Saving Species

Every 2 seconds another child is born. The human population is now over 7 billion and is projected to rise to 9 billion by 2050. All these people will need food, water, energy and materials, is that possible? If everyone in the world lived like us in the UK, even at the present level of population, we would need 4 planet's worth of resources to sustain our lifestyles, and as the world gets wealthier and more people attain a western lifestyle, where will those resources come from?

How can a burgeoning population really live with a flourishing natural world?

Not only will more wetlands be drained, more forests destroyed for agriculture and the seas fished even more, the distribution of resources will be unevenly spread around the world. How will this affect us all in the years to come?

Or is another way possible, where we let go of the systems that drive the processes that destroy nature and learn to live with the natural world, which will mean making sacrifices?

Sustaining Life takes the issue of the human population and nature head on.

The speakers are:

Shiva Vandana - an environmentalist from India;
Jacqueline McGlade - Executive Director of the European Environment Agency;
Aubrey Manning - Emeritus Professor of Natural History, University of Edinburgh;
Jon Bridle, Evolutionary Biologist, Cabot Institute, University of Bristol.

There are guest performances by writer ALK and poet, Miles Chambers.

Saving Species news reporter Kelvin Boot will be presenting some of the themes.

And questions from some of the 800 members of the public who attended the recording of the programme.

Chair Brett Westwood
Producer Mary Colwell
Editor Julian Hector.

The wildlife conservation programme Saving Species discusses human population and nature.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We also start our year-long reporting from Australia with Koalas. We hear from ABC reporter Kim Kleidon who has visited a Koala sanctuary for us and Brett interviews Koala Biologist Bill Ellis from the University of Queensland about his research, revealing how important sound is to Koalas.

As with every week, we'll have a wildlife news round-up, this week gathered by Kelvin Boot, and our out-reach to the Open University, where you can share your observations of wildlife with others on their interactive biodiversity web site iSpot.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.

The first in a series of programmes looking into the challenges of wildlife conservation.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We also start our year-long reporting from Australia with Koalas. We hear from ABC reporter Kim Kleidon who has visited a Koala sanctuary for us and Brett interviews Koala Biologist Bill Ellis from the University of Queensland about his research, revealing how important sound is to Koalas.

As with every week, we'll have a wildlife news round-up, this week gathered by Kelvin Boot, and our out-reach to the Open University, where you can share your observations of wildlife with others on their interactive biodiversity web site iSpot.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.

The first in a series of programmes looking into the challenges of wildlife conservation.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And Hugh Warwick, a hedghog expert, is in the studio. Our anecdotal research indicates there are less hedgehogs being seen in Britain and even less road kills being seen. What does this say about hedgehog populations? We'll find out.

Also in this programme we get very close to displaying Red-Crowned Cranes, the national bird of Japan. Julian Hector interviews Mark Brazil during late winter in Hokkaido, a time when the cranes are as raucous as they are flamboyant with their displays, calls and dances. Japanese cranes have a big relevance to the UK too as conservationists seek to re-introduce our own [once extinct] crane species from a German wetland to the Somerset Levels in Southern England. We'll be following that re-introduction in a future programme.

As with every week, we'll have a wildlife news round-up, this week gathered by Kelvin Boot and we'll work with our associates in The Open University to see who is sharing what observations about biodiversity on their interactive website iSpot.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Producer: Kirsty Henderson

Editor: Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood examines the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And the ash cloud coming from Iceland has disrupted our plans to report from a Scottish seabird cliff but in its place we have a report from an Icelandic ornithologist. Whooper Airport" is an area in South East Iceland coined by Whooper Swan biologists who radio tracked these migrant swans from the UK to the breeding grounds in Iceland. We report on how the fall out is impacting on migrant swans and hear that some swans are taking refuge in sheds to avoid the descending ash.

We're also back in Japan reporting one of their great wildlife spectacles - the feeding of red crowned cranes and the array of other predators that join in.

We have our usual wildlife news round-up from around the globe gathered this week by Kelvin Boot and we'll check into iSpot, the interactive biodiversity website of The Open University.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Editor: Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood examines the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation"

Common (European) Crane also feature in this programme. This Crane species is the bird that has triggered a big collaborative project to re-introduce them to the Somerset Levels. Eggs are being driven from a wetland in Eastern Germany to the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust reserve at Slimbridge, where they will be incubated and reared for release in August. We will be with the incubating crane eggs in Slimbridge.

And on another translocation project, we'll be live in Sussex with a Field Cricket catcher - just one of many skilled conservationists re-introducing this rare cricket to a specially prepared nature reserve in the neighbouring county.

And finally we will have our news round-up with Kelvin Boot gathering the wildlife events from around the world.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Editor: Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood examines the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme, the demise of the Wood Warbler in British woodlands. This migrant songbird from Africa was one of the key choristers in the British Dawn Chorus. But there are more Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. We ask ornithologist and bird migration expert Ian Newton how the songsters that make up the dawn chorus have changed and why.

And we hope also to bring you the story of the Field Cricket release in sothern England - but the running order is a bit fluid at the moment as we watch the developmewnts in the Gulf of Mexico.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Mary Colwell

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Including a first report from North America correspondent Howard Stableford.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

There's a massive leak of crude oil from a BP well in the Gulf of Mexico with many reporting it as the largest slick in history - And the crude is making landfall on the Mississippi Delta, one of the most biodiverse areas in the USA. We ask wildlife film maker and author Steve Nicholls, who has been to this wildlife hotspot many times, who and what is most threatened and insight into the natural resilience of such wilderness. Our regular news hound Kelvin Boot will focus on how the Americans are reporting this story and how the disaster is being dealt with.

Also in the programme, the demise of the Wood Warbler in British woodlands. This migrant songbird from Africa was one of the key choristers in the British Dawn Chorus. But there are more Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. We ask ornithologist and bird migration expert Ian Newton how the songsters that make up the dawn chorus have changed and why.

And we hope also to bring you the story of the Field Cricket release in sothern England - but the running order is a bit fluid at the moment as we watch the developmewnts in the Gulf of Mexico.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Mary Colwell

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Including a first report from North America correspondent Howard Stableford.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Because of the events in the Mississippi delta, we have delayed our first report from Howard Stableford in Costa Rica to this programme. He visited the rainforest in Costa Rica to see how forest disturbance was impacting on the pollination behaviour of hummingbirds. The research, only in its early stages, is showing that the behaviour of the birds does change near forest edges with banana plantations. Howard also reports on the delicate relationship hummingbirds have with the exotic heliconia flower.

We also have the second part of the Field Cricket release into an RSPB reserve in southern England. The Field cricket has the reputation of being Britain's loudest insect. We covered their capture in a previous programme and we were there for their translocation. And we ask, why bother - does anyone care about a cricket?

And if there is room we'll keep you up with our larval poets [baby Purple Emperor Butterfly caterpillars] in Wiltshire with National Trust butterfly man Matthew Oates.

Kelvin Boot will be there with a roundup of global wildlife news - especially the latest in the Gulf of Mexico.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor: Julian Hector.

Including a report from Costa Rica and an important story about the Nightingale.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

~Saving Species will be following the science and fortunes of Black Bears over the year and in this week's programme we have our first report from the wildwoods of Minnesota and a guaranteed close encounter with this much misunderstood bear.

We broadcast another edition of our "Memories are Made of This" - these are your memories of past abundances of British wildlife. This week you remember when Lapwings were considerably more numerous than today.

And we'll be talking to the British Trust for Ornithology about their ongoing work retrieving the data loggers they fitted to Nightingales last year. Where Nightingales go to winter, surprisingly, is still a mystery. Maybe we will find out in this programme.

Kelvin Boot will be on the show as ever with a global news roundup of other wildlife news.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Mary Colwell

Editor Julian Hector.

Following the science and fortunes of Black Bears in the woods of Minnesota.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

The Black Bear of North America is a common species; over a million of them roam the forests of the mid west and eastern states. The perception of bears in the United States and Canada is mixed. To some people bears are revered as an emblem of wildness, perhaps as much as the Bald Eagle. To others bears are dangerous and a nuisance. For sure, Black and Brown [Grizzly] bears are different characters. And only recently, has the more gentle Black Bear been taken off the vermin list of America and been reclassified as "big game" - this new classification reduces the hunting season for bears from any-time of year to a six week window.

~Saving Species will be following the science and fortunes of Black Bears over the year and in this week's programme we have our first report from the wildwoods of Minnesota and a guaranteed close encounter with this much misunderstood bear.

We broadcast another edition of our "Memories are Made of This" - these are your memories of past abundances of British wildlife. This week you remember when Lapwings were considerably more numerous than today.

And we'll be talking to the British Trust for Ornithology about their ongoing work retrieving the data loggers they fitted to Nightingales last year. Where Nightingales go to winter, surprisingly, is still a mystery. Maybe we will find out in this programme.

Kelvin Boot will be on the show as ever with a global news roundup of other wildlife news.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Mary Colwell

Editor Julian Hector.

Following the science and fortunes of Black Bears in the woods of Minnesota.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation"

Saving Species is going large on British seabirds. Naturalist and broadcaster Michael Scott is joining biologists from the Centre of Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) on the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth. The Isle of May is a small dumpy island, described by Michael 'like a battle ship guarding the entrance to the Firth of Forth' and eclipsed in grandeur slightly by the nearby Bass Rock - 'the rock' is the breeding site for Britain's largest seabird, the Gannet. The gannets will be plunge diving in the seas around the Isle of May, but it's the Puffins, the Guillemots and the Kittiwakes that Michael is going to see together with the rather dinosaurian shags. Over the recent three years Britain's seabirds have had a tough time surviving themselves let alone raising young. Their fortunes seem to be different depending where they breed and feed and it's this complex picture Michael will unpack on the Isle of May.

Seabird ecologist Bob Swann is live into the programme from a seabird Colony near Sutor, much further north than the Isle of May - a colony he has monitored daily over the last 40 years.

How are his seabirds doing this year? We hear from two research sites in Eastern Scotland.

And we have our latest 'Memories are Made of This' package, this time recollections from Cornwall about the past abundance of herring and seabirds on the Peninsular.

And our newshound Kelvin Boot is with us armed with wildlife news from around the world.

