Iolo's Secret Life of Birds

Synopsis

Iolo Williams explores the behaviour of birds in Wales, revealing all aspects of their lives from surviving harsh winters and avoiding predators, to living alongside us in our towns and cities.

First Air Date: 2010-11-14

Last Air Date: 2010-12-12

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 5

Networks: BBC One

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Iolo Williams as Himself - Presenter

Seasons

Season 1 (2010)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Dawn Chorus (2010-11-14)

In this first episode, he investigates how and why birds communicate, looking at the reasons snipe use their tail feathers to make a very distinctive noise and what's happening when thousands of starlings participate in stunning aerial displays in Aberystwyth.
Ep. 2: Feathering the Nest (2010-11-21)

In this episode, Iolo investigates the courtship and nesting behaviour of birds, including the amazing courtship display of great crested grebes at a reservoir near Pontypool, the impressive sky dance of hen harriers in the dramatic Cambrian Mountains, how nuthatch use mud like cement to prepare their nest in a woodland near Harlech, and why long-tailed tits near Newtown are exceptional nest builders.
Ep. 3: Living on the Edge (2010-11-28)

Iolo discovers the difficulties birds face in order to stay alive, and the programme includes a dramatic scene in which a sparrow hawk seizes the moment to attack a wood pigeon nest.
Ep. 4: Living with Us (2010-12-05)

In this fourth episode, Iolo Williams explores how birds in Wales have adapted to living alongside us, making use of our buildings, parks and gardens and even the waste we throw away. One of the most notorious urban birds is the gull and Iolo explains why these very adaptable and intelligent birds are doing so well in Cardiff.
Ep. 5: Designed for a Welsh Life (2010-12-12)

In this final episode, Iolo explores bird design - from their ability to fly to the way that their beak design, colour and camouflage enable them to live in the many habitats Wales has to offer. Using ultra-slow motion photography, Iolo looks at how garden birds have such control over take off and landing, and explains why fulmars are one of our most supreme fliers.