Living The Wildlife

Chough, Fulmar and the Storm Petrel (2x1)

Air date: May 02, 2009

The Island of Ireland is surrounded by an incredible coastline and at a combined length of 1,400 km is visually one of the most spectacular to be seen anywhere in the world. It is also home to a diverse array of wildlife; in particular a rich assortment of seabird life. Travelling first to the beautiful Cliffs of Moher, Colin introduces us to the ‘Chough’ or ‘Sea Crow’. With a glossy black plumage and crimson red bills and legs, this noisy bird is simply unmistakable. Meeting up with experts such as Mike Twebury, and climbing right in amongst the caves in which they nest, Colin gets up close and personal, and gives us a view of this seabird that is seen by few! With birds in mind he goes to visit a family of seabirds known as the ‘Tubenoses’. Camping on an island that has not been inhabited for the past 500 years, Colin gets the opportunity to film the Fulmer, a bird reminiscent of a seagull, that has a nasty surprise for any predators or nosey observers that come their way! As well as this, Colin uses some unusual methods of technology to get within touching distance of the rare Storm Petrel. Filmed in pitch black via night vision cameras, we get to see this beautiful bird in action, even if Colin doesn’t! Whether it be scrambling along cliffs, sticking his head in nesting holes, or even climbing on top a tractor in a farmers shed, Colin goes to all lengths to get the best shots of nature, we often scarcely get to see.