Secret Life of The Forest

Secret cameras capture the spectacular beauty of Dalby and Cropton Forests on the edge of the North York Moors, and the incredible species of wildlife that inhabit them. In the first episode, cameras follow a family of beavers that were established in Cropton in 2019 as part of a scientific trial to see how they would change the landscape. Elsewhere in the forest, Britain's only venomous snake, the adder, soaks up the heat of the summer sun, and a team of bird conservationists are on the lookout for nightjars.

Summer is now in full swing in Yorkshire's Dalby and Cropton Forests. With the passing of the solstice, the days may be shortening but the heat is building. At the beaver pond in Cropton Forest, cameras reveal the family continuing to transform their habitat by building dams and reshaping the landscape. Meanwhile, a group of six Exmoor ponies feed on hardy vegetation, which allows for wildflowers and orchids to grow.

Dalby and Cropton forests are in the midst of a heatwave and for some creatures the heat could be deadly, with bumblebees forced to stay in their nests so they do not overheat. Ecologist Cath is on a mission to discover just how many new members of the resident beaver family there are, while dedicated volunteers monitor appearances of the turtle dove, which is on the brink of extinction.

The warm Summer days continue in Dalby and Cropton Forests. The lack of rain even sees Yorkshire on the brink of drought status. But at the beaver pond their work continues, creating the perfect watery habitat for the family to thrive in. Now they have two young kits to teach all their incredible building skills. Having built a dam over seventy metres long, they have now moved on to other construction projects as they appear to be expanding their territory. For the baby beavers it is set to be some education. With secret cameras across the forest, we are able to see some of the forest's other youngsters investigating their new surroundings, from fawns nervously exploring, to badger cubs appearing out of their setts for the first time and learning how to play-fight with their siblings. These cameras also help us watch the life around the beaver pond. Since their arrival in Cropton, there has been a dramatic increase in many other species. Their pond is now teeming with frogs, toads, fis

It's the height of Summer in Dalby and Cropton Forests and the inhabitants are making the most of the abundance the warm weather provides. The forests are a hive of activity. Nowhere more so than the beaver pond. The young kits born earlier in the Summer are now starting to explore further afield. But we see how they are bonding with the rest of the family during one of the beavers' most important tasks: grooming. Keeping their thick fur in the best possible condition is vital, while also being a chance to get close to your nearest and dearest. For the kits it's not all about grooming – as nature's great lumberjacks, they will soon need to master the skill of tree chewing. Gnawing through bark is no easy task, but a beaver's famous two front teeth are the perfect tools for the job, and we witness them at work. The forest is a place that celebrates its recent history as we learn about the Lumberjills, the affectionate name given to the women who worked in the forest during World War Two

With autumn well on its way, much of the wildlife in Dalby and Cropton Forests prepare for a new season and all that it brings. Over at the beaver pond, ecologist Cath is keeping a close eye on the family, as the older siblings begin to show signs of causing conflict in the wider group. Meanwhile, apprentice forester Holly must master using a chainsaw as the team cut down trees that could be risky to the public.

Summer is coming to an end in Dalby and Cropton Forests. After record breaking temperatures, the air now feels fresher. But with the leaves already turning orange and the berries ripening, August is seeing a false Autumn taking place, caused by heat and drought. At the beaver pond, it's at this time of year you have a good chance of seeing one of the great sights of British wildlife: the kingfisher. They can be seen perched on a branch sticking out of the beaver dams, a captivating presence with their vibrant colours of turquoise and orange. Then, in a flash, they dive head first into the water and emerge with a catch. Deep in the forest, the search is on for a much harder creature to spot: the pine marten. Once a common sight in North Yorkshire, hunting and a loss of woodland put them on the brink of extinction in England. It's only in recent years there have been exciting developments suggesting they are back in our forests. They are now one of Dalby's rarest animals with a dedicated

It's the start of autumn in Dalby and Cropton Forests. Change is in the air as the sun's power is fading. After months of warm weather, and even a false autumn, more leaves are beginning to turn a golden yellow and many of the birds are preparing for their migration south. Life among the trees might seem to be slowing down, but underneath the canopy there is a transformation taking place. It's showtime for one of the delights of autumn: fungi.