges
for both plants and animals,

with a high level of biodiversity.

The roebuck leaves its
mark wherever it goes.

♪ (uneasy music)

Nearby, a winemaker heads for home.

Does he pose a danger?

It's better to be safe than sorry.

The roe deer turn and flee,
leaping through the vineyard.

Thanks to their
comparatively small size,

they are able to
duck beneath the vines

and eventually take
cover some distance away.

Unlike red deer,
roe deer do not necessarily

hide from potential danger.

As long as a sufficient
distance is maintained,

the animals are
happy to be observed by others.

As a result, roe deer are
frequently to be seen

roaming cultivated landscapes.

(thunder cracks and rumbles)

A storm comes up with little warning.

Most of the vineyard's
inhabitants immediately seek cover.

The little owl, on the other hand,
visibly enjoys the sudden shower

and the opportunity to cool off.

Down below, the grey partridges wait
impatiently for the rain to pass.

♪ (playful music)

But the little owl takes advantage
of every moment of the downpour

and dances like no one is watching.

But somebody is watching.

From the sidelines,
the chicks look on hungrily

as their parent enjoys the shower
rather than hunting for food.

A rain dance with a rather
unusual choreography.

In this part of the world,
the little owl is one of the few

birds who can put
on a show like this.

It is more often seen among birds
of paradise in tropical rainforests.

Invariably, however,
the curtain falls, or in this case,

the last raindrop.

It is the calm after the storm.

The young owls can now look
forward to a hearty meal.

Usually, the little
owl would hunt mice,

but variety is
the spice of life.

Today, it is the dancing
bird that catches the worm.

There is a moment of hesitation,

as though the owl is considering
what else might be on the menu.

The chicks have learned
a valuable lesson, patience.

It has been a long time since
they have had to wait for their

food to be delivered.

It is late summer.

The land is calm and hot.

Most of the young
birds have taken wing.

In the Alpine foothills
of Lower Austria,

the vineyards are
now a tranquil place to live.

The European hare takes
the opportunity to lay

claim to its surroundings.

It leaves scent marks on the vines.

It's work done,

the hare settles down
for an afternoon nap,

but is kept awake by the calls
of the northern wheatear .

(bird chirps)

A return to the wilderness
of the foothills.

Temperatures can drop rapidly here,
even in early autumn.

(animal calls)

If the cold encounters moisture,

artworks that could only be
created by nature suddenly appear.

♪ (tranquil music)

The next morning reveals
a wonderful world of white.

Where the mist has draped
itself across the slopes,

everything is covered in frost.

It is an early warning
that winter is coming.

For a brief period,
every blade of grass,

every branch, and every tree,

wears its own enchanted
cloak of white crystals.

As autumn progresses,

high mists increasingly descend
on the Alps for days at a time,

all the way from Tyrol
to Lower Austria.

The foothills of the Alps are now
divided

between a lower
monochrome world of grey

and higher elevations
bathed in sunlight.

The sinking temperatures leave their
mark on the region's inhabitants.

Perhaps the most dramatic impact

is the hormonal change
undergone by the stags.

They have spent the summer as part
of a herd with other males,

but now suddenly
become solitary animals.

The males appear from
all over the region,

but they maintain
their distance to others.

The air is filled filled
with stimulating scents,

and every individual
wants to call the shots.

(stag calls)

It is perhaps the most archaic and
distinctive sound in Central Europe.

♪ (music intensifies)
(stag calls)

The roars of the stags echo
through the rolling hills

and across the wild moors.

Perhaps the sound that is heard
throughout this extraordinary

landscape is a warning.

A call to protect the natural
world of the Alpine foothills.

This region is far more than
a boundary between two countries.

It is a place where wilderness
and civilization have joined forces

to create a world almost unparalleled
in Central Europe and beyond.

It is up to us to preserve this
unique landscape for future

generations of human beings
and of the many species that inhabit

the fascinating, magical
world of the Alpine foothills.