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Northumberland Coast
The Northumberland coast is steeped in history and crowned with castles. It has some of our most dramatic scenery with wide, golden sands set against dark, granitic rocks. This week Adam and Ellie travel to the Farne Islands to experience some of the best wildlife-watching in the UK. And then back on dry land, Ellie unearths some of the secrets of Northumberland’s past while Adam discovers the benefits of organic farming.
BBC Coast: The Forgotten Coast -
The Farne Islands
The Farne Islands are home to some of our most iconic birds, including the Puffin. Ellie lends Newcastle University researchers a hand as they use satellite technology to discover more about the habits of this beautiful bird. The craggy islands are also home to thousands of Terns who aren’t afraid of getting close up and personal in order to defend their eggs.
National Trust: Farne Islands -
Organic Farming
The lush, fertile farmland along the Bamburgh coast is fast becoming one of the prime areas for growing cereals including wheat, barley and oilseed rape. Adam meets a family of farmers who are in the process of de-toxing their land in order to grow organic crops and produce organic meat. At a time when some farmers are losing money on their cereal crops, the family show there is still money to be made from organic produce.
Soil Association -
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh Castle is one of the most imposing and dramatic landscapes in Northumberland and boasts more than 7,000 years of history. Ellie goes to the site to meet a group of archaeologists, who’ve made it their lives work to tell the story of the castle and the people who lived there. The castle is still lived in today but needs constant care and restoration to preserve it for the future.
Bamburgh Research Project -
Grey Seals
Grey seals are thriving on the UK’s shores, and the Farne Islands is home to a healthy population of around 4000. In the summer, they spend most of their lives in the sea but in the winter, they haul out on to the rocky shores of the island. Adam takes to a sea kayak to see some of these graceful mammals at play and discovers how vital research into what they are eating will help create a better understand the island ecosystem.
BBC Wildlife Finder: Grey Seal -
GM Returns
Genetically modifying our food crops to make them resistant to disease and pests caused huge controversy when it was first proposed back in the nineties. As a result, proposed trials have been on ice for the last few years. But now, two major new studies are underway. So is GM back on the agenda? John has been to investigate.
BBC Blogs: Radio 4: Tom Feilden, Science Correspondent: A Tale of Two Spuds -
Tulip Fields
The glorious sight of tulips in full bloom are more traditionally associated with the Dutch landscape than with the familiar green fields of home. So it may come as a surprise to learn the fields of East England were once famous for their flowers. Plant expert James Wong goes to see the tulips for himself - and to try his hand at selling some at one of the county's few remaining flower auctions.
Wikipedia: Spalding, Lincolnshire
Credits
- Presenter
- Adam Henson
- Presenter
- Ellie Harrison
- Presenter
- John Craven
- Presenter
- James Wong
- Producer
- Teresa Bogan
- Executive Producer
- Andrew Thorman