Presented by Howard Stableford

Produced by Mary Colwell

Series Editor: Julian Hector.

Following the work of seabird ecologists on the Isle of May.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Sticking with the Americas, we head south to Central America and the rainforests of Costa Rica. Howard Stableford has been there for Saving Species to meet Oregon State University biologists working on Humming Birds in the forests. Howard discovers that the Humming Birds are crucial plant pollinators for the forest, but those birds near the forest edge will head into the banana plantations before the forest, lured there because banana flowers are loaded with nectar, the humming birds food. What then are the implications for rainforest regeneration without their humming bird pollinators? Howard asks the questions.

We'll also be on the Australian Great Barrier Reef to encounter Sea Snakes. Our reporter James Brickell is on the reef and files his first report.

And the Spoonbill Sandpiper - a small wading bird that winters in Myanmar and breeds in East Asian Russia, is the subject of emergency research by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). The BTO tell us this bird species is declining by 25% a year. Why such a steep population decline and what can be done about it. We hear both from the Wash Estuary in England and from the work in Asia to save it.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Including an update on the oil spill off the Mississippi Delta.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Sticking with the Americas, we head south to Central America and the rainforests of Costa Rica. Howard Stableford has been there for Saving Species to meet Oregon State University biologists working on Humming Birds in the forests. Howard discovers that the Humming Birds are crucial plant pollinators for the forest, but those birds near the forest edge will head into the banana plantations before the forest, lured there because banana flowers are loaded with nectar, the humming birds food. What then are the implications for rainforest regeneration without their humming bird pollinators? Howard asks the questions.

We'll also be on the Australian Great Barrier Reef to encounter Sea Snakes. Our reporter James Brickell is on the reef and files his first report.

And the Spoonbill Sandpiper - a small wading bird that winters in Myanmar and breeds in East Asian Russia, is the subject of emergency research by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). The BTO tell us this bird species is declining by 25% a year. Why such a steep population decline and what can be done about it. We hear both from the Wash Estuary in England and from the work in Asia to save it.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Including an update on the oil spill off the Mississippi Delta.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We return to Hokkaido in Japan and stalk a Stellers Sea Eagle eating something mysterious near a fishing community. It turns out these giant fish eating eagles have indeed switched prey - they have turned their attention to land.

And we catch up with our Purple Emperor Butterflies, now voracious caterpillars heading to the canopy tops where they will pupate. Which of the larval poets (remember, the animals we're following are all named after famous poets) are flourishing and which have disappeared? Matthew Oates will be telling us from his secret research site in Wiltshire.

Kelvin Boot will be on the show as ever with news and comment about wildlife making the news from around the world.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Our first report from the Great Barrier Reef on how its sharks are doing.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

10/40. We catch up with our European Cranes at the Wildlfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) centre in Slimbridge. This is a project shared between WWT, the RSPB and the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust to release cranes back into the wild in the Somerset levels - a wetland where they have been extinct since the 17th century. The conservation project is building up tempo as the chicks, which were brought over as eggs from Germany, are nearing full size. Chris Sperring will meet up with our feathered friends in Gloucestershire and see how they are being hardened up to life in the wild. The plan is to release them into the Somerset Levels in August - Chris Sperring scopes the release site in this programme and asks how the rest of the wildlife might react to the re-introduction.

We return to Hokkaido in Japan and stalk a Stellers Sea Eagle eating something mysterious near a fishing community. It turns out these giant fish eating eagles have indeed switched prey - they have turned their attention to land.

And we catch up with our Purple Emperor Butterflies, now voracious caterpillars heading to the canopy tops where they will pupate. Which of the larval poets (remember, the animals we're following are all named after famous poets) are flourishing and which have disappeared? Matthew Oates will be telling us from his secret research site in Wiltshire.

Kelvin Boot will be on the show as ever with news and comment about wildlife making the news from around the world.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Our first report from the Great Barrier Reef on how its sharks are doing.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

In this special programme in front of a live audience we ask 'Biodiversity - is there a problem with the word'. We question the language used in wildlife conservation and with an invited group of experts discuss whether the words used in wildlife conservation provide understanding and engage the audience. Do we like words like 'sustainability', 'ecological services', 'climate change', and 'favourable status' - And 'biodiversity'? What does biodiversity mean?

Language, both visual and spoken will be essential this Sunday Night on BBC2 when the BBC presents a fund raising programme WILD NIGHT IN to raise money for wildlife conservation through the BBC Wildlife Fund.

On the panel are: Professor Jonathan Silvertown from the Open University, Matthew Oates, Conservationist from the National Trust, Kelvin Boot, naturalist & Media Consultant, Paul Evans, Wildlife Writer & Broadcaster and Martin Kiszko, Composer & Poet.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor: Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood and guests question the language used in wildlife conservation.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We return to Microbes and the importance of these micoscopic life forms in the living world around us, including our health.

And Brett has a close and noisy encounter with Pool Frogs in Norfolk. What are they and why are they important?

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Including a report from India on efforts to save the long-billed vulture.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We return to Microbes and the importance of these micoscopic life forms in the living world around us, including our health.

And Brett has a close and noisy encounter with Pool Frogs in Norfolk. What are they and why are they important?

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Including a report from India on efforts to save the long-billed vulture.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We have part two of our Long-Billed and White-Backed Vulture story from India. Gillian Rice discovers these species have together declined by 99.9% in India. 40+ million to a few thousand in 15 years. In part two we discover how the RSPB and the Bombay Natural History Society are planning to rescue the populations and what the implications are on human health in an India with vultures on the brink of extinction.

And we'll be back in northern Scotland with Bob Swann and his Fulmars, Guillemots and Kittiwakes he's keeping an eye on for us. The news might be good news for the Kittiwakes.

And our news hound Kelvin Boot will be on the show with wildlife stories making the news from around the world.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Including feedback from listeners who have used the Open University's Ispot website.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We have part two of our Long-Billed and White-Backed Vulture story from India. Gillian Rice discovers these species have together declined by 99.9% in India. 40+ million to a few thousand in 15 years. In part two we discover how the RSPB and the Bombay Natural History Society are planning to rescue the populations and what the implications are on human health in an India with vultures on the brink of extinction.

And we'll be back in northern Scotland with Bob Swann and his Fulmars, Guillemots and Kittiwakes he's keeping an eye on for us. The news might be good news for the Kittiwakes.

And our news hound Kelvin Boot will be on the show with wildlife stories making the news from around the world.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Including feedback from listeners who have used the Open University's Ispot website.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We have been up and down the country asking the older generation about their memories of wild flowers in the latest edition of Saving Species' "Memories are Made of This" features.

And a close encounter with the rare, retreating and beautifully named Ladybird Spider. With a name like Ladybird Spider, how could you possibly not love it!

Our newshound Kelvin Boot will be with us with wildlife stories making the news from around the world.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Including part three of Gillian Rice's vulture report from India.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We have been up and down the country asking the older generation about their memories of wild flowers in the latest edition of Saving Species' "Memories are Made of This" features.

And a close encounter with the rare, retreating and beautifully named Ladybird Spider. With a name like Ladybird Spider, how could you possibly not love it!

Our newshound Kelvin Boot will be with us with wildlife stories making the news from around the world.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Including part three of Gillian Rice's vulture report from India.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Chimpanzees have been under threat for many years and for many reasons including the bush meat trade, human population increase and the commensurate increase in farmland incursion into their forests as well as diseases that kill Chimpanzees. Goodall's conservation work, often controversial, over five decades in Africa has raised the profile of the issues impacting on apes in Africa, but many believe her work has influenced conservation beyond Chimpanzees and Tanzania.

Also in the programme: did the Purple Emperor poets fly? We're out and about in Wiltshire with Matthew Oates and bring you the latest news from the pupating Purple Emperor Butterflies.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Jeremy Bristow visits Jane Goodall in Gombe, Tanzania, to see her chimpanzee study group.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Chimpanzees have been under threat for many years and for many reasons including the bush meat trade, human population increase and the commensurate increase in farmland incursion into their forests as well as diseases that kill Chimpanzees. Goodall's conservation work, often controversial, over five decades in Africa has raised the profile of the issues impacting on apes in Africa, but many believe her work has influenced conservation beyond Chimpanzees and Tanzania.

Also in the programme: did the Purple Emperor poets fly? We're out and about in Wiltshire with Matthew Oates and bring you the latest news from the pupating Purple Emperor Butterflies.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Jeremy Bristow visits Jane Goodall in Gombe, Tanzania, to see her chimpanzee study group.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme, memories of Butterflies.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Kirsty Henderson

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

17/40. What is the future for our farmland birds? We have been following the re-introduction of Cirl Buntings into Cornwall: an RSPB led conservation project where Cirl Bunting chicks have been taken from nests in Devon and released on specially selected farms in Cornwall. We sent a reporter down to the West Country to see how it works. But do planned government cuts on departments like DEFRA impact on this and other conservation work to protect our farmland birds? And will the 'Big Society' and 'localism', the policy centre piece of the coalition - and not Government, protect our farmland birds? We asked the RSPB and DEFRA.

Also in the programme, memories of Butterflies.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Kirsty Henderson

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We'll be on the Somerset Levels trying to spot the Little Bittern, a rare heron, its very presence a monument we're told to the success of landscape conservation.

And to Dubai where Miles Barton from the Natural History Unit reports from the desert and the efforts to save species such as the Spiny Lizard, or Dub!

There will be other stories too from around the world with Kelvin Boot giving us an update on wildlife making the news - he'll be live in the studio.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Kirsty Henderson
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood presents stories about seabirds, lizards and the Little Bittern.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We'll be on the Somerset Levels trying to spot the Little Bittern, a rare heron, its very presence a monument we're told to the success of landscape conservation.

And to Dubai where Miles Barton from the Natural History Unit reports from the desert and the efforts to save species such as the Spiny Lizard, or Dub!

There will be other stories too from around the world with Kelvin Boot giving us an update on wildlife making the news - he'll be live in the studio.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Kirsty Henderson
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood presents stories about seabirds, lizards and the Little Bittern.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

In this programme we also hear about Southern Ocean Krill.

