Video collections
Bee identification
How to tell the difference between some UK bee species - and identify which might sting.
If we're all being asked to be kinder to bees and give them a helping hand, it's useful to know how to tell the difference between them. Not all bees sting, so this is also a handy guide as to how to predict which are the stingers. Bumblebees are really quite cute close up...
The buck stops here
Thetford forest teems with exotic wildlife that's not always easy to spot.
Thetford forest teems with exotic wildlife that's not always easy to spot.
Surface tension
Pond skaters and whirligig beetles use surface tension in different ways.
Pond skaters and whirligig beetles use surface tension in different ways.
Gardening nation
The UK is more diverse metre for metre than the Amazon rainforest.
The UK is more diverse metre for metre than the Amazon rainforest.
Frolicking foxes
Bright eyed and bushy tailed, fox cubs are always ready to put on a live show.
Bright eyed and bushy tailed, fox cubs are always ready to put on a live show.
Brighton's night badgers
Alan Titchmarsh has an intimate encounter with a group of urban badgers visiting a back garden.
Alan Titchmarsh has an intimate encounter with a group of urban badgers visiting a back garden.
City hogs
Hedgehogs need at least 12 gardens to themselves before they deign to move in.
Hedgehogs need at least 12 gardens to themselves before they deign to move in.
Urban bees
Bees may be doing better in our towns and cities than out in the countryside.
Despite the serious decline in many bee populations, it would seem that the city slickers amongst bees are faring a little better than their countryside counterparts. This might shed some light on what's causing the decline.
Red or grey?
Whichever species you live near, watching the agility and ingenuity of squirrels is a delight.
Whichever species you live near, watching the agility and ingenuity of squirrels is a delight.
Worm charming
Blackbirds use vibration to attract worms to the surface.
Blackbirds use vibration to attract worms to the surface.
Damp snakes
Bill Oddie finds young grass snakes in a warm compost heap.
Bill Oddie finds young grass snakes in a warm compost heap.
Master spinner spiders
A master class in silk-spinning from the garden orb spider.
A master class in silk-spinning from the garden orb spider.
Garden oases
The UK's two million garden ponds are the saving grace for some aquatic species.
The UK's two million garden ponds are the saving grace for some aquatic species.
Slow worms
Slow worms develop young inside their bodies.
Living in the crevices between rocks, slow worms hunt by day for slugs, snails, small insects and spiders. The females give birth during summer, when up to a dozen partly developed young are born in a birth sac which soon breaks open. Developing the young inside her body keeps them at a stable temperature, protecting them from the extremes of Britain's weather.
Winter garden wildlife
Country cousins seek out the urban life.
Compost heaps provide the perfect spot for a grass snake to lay her eggs. Hatching in late September, the young quickly disperse into the garden where they fatten up on slugs and other pests before hibernating through winter. In the countryside, frog numbers have declined rapidly, so garden ponds have become vital breeding sites. Also common in back gardens is the hedgehog. Attracted by the abundance of earthworms and other food they travel far and wide to fill up.
Harlequin invasion
Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home - they're not welcome and out of control.
Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home - they're not welcome and out of control.
Cute critter
The enterprising brown rat is one of Bill Oddie's favourite animals.
The enterprising brown rat is one of Bill Oddie's favourite animals.
Orange tip metamorphosis
Close up film of a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.
Close up film of a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.
Spawning toads
Toads wade through glutinous frogspawn to release their own eggs.
Toads wade through glutinous frogspawn to release their own eggs.
Garden critters
Pitfall traps will catch a variety of predatory mini beasts in a garden.
Pitfall traps will catch a variety of predatory mini beasts in a garden.
Crowding out competition
Nettles are a haven for insects and spiders.
Nettles are a haven for insects and spiders.
Mountains or mole hills?
Is it possible to enjoy a more harmonious relationship with moles?
Is it possible to enjoy a more harmonious relationship with moles?
Dusky deer
An unusual visitor is attracted to a garden bird feeding station.
An unusual visitor is attracted to a garden bird feeding station.
Cemetery visitors
An island of calm in a sea of noise attracts some unusual visitors.
An island of calm in a sea of noise attracts some unusual visitors.
House proud husbands
Male harvestmen guard their eggs from the competition.
Some of the most exciting times in natural history film-making are when new behaviours are seen. Even a experienced entomologist can be surprised by what the close inspection from a camera can turn up. George McGavin said of this clip: 'It gives a wonderful insight into the secret leggy lives of harvestmen. This first ever footage of the male's house-proud and protective behaviour made a vivid impression on me the first time I saw it on TV.'
Flashing eyes
A terrifying encounter with a butterfly sends a wood mouse packing.
A terrifying encounter with a butterfly sends a wood mouse packing.
Gastronomic garden snails
Gourmet gastropods brought by the Romans are eating Britain out of house and home.
Gourmet gastropods brought by the Romans are eating Britain out of house and home.
Loft lovers
Bats don't need belfires, they're just as fond of nice cosy lofts.
Bats don't need belfires, they're just as fond of nice cosy lofts.
Shiny things
Water boatmen can't tell the difference between your car and a pond.
Water boatmen can't tell the difference between your car and a pond.
Bountiful bunnies
Rabbits do indeed breed like rabbits – and they climb trees.
Rabbits do indeed breed like rabbits – and they climb trees.
Wild urban gardens
Gardener Chris Baines, shows Kate Humble around his wildlife-friendly garden.
Gardener Chris Baines, shows Kate Humble around his wildlife-friendly garden.
Beauty and the bees
The average suburban garden can provide as much nectar as a square kilometer of rainforest.
The average suburban garden can provide as much nectar as a square kilometer of rainforest.
Horrible hornets
George McGavin dispels the myths behind the hornet's fearsome reputation.
George McGavin dispels the myths behind the hornet's fearsome reputation.
Master builders
Miniature cameras probe inside an occupied wasp nest.
Miniature cameras probe inside an occupied wasp nest.
Insects in detail
Close up photography adds a new dimension to a love of insects.
Jay Dykes' close up photography adds a new dimension to a love of insects.
Ant vs ladybird
Ants tend aphids like a shepherd tends his sheep.
David Attenborough looks at aphids and their relationship with ants in a garden. The ants protect the aphids from a predatory ladybird.
Hanging by a thread
A lacewing secures her eggs out of reach of predatory ants.
The lacewing makes a silk thread to hang her eggs on. This ensures that predatory ants can't reach them.
Daytime moth
Hummingbird hawk moths seek out nectar by day.
Hummingbird hawk moths seek out nectar by day.
Cabbage white emergence
Timelapse details the emergence of a butterfly from its chrysalis.
Filmed in timelapse, a cabbage white butterfly emerges from its chrysalis and inflates its wings.
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