Wild Isles Episode 3 - Key Stories

PHOTO: A pair of male adders ‘dancing’, which is in fact a battle to subdue their opponent. Northumberland, England. (Image: BBC/Silverback Films/Harry Yates)

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New/Remarkable Behaviour

Adders mating – the males are dragged around by their penises by the females, staying bound together by dozens of penis barbs that have evolved for this purpose. Filmed in Northumberland, this is the first time this behaviour has been shot in such detail.

The crew set up three different camera channels and observed more than 50 adders to capture this behaviour. They also aimed to demonstrate how male adders can be quite sensitive, contrary to popular perception, and are quite gentle during the courting process.

Camerawoman Katie Mayhew says: “To get the super low angle shots at the same level as the snakes, we underslung the rig so the camera and lens could slide almost touching the floor - at some points I even had snakes on the equipment and on my boots! Once I was set up, I could then operate the slider a few meters away so I could give the snakes some space to behave naturally. As soon as the mating behaviour started, I jumped quickly onto another camera set up, which was a tripod and a long lens, so I could follow a mating pair easier and help capture some of the more intimate behaviours, like the male head tapping the female. These truly are stunning creatures and I really enjoyed spending so much time filming and getting to know and understand the species better.”

Large blue butterfly, a re-introduced species from Scandinavian stock, Green Down Somerset Wildlife Trust Reserve, England, UK

Filming First

Large blue butterfly - first time this species’ lifecycle has ever been filmed in full. Since extinction in 1979, thanks to pioneering reintroductions, our shores are now believed to be home to one of the largest concentrations of large blue butterflies anywhere in the world*.

Filmed over three years, the team were in Gloucestershire and Somerset trying to capture this footage with only a narrow window available, as the adult butterflies hatch and breed over a period of just a few weeks each year.

New/Remarkable Behaviour

Mason bee (aka the “witch bee”) – filmed in Dorset, this bee nests in old snail shells and collects dried grass for her nest, making it appear like she’s riding a broomstick as she flies with the grass. First time this behaviour has been filmed in such detail.

The team used a macro lens to film the bee’s behaviour inside the shell as she collected up to 100 sticks for her nest. They used the expertise of an entomologist to help them follow her on her journey.

New/Remarkable Behaviour

Boxing hares -  filmed in Suffolk, the females  rebuff the advances of over-amorous suitors and often win the bout. The males need to prove they are tough enough to be a suitable mate without hurting the female.

New/Remarkable Behaviour

Field voles – they are Britain’s most populous mammal, numbering about 75 million*, but most people have never seen one. This is the first time we’ve been able to show just how field voles reshape the grassland underground.

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BBC One on 12 March at 7pm to 8pm.

Source BBC One

March 23, 2023 5:00am ET by BBC One  

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