And an ancient beast living in the foot prints of cattle in Scotland - The Tadpole Shrimp.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Featuring news of the challenges swifts and swallows face as they head south for winter.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

18/40 We come back on air with a special feature about swifts recorded in the tower that legendary ornithologist David Lack studied the species. Over the run of Saving Species we have been making special features about past abundance of animals and plants in the British landscape. This week we reflect on Swifts. Swifts are often seen as the bird of the towns and cities. We hear their 'chatting' call as they swirl and hawk in the sky for insects. Many are now heading south to Africa but that late summer spectacle in the UK is still with us, if you include the swallows and martins as they group up in the sky grabbing their last meal before heading south. In this programme we hear that nest site availability in the UK is as much an issue for swift survival as the many challenges they face migrating to and wintering in Africa.

In this programme we also hear about Southern Ocean Krill.

And an ancient beast living in the foot prints of cattle in Scotland - The Tadpole Shrimp.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Featuring news of the challenges swifts and swallows face as they head south for winter.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Follow the links below to see mug shots of the wild cranes.

And we get into citizen science. The Open University with OPAL (open air laboratory) launch a hedge row survey for us to conduct and we join a 'BioBlitz' in Dorset - all lay people oberserving and recording and filingthe data on public record. But is it of any real value? We ask the questions.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Kirsty Henderson

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Including a report from the Somerset Levels to witness the release of the European Crane.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme how deciphering the life history of the Large Blue Butterfly is helping this very rare insect to increase its range in Southern England.

And we hope to bring you the spectacle of breeding Stellers Sea Lions - the largest 'Fur Seal' in the world with a special report from the Aleution Islands in the North Pacific.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Kirsty Henderson

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Reporting on the tiny creatures that writhe and creep in compost heaps.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We hear from Mark Brazil on Tyuleniy Island (in the sea of Okhotsk off the coast of Russia) and his close encounters with Stellers Sea Lions.

And in the UK, culm grassland making a return - the preferred habitat of the Marsh Fritillary.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Howard Stableford will be in the Mississippi Delta area gathering information about the resilience of a huge river Delta and its relationship with the sea.

Kelvin Boot will be talking to experts about the sea's ability to rebuff pollution events and human exploitation.

How much flex is in the system? We'll find out.

Presented by Kelvin Boot
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species visits the Mississippi Delta in the aftermarth of the Gulf oil spill.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Howard Stableford will be in the Mississippi Delta area gathering information about the resilience of a huge river Delta and its relationship with the sea.

Kelvin Boot will be talking to experts about the sea's ability to rebuff pollution events and human exploitation.

How much flex is in the system? We'll find out.

Presented by Kelvin Boot
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species visits the Mississippi Delta in the aftermarth of the Gulf oil spill.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We discover the crucial role fungi have in keeping woodlands alive.

We're also back in Africa with a report from Tessa McGregor about the successful conservation of the Grevy's Zebra in the Samburu National Park in Kenya.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species goes on a fungus foray in West Wales.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

23/40. We go in search of fungi this week with expert Lynne Boddy. We have previously reported the importance of microbes in Saving Species. 'It's the little things that run the world' Aaron Bernstein from Harvard University told us. Fungi belong to that group of little things - but some fungi are not so little. One type forms the largest terrestrial living organism on earth with its matrix of underground roots [hyphae] spreading across an area the size of a football pitch. We're in a west Wales woodland looking for the wonderful fruiting bodies, at the time of year when the otherwise hidden fungi emerges from the ground with their beautiful, odd, weird and strangely shaped and coloured mushrooms. And they have as many intriguing common names as they are varied in appearance.

We discover the crucial role fungi have in keeping woodlands alive.

We're also back in Africa with a report from Tessa McGregor about the successful conservation of the Grevy's Zebra in the Samburu National Park in Kenya.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species goes on a fungus foray in West Wales.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And we take the plight of British birds story further. Biologists from Oxford University have been studying the decline in British birds and have come up with work that indicates that bird decline in the UK is an indicator of wider mass extinctions over the world. What exactly does this mean? And how can British birds inform us about the rest of the world? We will find out.

Also, bees. We report new research looking at what the Honey Bee waggle dance tells us about nectar sources in gardens and the countryside. And to a great source of autumn nectar, Ivy, and the Ivy Bee. Kelvin Boot hunts down this Euro Bee - one of the new visitors to this country linked, we're told, to warmer winters and a super-abundance of Ivy in southern England.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Series Editor Julian Hector.

What can the decline in British birds tell us about global extinction levels.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And we take the plight of British birds story further. Biologists from Oxford University have been studying the decline in British birds and have come up with work that indicates that bird decline in the UK is an indicator of wider mass extinctions over the world. What exactly does this mean? And how can British birds inform us about the rest of the world? We will find out.

Also, bees. We report new research looking at what the Honey Bee waggle dance tells us about nectar sources in gardens and the countryside. And to a great source of autumn nectar, Ivy, and the Ivy Bee. Kelvin Boot hunts down this Euro Bee - one of the new visitors to this country linked, we're told, to warmer winters and a super-abundance of Ivy in southern England.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Series Editor Julian Hector.

What can the decline in British birds tell us about global extinction levels.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We'll be in London at one of the most historic bird observatories with a special "memories" piece reflecting on a time when London's skies were busy with south-bound avian migrants.

And we'll have a special piece from a sacred forest in Ethiopia, a unique wooded island refuge in a desert of over tilled land - a forest protected by a church and its followers. We hear from Claire Ozanne from Roehampton University as she and colleagues conduct the first ever wildlife survey of this refuge. The biologists discover a new bird for Ethiopia and involve the local children in their discoveries. And we take on the bigger picture; what contribution does religion make to nature conservation at a global level? We have Martin Palmer, CEO of The Alliance of Religion and Conservation (ARC) in the studio.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood reports on migrating birds in the skies over London.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We'll be in London at one of the most historic bird observatories with a special "memories" piece reflecting on a time when London's skies were busy with south-bound avian migrants.

And we'll have a special piece from a sacred forest in Ethiopia, a unique wooded island refuge in a desert of over tilled land - a forest protected by a church and its followers. We hear from Claire Ozanne from Roehampton University as she and colleagues conduct the first ever wildlife survey of this refuge. The biologists discover a new bird for Ethiopia and involve the local children in their discoveries. And we take on the bigger picture; what contribution does religion make to nature conservation at a global level? We have Martin Palmer, CEO of The Alliance of Religion and Conservation (ARC) in the studio.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood reports on migrating birds in the skies over London.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And in Britain, a few days after the comprehensive spending review announcements, are there winners and losers in the world of wildlife conservation? We ask the CEO of the charity The Wildlife Trusts, who run nature reserves in every county of the UK, how the future of paying for the up-keep of nature reserves looks to them.

Chris Sperring has his eye on Fallow Deer and brings you the spectacle of their rut on Exmoor together with their impacts of woodland.

And Kelvin Boot has been with iSpot users in the New Forest looking for fungi.

Presenter Brett Westwood
Producer Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.

In this week's programme, deer, conservation in the UK and biodiversity world-wide.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And in Britain, a few days after the comprehensive spending review announcements, are there winners and losers in the world of wildlife conservation? We ask the CEO of the charity The Wildlife Trusts, who run nature reserves in every county of the UK, how the future of paying for the up-keep of nature reserves looks to them.

Chris Sperring has his eye on Fallow Deer and brings you the spectacle of their rut on Exmoor together with their impacts of woodland.

And Kelvin Boot has been with iSpot users in the New Forest looking for fungi.

Presenter Brett Westwood
Producer Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.

In this week's programme, deer, conservation in the UK and biodiversity world-wide.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And we'll be there.

Saving Species visits Islay in Scotland in the company of twenty five thousand geese.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And we'll be there.

Saving Species visits Islay in Scotland in the company of twenty five thousand geese.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the line up this week a special report from Madagascar and the work being done out there to save the Madgascan Pochard from the brink of extinction. Lucy Vincent of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust visits the people on the ground rearing captive Pochards for release.

Grey Seals are also in the programme. Chris Sperring sends a report to us from Orkney where the Grey Seals are pupping. And we hear from the Natural Environment Research Council's Sea Mammal Research Unit live in the programme about the status of the UK seas and how the Grey Seals help them understand it.

Our news hound Kelvin Boot is also live into the programme.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Series editor: Julian Hector.

Saving Species witnesses the extraordinary mating behaviour of Koalas in Australia.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Invasive species are a world-wide issue; species continue to invade islands and mainland habitats with direct consequences on the local ecology and food crops. Climate change is considered a great force for species invasion, but people have introduced animal and plant species for centuries, whether deliberately or not.

We hear from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) who are planning to eradicate rats from Henderson Island in the south-east Pacific to save the breeding birds there. Animal and plant eradication programmes occur on virtually every continent and island archipelago, but not always with complete support. Concerns are normally about animal welfare, but can also be based in arguments around biodiversity.

In this programme we discuss whether the eradication of invasive species in any one setting is wildlife conservation.

Amongst others, we talk to Sarah Simons, based in Kenya, from the IUCN's Global Invasive Species programme and Tim Blackburn from the Zoological Society of London.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Mary Colwell

Series Editor Julian Hector.

This week Saving Species looks into the issues of invasive species.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

29/40. Eagle Owls live in the UK, but should they? These stunning looking and outsized owls with penetrating orange eyes occur naturally in north-west Europe and beyond, but not in Britain. The one hundred or so eagle owls living freely in the UK are a a good example of an "alien" species - and most experts regard them as escapees from collections. But when does a non-native species, like an eagle owl, become "invasive"? Does it matter?

Invasive species are a world-wide issue; species continue to invade islands and mainland habitats with direct consequences on the local ecology and food crops. Climate change is considered a great force for species invasion, but people have introduced animal and plant species for centuries, whether deliberately or not.

We hear from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) who are planning to eradicate rats from Henderson Island in the south-east Pacific to save the breeding birds there. Animal and plant eradication programmes occur on virtually every continent and island archipelago, but not always with complete support. Concerns are normally about animal welfare, but can also be based in arguments around biodiversity.

In this programme we discuss whether the eradication of invasive species in any one setting is wildlife conservation.

Amongst others, we talk to Sarah Simons, based in Kenya, from the IUCN's Global Invasive Species programme and Tim Blackburn from the Zoological Society of London.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Mary Colwell

Series Editor Julian Hector.

