The NatureWatch: June 2008

This website exists for the unofficial promotion of natural history films and for the sharing of knowledge around wildlife content production. This site is non-commercial and is not associated with the BBC or any other broadcast organisation

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Video Diary - Oslo on my way to the Arctic

17.6.08

You may have noticed that the Naturewatch updates have slowed a little. This is due to being out of the country filming quite a bit recently. I am currently in Oslo on my way to Svalbard to film Barnacle Geese. If I can get a satellite connection I'll be sending video, text and photos back for the BBC website. See below for my most recent video diary.

If anyone else would like to contribute or add to Naturewatch then please do get in touch.

Labels: NatureWatch, Programme

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Springwatch shines from Norfolk

16.6.08

Since I worked on Britains Goes Wild (the precursor to Springwatch) back in 2005 I have been an avid fan of the annual Springwatch extravaganza on BBC 1. It grows from strength to strength and has been as great as ever this year. The daring decision to move to a new location in Norfolk, from Devon, really paid off with rich live stories from the remote cameras and a fresh new feel to the show. It has been getting big audiences of 3 to 4 million every night - some of the highest on BBC2 for May and June.

The last programmes will be on iPlayer for a few more days so if you haven’t managed to watch I'd encourage anyone with an interest in British Wildlife to watch a couple of episodes: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

The website http://www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch/ is also a world apart from its previous incarnations, flash, easy, and with lots of clickability. Its message boards have really been buzzing and its immediate approach to British wildlife and its interactivity seem "to reach parts" that many other programmes just don’t. eg. see this heartwarming message called "Springwatch Saved My Life" http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbsn/F10211074?thread=5563319

Presenter Kate Humble with two of the stars behind the scenes, producers Tim Scoones and Colin Jackson - Naturewatch salutes you! http://www.hatherleigh.net/Springwatch_2006_index.asp

Labels: NatureWatch, Programme, Spring / Autumnwatch

The move to Pensthorpe in Norfolk may not have been such a daring move as Norfolk has a rich and varied natural environment - as we have seen over the last few weeks.

Comment posted by Andy, at 4:18 PM

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Should we really be scared of the Komodo dragon? Awesome scenes captured for the upcoming BBC series "Life"

10.6.08

By Alastair Fothergill, BBC Natural History Unit Executive, writing for the Mail

"The scent of blood, carried on the air, is caught by more of these monsters lurking in the vicinity and they converge on this act of prehistoric carnage. Before long, 20 lizards, most of them heavier than a fullgrown man, are indulging in an orgy of death and gluttony."

The scene sounds as if it is from Jurassic Park. In fact, it is one of the most extraordinary moments of life in the wild yet captured on camera, and will be shown next year as part of the BBC's major new series, Life, from its Natural History Unit.

read more digg story

Labels: NatureWatch, Programme

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Giant panda sex secrets revealed

7.6.08

The giant panda's courtship and mating sequence - from boisterous beginning to noisy ending - has been filmed in the wild for what may be a TV first.

A BBC Natural History team recorded the magic moments deep in the bamboo forest that lines China's Qinling mountains. "I liken it to Chewbaccas in a pub brawl," explained Gavin Maxwell, the producer of Wild China.

This is not the first time panda sex has been filmed in the wild, but it is thought to be one of the most complete courtship sequences ever caught on camera.
Mr Maxwell described the venture as an eye-opener - to see pandas in a context that is far removed from the shy, placid reputation we traditionally associate with the animals.

"Occasionally, you will be sitting there quietly trying to keep in the background and the males will suddenly come charging out of the bamboo towards you," he explained.