This week Saving Species looks into the issues of invasive species.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation"

And Julian Hector reports from Japan's northernmost island Hokkaido about migratory Whooper Swans. These swans of East Asia, which breed in Russia, are the same species that winter in the UK, but which breed in Iceland. Ornithologist Mark Brazil observes that the Japanese birds are wintering 1000 miles further north than they used to - all a response, Brazil says, to climate change.

And we hear about the perils to woodlands of foraging too many fungal fruiting bodies (mushrooms) from the wild.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Mary Colwell

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Memories of river wildlife, migratory swans and fungi all in this week's programme.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And you have probably heard of Africa's 'big five' - but have you heard of Britains 'Big Six' - these are the six farmland birds in the UK all severely in decline and all of whom would benefit we're told, from the same joined up farming as the Blue Pimpernel arable-loving flower above is. The argument is, get this six right and the rest will follow. But what species are they? And can the UK do it - we'll ask if the funding and leadership is in place to sort out Britains farmland birds.

And to South America and the Maned Wolf. Mark Brazil has had a close encounter with this 'shaggy fox with long legs' - one of the rarest mammals in the world and perhaps one of the least understood. We're with Mark in South America and talking to the experts too from the IUCN's Species Survival Commission.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Mary Colwell

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Featuring the little-known Blue Pimpernel and Britain's 'big six'.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species comes from the 100 Foot Washes in the company of thousands of swans.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We have the first of our special Ladybird Book series which has been recorded through the year. Chris Sperring takes the first editions of the famous book series about Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter - published in 1959 - and explores what species have gone, what have arrived and what hasn't changed. For sure, it's full of surprises.

And sharks. With news of two species of sharks attacking holiday makers in the Red Sea what does this do to the efforts to save sharks from extinction?. We talk to one expert who works with sharks on a daily basis and to another expert in the conservation of the White-tip shark, a species implicated in the attacks.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species reports from Panama about the plight of Sloths in the Caribbean.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

In our special series about "Ladybird Book" Britain, it's summer. What has changed in the 50 years since the first publication of the book? Chris Sperring is out and about finding out for himself during a visit to Dorset. The book describes Red Squirrels and Water Voles still in reasonable numbers, although eludes to their decline. And Chris has a unique peep into the future from a hide looking over Poole Harbour - Chris spots some animals the authors of this edition of Lady Bird Britain could not have possibly predicted would be living in Britain.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Kirsty Henderson
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species reports alarming news about the plight of Lions in Africa.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

In our special series about "Ladybird Book" Britain, it's summer. What has changed in the 50 years since the first publication of the book? Chris Sperring is out and about finding out for himself during a visit to Dorset. The book describes Red Squirrels and Water Voles still in reasonable numbers, although eludes to their decline. And Chris has a unique peep into the future from a hide looking over Poole Harbour - Chris spots some animals the authors of this edition of Lady Bird Britain could not have possibly predicted would be living in Britain.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Kirsty Henderson
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species reports alarming news about the plight of Lions in Africa.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Presented by Matthew Hill
Produced by Mary Colwell
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species goes to India to investigate a remarkable story about tiger conservation.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Presented by Matthew Hill
Produced by Mary Colwell
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species goes to India to investigate a remarkable story about tiger conservation.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And Sarah Pitt presents another 'Memories' piece, this week with Graham Martin from Birmingham University on the abundance of Tawny Owls.

We're also in Malaysia on the trail of a new species of Gecko.

And the mystery of the slime deposits around the British countryside. Ispot users crack the riddle. We have Jonathon Silvertown from the Open University telling the story.

Presented by Kelvin Boot

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

In this weeks programme Top Goose, how BBC geese generated new science.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme, our long-legged friends from Eastern Germany on the Somerset Levels. We catch up on the success, or not, of the captive born and released European Cranes we've been following over the year.

And we have the third episode of our special Ladybird Book Britain series with Chris Sperring. It's Autumn - what has changed in the 50 years since the publication of the first editions?

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

~Saving Species is in the Pantanal in Brazil looking for the hyacinth macaw.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And we turn our attention to charismatic mega fauna(!) and tourism. With two special reports, one from James Brickell in Australia and another from Mark Brazil in India, we examine how using tourists, however unlikely it might appear to be, are helping with research and protecting Whales and Tigers. And we'll be talking to a prominent geographer about the direction eco-tourism is going and how far can tourists go to protect species.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Mary Colwell

Series Editor Julian Hector.

~Saving Species reports from Australia on how tourists are helping to save whales.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

In this programme we have our final 'Memories' piece remembering the past abundance of the tenacious predators, stoats and weasels. And through the Narrow-Headed Ant we discover the dangers of fragmenting heathland.

And we have close encounters with the Africa Penguin (formally the Jackass Penguin) on a remote island off the coast of South Africa. Penguins alighting on islands throughout the southern oceans have provided our world with one of the great animal spectacles. But penguins are in decline - their survival is at the mercy of their food supply in the sea - a food supply that people compete directly with them for.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Series Editor Julian Hector.

We search for stoats and weasels, once abundant and now little-seen.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

If we accept that saving all endangered species might not be practical, affordable or possible - then how are decisions made about what to save? What questions have to be asked and how do conservationists reconcile the balance of winners and losers in any decision made?

We have a special report from Howard Stableford who went to see the Californian Condor project and we'll have James Leape, International Director General WWF live into the programme.

David Robinson, Professor of Biology at the Open University will be in the studio looking at the performance of iSpot across 40 episodes of Saving Species.

And our news hound Kelvin Boot will be in the studio too. The proposed sale of British woodlands no doubt high on his list of weekly stories.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Mary Colwell

Series Editor Julian Hector.

What is the better approach to conservation, saving species or wilderness?

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme - news from around the world with our news hound Kelvin Boot - and Matthew Oates finds the Duke of Burgundy butterfly.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Editor: Julian Hector.

Five million swallows swirl above rural Nigeria, poised to migrate to Europe.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Plus there is the first report from journalist Patrick Evans, who spent six months in the Ukraine, on the state of wildlife in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell

Editor: Julian Hector.

The programme follows a pair of beavers in Devon.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme - latest reports suggest that the population of Mountain Gorillas in forested central Africa is picking up - but what about the sub-species, Eastern Lowland Gorilla? The Mountain Gorilla became emblematic of the plight of species being shot for body parts - this species was poached for hands and heads, the young orphans sold to the pet trade - And they remain vulnerable to being killed for bush meat. Ian Redmond, one of the pioneering Mountain Gorilla scientists who brought this issue to the world media, returns regularly to the area and says 'the conservation effort is meeting the threat' - In the national parks conservation is working. Ian has returned with saving Species recording equipment to report on the plight of Lowland Gorillas whose fortunes are very different. We get the latest.

Also in the programme - the translocation of Desert Tortoises in the Mojave desert. We sent Howard Stableford into the deserts near Las Vagas to report on the re-introductions: 30 year old tortoises liberated into the desert bristling with technology to help both the US Fish & wildlife Service and San Diego Zoo monitor the success of the conservation programme.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell

Editor: Julian Hector.

Saving Species reports from the Congo and the future of Lowland Gorillas.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And we broadcast our first report from Bob Swann who has monitored the same two seabird colonies in Scotland for 25 years, and we're going to stay with him through the year and see how the seabirds cope with 2011.

Patrick Evans reads his second piece from the area around Chernobyl - this piece about the use of the Przewalski's Horse.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell

Editor: Julian Hector.

The wildlife value of UK woods triggered a government U-turn in 2010, but is it over?

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

The public outcry that ensued following the UK government's announcement it was to sell off state-owned woodlands to private ownership triggered a U-turn in government policy. Woodlands were in the fore of everyone's minds and the topic of conversation up and down the land. It was the biodiversity value of woodlands that became a crucial argument - and public access to the health-giving and recreational world woodlands provide. But now the government have scrapped plans to sell off their woodlands, is the problem over? Saving Species reports from Norfolk where an ancient woodland is being restored and we talk to environmentalist Chris Baines about the value of all woodlands.

And we broadcast our first report from Bob Swann who has monitored the same two seabird colonies in Scotland for 25 years, and we're going to stay with him through the year and see how the seabirds cope with 2011.

Patrick Evans reads his second piece from the area around Chernobyl - this piece about the use of the Przewalski's Horse.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell

Editor: Julian Hector.

The wildlife value of UK woods triggered a government U-turn in 2010, but is it over?

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

One of the benefits of joining a BioBlitz is to gain skills in observation, recording and naming living things. Saving Species asks a panel of experts 'where will tomorrow's naturalists come from?' - some believe a loss of connection with nature is eroding this skill. We will have Sue Townsend from the Field Studies Council, Presenter and Naturalist Mike Dilger, Nature Conservation Consultant Doug Hulyer and poet Miles Chambers. And of course an audience of BioBlitzers!

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Editor: Julian Hector.

~Saving Species asks the question, 'where are tomorrow's naturalists going to come from?'.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Brett Westwood has been out and about with Matthew Oates in search of the Wood White Butterfly. The Wood White is one of Britain's rarest butterflies and so far seems to have enjoyed the sunny spring.

And Patrick Evans reads his last report about the wildlife living in the exclusion zone around Chernobyl - Today we hear about his encounter with wolves and why they are thriving.

Presenter: Joanna Pinnock

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Editor: Julian Hector.

Sarah Pitt talks to Jennifer Owen about her life-long study of the wildlife in her garden.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Editor: Julian Hector.

~Saving Species explores the mysteries of bird migration.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Kelvin Boot will be in the Saving Species studio in Bristol.

Presenter: Kelvin Boot

Producer: Mary Colwell

Editor: Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood broadcasts live from Long Nanny, an Arctic Tern colony in Northumberland.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We continue our reporting of seabirds with a a piece recorded on location on Canna near the Isle of Skye by Bob Swann on Manx Shearwater.

And we hope to bring you Large Blue Butterflies.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell

Editor: Julian Hector.

~Saving Species presents one of Britain's most beloved species, the dormouse.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We also talk to Daniel Pauly, a leading marine biologist from University of British Columbia, about his take on the state of global oceans - and get out with Michael Scott on an Earth Watch expedition looking for whales around the British coastline.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell

Editor: Julian Hector.

The Bar-Headed Goose breeds on the highest plateaus of the Himalayas, but are they safe?

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We'll have an update from the two Beavers we're following in Devon - Chris Sperring has been down to visit the site and to see the Beavers.

And how is Chris the Cuckoo doing? We'll be spying in on his migration south.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Editor: Julian Hector.

~Saving Species reports from the Great Barrier Reef on the conservation of green turtles.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We also have a report on wetlands in England and hope to get an interview from Kenya on the status of Giraffes. Giraffe numbers have been falling in Africa - why?

We did advertise we were going to run Wild Boar this week, but the material isn't in yet.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Editor: Julian Hector.

Including a report about the conservation of whales.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And the latest report from Bob Swann surveying the seabird colonies of Tain and Canna.

And a report from Newcastle from Trai Anfield on the future of urban nesting Kittiwakes who are being re-located to breeding towers on the River Tyne.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell

Editor: Julian Hector.

~Saving Species asks how well we're doing looking after our ponds and their inhabitants.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We also feature Tree Sparrows with a report in the field from northern England and an interview with the RSPB on why we should care about this species in particular.

The latest news about Chris, the Africa-bound cuckoo, and the UK Ladybird Survey.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell

Editor: Julian Hector.

~Saving Species reports from the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem on the conservation of swifts.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Buglife are working with Plymouth University and the People's Trust for Endangered Species to try to re-find this extraordinary creature and then assess what conservation measures need to be put in place. It's very small though...a money spider - and bristly (horrid) so not easy to find. Brett Weswood met with Andrew Whitehouse and Duncan Allen from Buglife at the quarry and tried various field techniques to find the Horrid Ground Weaver including: bendy drinking straws, pitfall traps and the 'BugVac' - an insect hoover! But did we find it? Samples have to go back to lab for microscopic analysis - we'll let you know.

Also in the programme: The latest news on Indian Vulture conservation - and the release of the European Cranes on the Somerset Levels.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell

Editor: Julian Hector.

This week, the Horrid Ground Weaver - a creature found only in one place in the UK.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Look below for the pictures of the Spectacled Eider and the link to the U.S Geological Surveys website, where you can follow the latest news of the Spectacled Eiders being studied.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Editor: Julian Hector.

~Saving Species is outdoors, in the wilds of the UK and seventy north in the Arctic.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Closer to home, Tessa McGregor reports from Scotland on the future of the Slender Scotch Burnet Moth.

And we have Right Whales in the show, encountered off Cape Cod and a report on the work in the Atlantic trying to accurately assess their numbers, individuals and movements.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Editor Julian Hector.

~Saving Species reports from the North Slope of Alaska to find the Spectacled Eider duck.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme: we hear from the British Trust for Ornithology about a UK garden bird disease getting into Europe. And whilst the BTO are on the line we hope to find out about the Cuckoos they are tracking heading south into Africa.

And Kelvin Boot is live from Aberdeen at an international conference on marine biodiversity -

And we acknowledge the death this week of Professor Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan woman who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work teaching women to plant trees. Wangari Maathai believed the destruction of the natural world was directly linked to sustained poverty in Kenya.

Presented by Joanna Pinnock

Produced by Mary Colwell

Editor Julian Hector.

Zoo vets talk about the role of conservation medicine in saving wildlife.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme: Kelvin Boot reports the status of polar plankton from a meeting (about plankton) in Plymouth.

And the Curlew - the piping call of which contributes to the soundscape of uplands in summer and estuaries in winter, are seriously in decline in Ireland, SW Scotland and Wales. By how much and why we will find out.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Editor Julian Hector.

The Pika, a small mountain mammal, is blamed for the degradation of grassland.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme: Kelvin Boot reports the status of polar plankton from a meeting (about plankton) in Plymouth.

And the Curlew - the piping call of which contributes to the soundscape of uplands in summer and estuaries in winter, are seriously in decline in Ireland, SW Scotland and Wales. By how much and why we will find out.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Editor Julian Hector.

The Pika, a small mountain mammal, is blamed for the degradation of grassland.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme: The re-intruduction of the Fen Raft Spider into a restored marshland in Suffolk. Chris Sperring went to see the spiderlings 'lowering themselves from their test tube [home] by a thread' into the wild. A wonderful story of animal husbandry, habitat restoration and the science of re-introduction.

And where has Chris the Cuckoo ended up, or is he still heading south. We'll have the BTO live in the programme to bring us up to date with the Cuckoos on the move.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species catches up with the work in Outer Mongolia on the Bar-Headed Goose.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And - all part of living with nature, we report on the status of the Wild Boar in the UK. Can there ever be too many of them?

Our news hound Kelvin Boot will be live on the line with topical news and events.

Presenter Brett Westwood
Producer Mary Colwell
Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species asks if success with species conservation can ever become a problem.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And - all part of living with nature, we report on the status of the Wild Boar in the UK. Can there ever be too many of them?

Our news hound Kelvin Boot will be live on the line with topical news and events.

Presenter Brett Westwood
Producer Mary Colwell
Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species asks if success with species conservation can ever become a problem.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And we're live to Bird Island, South Georgia with British Antarctic Survey Biologists in amongst the albatrosses and fur seals of the South Atlantic.

Also in the programme, the latest news of the Spectacled Eiders Julian Hector visited in the Arctic. This species is the only bird in the Arctic to winter on ice. Matt Sexson of the U.S. Geological Survey will tell us the latest movements and behaviour of the birds our programme met in the summer.

Presenter Brett westwood

Producer Sheena Duncan

Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species talks to Alastair Fothergill about his series, Frozen Planet on BBC1.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Four years in the making, months and months of gruelling filming in both the Antarctic and Arctic, this week BBC1 airs the Natural History Units latest wildlife landmark Frozen Planet. The series Executive Producer Alastair Fothergill will be in the Saving Species studio to talk about the series and especially recounting the experience taking Sir David Attenborough down to the Antarctic ice shelf - a lasting experience Alastair tells us that portrays the change under way in the Antarctic.

And we're live to Bird Island, South Georgia with British Antarctic Survey Biologists in amongst the albatrosses and fur seals of the South Atlantic.

Also in the programme, the latest news of the Spectacled Eiders Julian Hector visited in the Arctic. This species is the only bird in the Arctic to winter on ice. Matt Sexson of the U.S. Geological Survey will tell us the latest movements and behaviour of the birds our programme met in the summer.

Presenter Brett westwood

Producer Sheena Duncan

Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species talks to Alastair Fothergill about his series, Frozen Planet on BBC1.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Presenter Brett Westwood

Producer Sheena Duncan

Editor Julian Hector.

With Brett Westwood. From the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We also get a report on efforts in Israel to stem the decline of marine turtles in the Mediterranean. The Sea Turtle Rescue Centre was set up in 1999 under the auspices of the Israel Nature and Park Authority with the aim to rescuing injured adult turtles and incubating eggs in replica nests.

Presented by Brett Westwood

Produced by Sheena Duncan

Editor Julian Hector.

Including a report on studies to tag and follow the movements of sea horses.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

And we're bring you an exclusive report and an encounter with a bird that is on the brink of extinction. A last ditch effort by two major UK wildlife organisations and collaborators in Russia might, in the long term, turn the fortunes of this most beautiful migrant bird. The Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

Come to a special of recording of Saving Species at Bristol University on 28th November. Click on the "get a ticket" link below for details and a free ticket.

Presented by brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Editor Julian Hector.

We report from Assisi in Italy where world religions have come together to save wildlife.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

26/30 Assisi in Italy is the town most strongly associated with Saint Francis - the patron saint of the environment. A fitting place for a unique gathering of world faiths and members of the global conservation community. They were there to inspire one another and find ways of working more closely together to protect the natural world. Karen Partridge joined the delegates and speakers in Assisi and will be in the studio to talk about the upsum of this special meeting of minds.

And we're bring you an exclusive report and an encounter with a bird that is on the brink of extinction. A last ditch effort by two major UK wildlife organisations and collaborators in Russia might, in the long term, turn the fortunes of this most beautiful migrant bird. The Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

Come to a special of recording of Saving Species at Bristol University on 28th November. Click on the "get a ticket" link below for details and a free ticket.

Presented by brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Editor Julian Hector.

We report from Assisi in Italy where world religions have come together to save wildlife.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Editor Julian Hector.

This week Saving Species is all about trees and forests.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Mary Colwell
Editor Julian Hector.

This week Saving Species is all about trees and forests.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We're also in Brazil with Mark Brazil who is exploring the flooded Amazon forest in search of the White Uakari Monkey.

And back in the UK - news that many more of the global species of whales can be found in British waters.

Presenter Kelvin Boot

Producer Sheena Duncan

Editor Julian Hector.

Brown hares are in decline in North Wales, but why?

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We'll be talking to Jane Madgwick, Director of Wetlands International, about water and the conservation of peat bogs at home and in the Himalayas.

And what are fungi doing wearing tights? it's a parasitic fungus- the powder cap strangler - whose host is another fungus - Brett is in the field to find them.

Presenter: Brett Westwood
Producer: Sheena Duncan
Editor: Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood investigates fungi with tights, or the attack of the powder cap strangler!

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We'll be talking to Jane Madgwick, Director of Wetlands International, about water and the conservation of peat bogs at home and in the Himalayas.

And what are fungi doing wearing tights? it's a parasitic fungus- the powder cap strangler - whose host is another fungus - Brett is in the field to find them.

Presenter: Brett Westwood
Producer: Sheena Duncan
Editor: Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood investigates fungi with tights, or the attack of the powder cap strangler!

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also on the move but on a much shorter journey are shags. Leaving their summer breeding cliffs they disperse for the winter along the coastline, and can be found anywhere from Orkney to Yorkshire. Bob Swann reports from his well-monitored seabird cliffs at North Sutor in Scotland where he has been checking the ring numbers of the shags. Brett also speaks to Jane Reid who is collecting information from such sightings - information which is helping reveal why and where the shags winter.

We then travel to the other end of the country where Peter Burgess from the Devon Wildlife Trust takes Chris Sperring on an end of year update on the beavers who are being used to manage rare culm grassland. Before finally we travel abroad, this time to Brazil, where our globetrotting reporter Mark Brazil reports on the conservation of the rare Lear's Macaw.

And Kelvin Boot joins Brett in the studio with the latest Wildlife news roundup, and to throw down a gentle challenging gauntlet with a new Open University i-spot initiative 'New Life' which we hope to report back the results of this in the spring.

Keep an ear out for the Saving Species special debate on 'Sustaining Life' pre-recorded for broadcast on Friday 23rd December at 8pm.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Editor: Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood rounds up a busy year and revisits some key stories from Saving Species.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme - Saving Species heads to Dungeness in Kent where a long term project is underway to return the short haired bumblebee to Britain. This formerly widespread bee was last recorded in 1988 and declared extinct in 2000. Queen bees collected from Sweden have been released in specially prepared farmland and Joanna Pinnock was there to witness this memorable day.

At the opposite end of the country, Chris Sperring reports from Devon where he joined a public night-time safari to look for one of our most enigmatic and enlightening beetles, the glow-worm. Devon last conducted a country wide survey in 1999. Glow worms have declined across the rest of Britain, but have Devon's glow worms declined since the last survey was completed?

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Brett Westwood looks back at the summer of 2012. How did the wet summer affect wildlife?

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

~Saving Species is back for another year of live broadcasting about the world of wildlife conservation, presented by Brett Westwood. We kick off the first programme with look back at the summer of 2012. At the time this programme is broadcast many of our summer migrants will already be heading south to Africa. But how did they fare over the summer? This summer has been one of the wettest on record, has this affected our wildlife? We look at some of the winners and losers in the battle for survival.

Also in the programme - Saving Species heads to Dungeness in Kent where a long term project is underway to return the short haired bumblebee to Britain. This formerly widespread bee was last recorded in 1988 and declared extinct in 2000. Queen bees collected from Sweden have been released in specially prepared farmland and Joanna Pinnock was there to witness this memorable day.

At the opposite end of the country, Chris Sperring reports from Devon where he joined a public night-time safari to look for one of our most enigmatic and enlightening beetles, the glow-worm. Devon last conducted a country wide survey in 1999. Glow worms have declined across the rest of Britain, but have Devon's glow worms declined since the last survey was completed?

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Brett Westwood looks back at the summer of 2012. How did the wet summer affect wildlife?

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Professor John Altringham from Leeds University has spent much of his academic career looking at the role of evolution, especially in bats, and how this shapes the form and physiology of animals for locomotion, in particular for swimming and flying. But in a rapidly changing World, evolution is struggling to cope, so can we as humans do anything to help flying animals like bats cope with an increasingly built up environment?

Brett Westwood heads off to a Worcestershire woodland in the hope of seeing one of the rarest mammals in the UK, and a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species, the Bechstein's bat. Here he joins James Hitchcock who is part of the National Bat Monitoring Programme which began in 2007.

Over the years many tortoises have been a special pet to families across the Globe. However the Sulcata tortoise is now of global concern and to discover more of the conservation efforts to return this species in the wild, Helen Scales travels to Senegal to see the pioneering work by Tomas Diagne.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open Universities iSpot.

Producer : Sheena Duncan

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood looks at ways to allow bats to fly free in an increasingly urbanised land.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

~Saving Species presented by Brett Westwood this week has a flavour of the night about it. Bats are both loved and loathed by the public, but their plight in an increasingly urbanised Britain is the focus of this week's programme.

Professor John Altringham from Leeds University has spent much of his academic career looking at the role of evolution, especially in bats, and how this shapes the form and physiology of animals for locomotion, in particular for swimming and flying. But in a rapidly changing World, evolution is struggling to cope, so can we as humans do anything to help flying animals like bats cope with an increasingly built up environment?

Brett Westwood heads off to a Worcestershire woodland in the hope of seeing one of the rarest mammals in the UK, and a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species, the Bechstein's bat. Here he joins James Hitchcock who is part of the National Bat Monitoring Programme which began in 2007.

Over the years many tortoises have been a special pet to families across the Globe. However the Sulcata tortoise is now of global concern and to discover more of the conservation efforts to return this species in the wild, Helen Scales travels to Senegal to see the pioneering work by Tomas Diagne.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open Universities iSpot.

Producer : Sheena Duncan

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood looks at ways to allow bats to fly free in an increasingly urbanised land.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Recently the Government set out proposals to extend development rights into the Green Belt as an aid to economic growth. While some sectors of the economy welcome this move, others such as conservation groups predict a backlash of public opinion similar to that of the recent Government plans to sell off public woodland. Could other sites such as brown-field, be developed in preference?

To investigate this Brett Westwood discovers the importance of brown-field sites on a visit to Canvey Wick in the Thames Estuary accompanied by Sarah Henshall, Brownfield Manager from the charity, Buglife. Here in the 40 years since the industry moved out, the biodiversity contained within this SSSI is staggering, including iconic species like the shrill carder bee. But can lessons learned here be used in brown-field sites across the United Kingdom? And is the negative connotations of the word brown-field even one of the problems in degrading these areas as wildlife hot-spots, in preference for development.

And we hear from Dr Chris Baines who discusses whether the plans to build a London to Birmingham high speed rail link could actually benefit wildlife in the longer term.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Producer : Mary Colwell

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

Is it going to be brownfield sites that will provide the room for wildlife to flourish?

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

~Saving Species presented by Brett Westwood this week poses the question; with increasing pressures to develop our land for housing, transport and industry, is there still room for Britain's wildlife to flourish?

Recently the Government set out proposals to extend development rights into the Green Belt as an aid to economic growth. While some sectors of the economy welcome this move, others such as conservation groups predict a backlash of public opinion similar to that of the recent Government plans to sell off public woodland. Could other sites such as brown-field, be developed in preference?

To investigate this Brett Westwood discovers the importance of brown-field sites on a visit to Canvey Wick in the Thames Estuary accompanied by Sarah Henshall, Brownfield Manager from the charity, Buglife. Here in the 40 years since the industry moved out, the biodiversity contained within this SSSI is staggering, including iconic species like the shrill carder bee. But can lessons learned here be used in brown-field sites across the United Kingdom? And is the negative connotations of the word brown-field even one of the problems in degrading these areas as wildlife hot-spots, in preference for development.

And we hear from Dr Chris Baines who discusses whether the plans to build a London to Birmingham high speed rail link could actually benefit wildlife in the longer term.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Producer : Mary Colwell

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

Is it going to be brownfield sites that will provide the room for wildlife to flourish?

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Our reporter Helen Scales travels to the Gambia, where issues of oyster overfishing are having a devastating effect not only on the native oysters that were once plentiful in this area but also the coastal mangrove swamps which are now under threat. Can local community efforts being put into action reverse this environmental problem?

In Florida, Howard Stableford joins marine researchers for an evening on a sandy beach. Shunning the bright lights and partying tourists he follows the fortunes of loggerhead turtles coming to breed along this stretch of coastline. In a race against time, climate change is having a destabilising effect on the sex ratio of turtle hatchlings and therefore poses a real threat to the long term viability of the species.

And closer to home, we look at the 2012 breeding season of some of our breeding seabirds. How have they fared this summer which has seen unseasonal summer storms batter our coastline at a time when many seabird researchers are discovering a mixed picture in terms of breeding success? So what are the causes of this instability?

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Producer : Sheena Duncan

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

~Saving Species examines the health of marine environments from across the world.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Can the world's marine environments remain healthy and functioning under the influence of man, from pollution to over fishing and climate change? In Saving Species this week, Brett Westwood looks in depth at some of the issues and research being carried out into the species which depend upon this often abused natural resource.

Our reporter Helen Scales travels to the Gambia, where issues of oyster overfishing are having a devastating effect not only on the native oysters that were once plentiful in this area but also the coastal mangrove swamps which are now under threat. Can local community efforts being put into action reverse this environmental problem?

In Florida, Howard Stableford joins marine researchers for an evening on a sandy beach. Shunning the bright lights and partying tourists he follows the fortunes of loggerhead turtles coming to breed along this stretch of coastline. In a race against time, climate change is having a destabilising effect on the sex ratio of turtle hatchlings and therefore poses a real threat to the long term viability of the species.

And closer to home, we look at the 2012 breeding season of some of our breeding seabirds. How have they fared this summer which has seen unseasonal summer storms batter our coastline at a time when many seabird researchers are discovering a mixed picture in terms of breeding success? So what are the causes of this instability?

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Producer : Sheena Duncan

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

~Saving Species examines the health of marine environments from across the world.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Elsewhere in the programme Brett Westwood attends the Environmental Change Research Centre conference on freshwater biodiversity at University College London. Mingling with delegates from across Europe, Brett hears about the steps being taken to understand the role of wildlife in modern freshwater habitats.

Dr Elizabeth Chadwick runs the Cardiff University Otter Project. Using post mortem tissues collected from this top predator she is showing how our increasing otter population is coping with different levels of contamination in freshwater in England and Wales.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open Universities iSpot.

Producer : Mary Colwell

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood examines some of the issues UK's freshwater resources are facing.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

In this episode of Saving species we focus on the issues facing our rivers and freshwater systems. The Shropshire Wildlife Trust this year highlight them by sailing a currach down the Severn. John Hughes from the Trust joins Brett Westwood on the water to give them a perfect otter's eye view of the issues facing our crowded countryside and ever increasing demands on this natural resource.

Elsewhere in the programme Brett Westwood attends the Environmental Change Research Centre conference on freshwater biodiversity at University College London. Mingling with delegates from across Europe, Brett hears about the steps being taken to understand the role of wildlife in modern freshwater habitats.

Dr Elizabeth Chadwick runs the Cardiff University Otter Project. Using post mortem tissues collected from this top predator she is showing how our increasing otter population is coping with different levels of contamination in freshwater in England and Wales.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open Universities iSpot.

Producer : Mary Colwell

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood examines some of the issues UK's freshwater resources are facing.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Originating from the Mediterranean, the rare Southern Oak Bush Cricket was first recorded in the UK in 2001. Since then sightings of the bright green, wingless cricket have become more frequent, but it remains more elusive than its winged, native counterpart. Chris Sperring travels with entomologist Tristan Bantock to a central London park to track one down.

David Robinson from the Department of Environment, Earth and Ecosystems at the Open University joins Brett Westwood in the studio to discuss in more depth how the Southern Oak Bush Cricket came to be in the UK.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open Universities iSpot.

Autumn is a time when the animal world is on the move with specific threats to survival.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

In this episode of Saving Species we look at one of Britain's favourite birds - the swallow. Ed Drewitt travels to a swallow roost in Southern England, where overnight he joins the British Trust for Ornithology to trap and ring swallows as they gather in a mass roost to head south. So how have the swallows and other summer migrants done this year? To find our Paul Stancliffe of the BTO explains what is happening at the roost site and how their research influences our understanding of the birds' needs.

Originating from the Mediterranean, the rare Southern Oak Bush Cricket was first recorded in the UK in 2001. Since then sightings of the bright green, wingless cricket have become more frequent, but it remains more elusive than its winged, native counterpart. Chris Sperring travels with entomologist Tristan Bantock to a central London park to track one down.

David Robinson from the Department of Environment, Earth and Ecosystems at the Open University joins Brett Westwood in the studio to discuss in more depth how the Southern Oak Bush Cricket came to be in the UK.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open Universities iSpot.

Autumn is a time when the animal world is on the move with specific threats to survival.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Brett Westwood visits the festival to meet with filmmakers from around the world to discuss their work and motivations, and, back in the studio, talks with Richard Edwards, Chief Executive of Wildscreen, about the role wildlife films play in helping the world's wildlife.

Meanwhile, on a nature reserve in Gloucestershire, a critically-endangered bird has been causing quite a stir. A collaborative conservation breeding programme between the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), Birds Russia, the BTO and the RSPB aims to bring the spoon-billed sandpiper back from the brink of extinction. The conservationist are also tackling the loss of habitat on its breeding grounds and migration flyway.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open Universities iSpot.

Producer : Sheena Duncan

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood asks if film-makers put anything back in terms of wildlife conservation.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Every two years wildlife film makers from across the world arrive in Bristol to celebrate and promote the art of the wildlife filmmaker at the International Wildscreen Film Festival.

Brett Westwood visits the festival to meet with filmmakers from around the world to discuss their work and motivations, and, back in the studio, talks with Richard Edwards, Chief Executive of Wildscreen, about the role wildlife films play in helping the world's wildlife.

Meanwhile, on a nature reserve in Gloucestershire, a critically-endangered bird has been causing quite a stir. A collaborative conservation breeding programme between the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), Birds Russia, the BTO and the RSPB aims to bring the spoon-billed sandpiper back from the brink of extinction. The conservationist are also tackling the loss of habitat on its breeding grounds and migration flyway.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open Universities iSpot.

Producer : Sheena Duncan

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood asks if film-makers put anything back in terms of wildlife conservation.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

In the 1950's and 60's the tide turned, with the outlawing of certain pesticides; and this along with changing attitudes to what our British countryside was for meant that many of our birds of prey have increased dramatically over the last half century, with some conservationists stating that their recovery is one of the glories of 21st century Britain.

All birds of prey are protected by law, and 2012 saw public opinion reversing a Government plan to allow research into buzzard control to reduce the so-called 'significant' effect of buzzards on pheasant shoots. For this Saving Species, Brett Westwood discusses what does the science and the ecology of birds of prey reveal about their needs and how does this fit in to the landuse in which they live.

Birds of prey numbers are rising in the UK, but not every countryside user welcomes this.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

But can the amateur really add to the science? Many scientific communities, such as an academic study by Jeremy Thomas (Professor of Ecology at Oxford) and colleagues acknowledged that without the input from these amateur wildlife watchers much of today's understanding of the natural world would be impossible. Brett Westwood discusses this with Dr Helen Roy who has recently been asked to review the benefit of amateur observations for the scientific community.

Meanwhile, Andrew Dawes travels to Sheffield to meet Paul Richards, an invertebrate specialist, who recently found a species of giant harvestman measuring 20 centimetres across at his local bioblitz. But what effect is this alien species having on the native harvestmen, as well as on flora and fauna?

And Sarah Pitt joins Daniel Hargreaves on the shores of Blagdon Lake in Somerset as he goes in search of the Nathusius' pipistrelle - a small species of bat rarely seen in many parts of the UK.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open Universities iSpot.

Producer : Mary Colwell

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood explores the growing phenomenon of citizen science.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Recently the term Citizen Science has evolved to describe amateurs working with professionals at public events such as Bioblitz events, which were first held in 1996 in Washington DC. These involve an intense period of biological surveying within a defined area and so Brett Westwood travels to Oxford to attend the World's first Urban Bioblitz and find out for himself what over 1000 coordinated events in one weekend hope to achieve.

But can the amateur really add to the science? Many scientific communities, such as an academic study by Jeremy Thomas (Professor of Ecology at Oxford) and colleagues acknowledged that without the input from these amateur wildlife watchers much of today's understanding of the natural world would be impossible. Brett Westwood discusses this with Dr Helen Roy who has recently been asked to review the benefit of amateur observations for the scientific community.

Meanwhile, Andrew Dawes travels to Sheffield to meet Paul Richards, an invertebrate specialist, who recently found a species of giant harvestman measuring 20 centimetres across at his local bioblitz. But what effect is this alien species having on the native harvestmen, as well as on flora and fauna?

And Sarah Pitt joins Daniel Hargreaves on the shores of Blagdon Lake in Somerset as he goes in search of the Nathusius' pipistrelle - a small species of bat rarely seen in many parts of the UK.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open Universities iSpot.

Producer : Mary Colwell

Presenter : Brett Westwood

Editor : Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood explores the growing phenomenon of citizen science.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Professor Lynne Boddy from Cardiff University travels to the New Forest in search of a very rare fungus, the bearded tooth fungus (Hericium erinaceus). This species is commonly grown commercially however in the wild it is one of the rarest fungi's in the UK and it's importance in the woodland ecosystem as a wood-recycling fungus is giving conservationists cause for concern.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

A look at two rare species - the Scottish wildcat and the bearded tooth fungus.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Scottish wildcats are seen as an iconic emblem of the unspoilt wilderness of Scotland. It has been suggested that there may be fewer than one hundred pure bred wildcat in Scotland, with some studies concluding that this species may actually be rarer that the Amur tiger or even extinct as a genetic species. Saving Species reporter Karen Partridge travels to Scotland to meet Kerry Kilshaw from the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford; in the hope of finding one of the last wildcats for herself and in doing so looks at the role genetics is playing in preserving this species.

Professor Lynne Boddy from Cardiff University travels to the New Forest in search of a very rare fungus, the bearded tooth fungus (Hericium erinaceus). This species is commonly grown commercially however in the wild it is one of the rarest fungi's in the UK and it's importance in the woodland ecosystem as a wood-recycling fungus is giving conservationists cause for concern.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

A look at two rare species - the Scottish wildcat and the bearded tooth fungus.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Reporter Mark Brazil travels to the Gir Forest National Park in India to report on the plight of the last lions in Asia. through hunting and loss of habitat, the Asiatic lion was brought to near extinction. In 1972 a sanctuary was set up and from a few lions the sanctuary now holds about 400 individuals.

The Atlantic Goliath Grouper is a huge, majestic fish only found in significant numbers today off the coast of Florida. At up to 2.5m in length, they are outsized only by the few remaining sharks and they are critically endangered across their range due to historical overfishing. Goliaths are now strictly protected in Florida. Helen Scales meets her first wild goliaths in the company of Dr Sarah Frias-Torres from ORCA (Ocean Research and Conservation Association) who is studying many aspects of these huge fish including a survey of scuba divers that she hopes will show that a goliath is worth more alive than dead.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Brett Westwood reports on goliath groupers in the Caribbean and the Asiatic Lion of India.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Ash die back has been widely reported in many programmes, especially news, in recent weeks and in this programme we ask whether the call to plant trees and desire to create new woodlands has in any way contributed to this fungal attack on Ash trees. We also ask how serious a threat diseases are to our trees.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell.

Brett Westwood examines the likely impacts of Ash dieback on our wildlife.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Mark Day has been to Turkmenistan this year as part of an international group of scientists invited by the Turkmenistan government to take part in expeditions and an international science conference to explore the Koytendag Nature Reserve. The Koytendag Nature Reserve (formerly known as the Kugitang Nature Reserve, established in 1986) is located in the Lebap province. The globally endangered markhor, a large wild mountain goat, is found in the reserve. The hope is that by exploring the area and its wildlife and through international co-operation, the area will gain worldwide recognition and protection for its unique landscapes, and the wealth of rare plants and animals found in Koytendag as well as bringing benefits to local communities through tourism. Amongst the high peaks, deep canyons and gorges Mark enjoys the sight of different species of vultures wheeling overhead and discovers important botanical sources of mulberry, wild almonds and pistachios.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan.

Brett Westwood looks at the creation of a vast nature reserve in Turkmenistan.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

For Saving Species Brett Westwood travels up to the Scottish Natural Heritage conference in Edinburgh to discuss the results of this 5 year programme with the movers and shakers in Scotlands wildlife conservation.

Brett Westwood reports from the Scottish Natural Heritage conference in Edinburgh.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Brett Westwood travels to Sussex to Knepp Castle Estate to find out how landowner Charlie Burrell is managing his land in a wilder way. Once a traditional arable and dairy farm, for the last 11 years the estate has been restoring and regenerating the land to boost biodiversity and allow less intensive meat production. The 1,400 hectares are grazed by roaming herds of Old English Longhorn cattle, Exmoor ponies, pigs and deer as part of the estate's Wildland project. A stretch of the River Adur which flows through the estate is also being changed - having been canalised in the past, the path of the river is being more naturalised to restore meanders and to incorporate natural floodplains.

Chris Sperring returns to Devon a year on from his last visit to find out how some of nature's architects are managing their local patch in the second year of a three year experimental project run by the Devon Wildlife Trust. Fenced within a 2.8 hectare site, the 2 beavers, a male and female have continuing to create dams and large pools and manage the water flow across the site.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan.

Can the process of urbanisation of the British countryside be reversed through rewilding?

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Many conservationists say that the British countryside is too crowded and managed to be of real benefit to our native wildlife. For Saving Species this week Brett Westwood takes a close look at this premise and asks the question, can some areas of our managed landscape be returned to their former glory and therefore become hotspots to support our native wildlife?

Brett Westwood travels to Sussex to Knepp Castle Estate to find out how landowner Charlie Burrell is managing his land in a wilder way. Once a traditional arable and dairy farm, for the last 11 years the estate has been restoring and regenerating the land to boost biodiversity and allow less intensive meat production. The 1,400 hectares are grazed by roaming herds of Old English Longhorn cattle, Exmoor ponies, pigs and deer as part of the estate's Wildland project. A stretch of the River Adur which flows through the estate is also being changed - having been canalised in the past, the path of the river is being more naturalised to restore meanders and to incorporate natural floodplains.

Chris Sperring returns to Devon a year on from his last visit to find out how some of nature's architects are managing their local patch in the second year of a three year experimental project run by the Devon Wildlife Trust. Fenced within a 2.8 hectare site, the 2 beavers, a male and female have continuing to create dams and large pools and manage the water flow across the site.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Sheena Duncan.

Can the process of urbanisation of the British countryside be reversed through rewilding?

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell.

Brett Westwood takes a look at the relationship between wildlife conservation and art.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

We report on the news that a rare and highly endangered frog from Monserrat and Dominica in the Caribbean has successfully bred in London Zoo. Ed Drewitt discusses with Dr Ian Stephen this last chance conservation effort to save the Mountain chicken frog threatened with the Chytrid fungus; a disease fatal to 2/3 of all amphibians.

From tropical seas to the windswept island of S Georgia where the largest rat eradication project in the world is about to happen. Team Rat set off in January to save the albatrosses and petrels that nest on the sub-Antarctic eden from being eaten by rodents.

Howard discusses the establishment of marine conservation areas around the overseas territories with Alistair Gammell of the PEW Foundation. Overseas Territories are not just the land itself, it includes the seas that surround them for 200 nautical miles and include some of the richest seas in the world. Howard then questions the DEFRA Minister for Biodiversity, Richard Benyon, what the UK plans to do to help protect the precious places that make up British Overseas Territories.

Presenter Howard Stableford

Producer Mary Colwell

Editor Julian Hector.

Howard Stableford looks at conservation issues in some of the British Overseas Territories

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Joanna Pinnock visits Welney at dawn to witness the very noisy but magical spectacle of thousands of Whooper and Bewick's swans flighting off from the pools by the reserve centre to head out to feed on the fields for the day. Over 1,000 Bewick's swans arrive and up to 5,000 Whooper swans with many more out on the 2,000 hectares which make up the Ouse Washes and surrounding fields.

Chris Sperring is on the Hampshire coast at the Lymington-Keyhaven nature reserve which is home to important numbers of Dark-bellied Brent Geese amongst many other species of smaller ducks. The geese come to the reserve for the winter from Siberia. With their distinctive call, these grass grazers benefit from the rough grazing management which takes place in the summer with cattle and which ensures a short rich sward for the geese when they return for the winter.

These areas of our coastline are a vital jigsaw of protected areas providing roosting and feeding areas for so many species of ducks, geese and swans that come to the UK.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot, plus we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Presenter: Joanna Pinnock
Producer: Sheena Duncan.

The first day of 2013 sees Saving Species revelling in a winter wildfowl spectacle.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Joanna Pinnock visits Welney at dawn to witness the very noisy but magical spectacle of thousands of Whooper and Bewick's swans flighting off from the pools by the reserve centre to head out to feed on the fields for the day. Over 1,000 Bewick's swans arrive and up to 5,000 Whooper swans with many more out on the 2,000 hectares which make up the Ouse Washes and surrounding fields.

Chris Sperring is on the Hampshire coast at the Lymington-Keyhaven nature reserve which is home to important numbers of Dark-bellied Brent Geese amongst many other species of smaller ducks. The geese come to the reserve for the winter from Siberia. With their distinctive call, these grass grazers benefit from the rough grazing management which takes place in the summer with cattle and which ensures a short rich sward for the geese when they return for the winter.

These areas of our coastline are a vital jigsaw of protected areas providing roosting and feeding areas for so many species of ducks, geese and swans that come to the UK.

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot, plus we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Presenter: Joanna Pinnock
Producer: Sheena Duncan.

The first day of 2013 sees Saving Species revelling in a winter wildfowl spectacle.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Ellie Williams looks at the National Elephant Corridor Project in India which is redeveloping historical paths used by Asian elephants to travel between habitats. Many of the corridors have since been obstructed by villages, roads and railway lines so the project requires participation from communities and landowners.

In the 1980's the population of wild salmon in British rivers crashed by an estimated 70%. Initially the blame for this crash was put on the marine environment; was something affecting the adult fish returning to their spawning grounds? More recently attention has moved to freshwater rivers and whether the role the spawning and smolt survival plays a bigger influence. For 40 years the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust have carried out research on the river Frome in Dorset, which now is beginning to provide data which could one day lead to the creation of a model that could predict good and bad years for returning adult salmon adults.

Also in the programme - news from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot, plus details on how you can contribute and use the Open University's iSpot facility.

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell.

International wildlife with polar bears in Svalbard, Asian elephants and salmon in Dorset.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Presenter: Brett Westwood

Producer: Mary Colwell

Editor: Julian Hector.

Latest news on the designation of conservation areas around the English and Welsh coast.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Saving Species reports from the Congo basin on the plight of bonobos.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Bonobos are a great ape, related to chimpanzees, and are found in the forest of the Congo Basin of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The bonobos found within Salonga National Park are under threat from an increase in hunting for the bushmeat trade. While local villagers historically have hunted and eaten many animals found living in the forests, their impact on the bonobos is not significant. But with the bonobos being targetted by organised hunters from outside the Park, the meat is being sold at markets well beyond the forest and is being seen as a "luxury consumption" item, fetching a high price. Saving Species has spent time amongst the bonobos, the villagers and the biologists to find out what can be done to try and protect them from the increasing threats.
The dragon tree obtained its name due to the red resin it produces which is called "dragon's blood" and has been used over the centuries to dye clothes and stain wood - including violins. The tree is a native species of Madeira, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. There are only one or two native wild dragon trees left on Madeira and Michael Scott finds out from local conservationists what is being done to increase the number of trees in the wild from original seed.
Also in the programme - news from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot, plus details on how you can contibute and use the Open University's iSpot facility.
Presenter: Brett Westwood
Producer: Sheena Duncan
Editor: Julian Hector.

Saving Species reports from the Congo basin on the plight of bonobos.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Like the American eel, the adult European eel travels 4000 miles to spawn in the Sargasso Sea and journeys to and from UK rivers to complete its lifecycle. It also faces problems on UK rivers due to sluices, flood defences and other barriers to migration. In Europe, eel populations have also been declining and since 2007 they have been the subject of a European regulation which means that member countries have to put in place eel management plans with targeted efforts to help eel recovery.

Chinese Mitten crabs were first found in the River Thames in the 1930s. As one of the world's 100 worst invasive species it arrived via ballast water in ships that came from the Far East. The crab has distinctive furry hairs on its pincers which is how it gets its name. As the crab spreads through waterways in the UK, it is causing concern as by burying into the base of river banks it is causing erosion.

Also in the programme - news from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot, plus details on how you can use the Open University's iSpot facility.

Presenter: Brett Westwood
Producer: Sheena Duncan
Editor: Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood looks at the invasive Chinese mitten crab, plus freshwater eels.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

The American eel is a freshwater eel that spawns in the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, and travels as larvae along the North Atlantic coast to the mouth of American and Canadian rivers before travelling upriver as glass eels to mature in the river over 20-40 years. Then as a silver eel; its adult form, it migrates back down the rivers to return to the Sargasso Sea to start the cycle of life all over again. The Ottawa River in Canada is a very important river for eels as it produces a large number of female eels, so it is essential these adult female eels can get out successfully to the sea. Many hydropower dams for producing electricity on the Ottawa river prevent the eels migrating successfully as adult eels can be killed when they try and pass through the turbines. On this particular river, eel populations have suffered severe declines. New technology and design and suitable passes are helping to increase the chance of eels getting past the dam turbines.

Like the American eel, the adult European eel travels 4000 miles to spawn in the Sargasso Sea and journeys to and from UK rivers to complete its lifecycle. It also faces problems on UK rivers due to sluices, flood defences and other barriers to migration. In Europe, eel populations have also been declining and since 2007 they have been the subject of a European regulation which means that member countries have to put in place eel management plans with targeted efforts to help eel recovery.

Chinese Mitten crabs were first found in the River Thames in the 1930s. As one of the world's 100 worst invasive species it arrived via ballast water in ships that came from the Far East. The crab has distinctive furry hairs on its pincers which is how it gets its name. As the crab spreads through waterways in the UK, it is causing concern as by burying into the base of river banks it is causing erosion.

Also in the programme - news from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot, plus details on how you can use the Open University's iSpot facility.

Presenter: Brett Westwood
Producer: Sheena Duncan
Editor: Julian Hector.

Brett Westwood looks at the invasive Chinese mitten crab, plus freshwater eels.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Also in the programme - News from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot. And we'll update you on the activities of the Open University's iSpot.

Brett Westwood, the BBC Natural History Unit and the Open University look into wildlife.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Kelvin Boot finds out about the threat facing many species of moths in the southern part of the UK, the recent 'State of Britain's Larger Moths Report 2013' with data accumulated over the last 40 years has shown that there has been a 28% decline overall in abundance of larger moth species and in some areas like southern England, the figure is as high as 40%.

While moths have to be trapped and counted, the satellite transmitters attached to the BTO cuckoos allows their movements to be monitored via computer - Kelvin Jones of the BTO in Wales gives the latest movement of the cuckoos still sending signals back from Central Africa as they gear up to begin their migration back to the UK. David is the last Welsh cuckoo that information is still being received from and hopefully too the Saving Species cuckoo, Chris.

The OU and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology report on the value and legacy of wildlife records being received from everyone. iSpot and other methods of collecting information from a broad base of amateur and professional naturalists based all over the country, are amassing a vital valuable amount of data which is aiding other record centres and recording schemes to gain a better picture of the fortunes of many species and groups of animals.

Producer: Sheena Duncan

Presenter: Brett Westwood.

Brett Westwood looks at a bird on the edge of extinction - the slender-billed curlew.

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation