Secret Garden
Bank vole (Myodes glareolus)
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
The bank vole is Britain's smallest vole, measuring 8-12 cm, with a tail 6 cm long. It lives from 6 to 18 months in grassland, farmland, woodland, moors, or gardens.
I am probably late to watching the series but have just seen the first of five episodes of ‘Secret Garden,’ introduced by David Attenborough. Superb camera work brought to life the lives of insects, tiny mammals, like bank voles, jewel-like kingfishers, a grass snake swimming, and otters, among many other wonders.
The setting was a river surrounding a mill house in Oxfordshire, whose garden is flooded regularly. As is common with wildlife documentaries, there were moments of tension - an otter stalked nine ducklings unable yet to fly, and their mother acted as a decoy to save her brood.
Red kites soared above. They are scavengers but will take an easy meal of small prey if it presents itself. Aggressive damselflies feasted on mayflies.
The skill and patience of the camera men (and they usually seem to be men!) was matched by their hardiness. I don’t know how many people would willingly sit in a hide in a river for five days to capture an elusive otter on film.
If you have already seen this programme, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. If you haven’t, please watch it if you can.
What is the difference between a vole and a shrew?
ReplyDeleteShrews have long pointy snouts and voles don't. Their ears are different too. It's like looking at a greyhound next to a labrador.
DeleteYou are much more likely to see a vole than a shrew, too.
DeleteWhat is the difference between a Tracy and a Janice?
DeleteI loved the programme...
ReplyDeletePerfect.
DeleteI do love wildlife programmes recorded in UK, so I loved secret garden, lots of wildlife I witnessed as a child growing up in Somerset.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much around us, if we only care to look.
DeleteThe cameramen take amazing footage. I will definitely look out for this programme
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DeleteThey have such skill and patience, and excellent equipment, of course.
DeleteI bet this was fascinating to watch. I can't imagine sitting there manning a camera for 5 days.
ReplyDeleteI'm not tough enough for that!
DeleteDavid Attenborough never fails to reveal the extraordinary lives hidden within ordinary landscapes, and the dedication of the camera crews is every bit as impressive as the wildlife they capture.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Each programme is an example of superb teamwork.
DeleteI expect we will see it here in time. It sounds terrific, and anything with the Attenborough stamp on it will be good. We don't have volves or shrews here.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will.
DeleteMaybe someday this program will make it over here on public TV like so many of his others.
ReplyDeleteI hope it does come to you.
DeleteI recently saw a video that included a white science sort of lady sleeping out in the wild African Savannah all on her own. Except for the camera guys who were there to film her all on her own.
ReplyDeleteThose 'solo' videos amuse me. I suppose people can now use drones, so can be 'all alone.'
DeleteOne of Attenborough's programs is airing here; I believe it's called Earth. I've seen bits and it's quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteHe has been an advocate for careful monitoring and conserving of our planet for decades, along with King Charles.
DeleteI am dedicated to Sir David’s documentaries and will keep my eye open for this series.
ReplyDeleteLike all his work, t's a documentary that is worth watching again and again, for all the detailed information.
DeleteFrom what you write I think I have seen this documentary I even wondered how the photograph was able to take such pictures ! the little vole looks so cute, I think I have never seen such an animal. I always love to see docu films about animals I don't know and the places where they live. Not so long ago I suddenly had the Lake of Garda on my screen, it was a film about Italy and the way life there.
ReplyDeleteIt makes you realise how fragile life is for these little creatures. That they survive at all is a miracle.
DeleteIt doesn't look like the series is readily available in my area but I will keep a look out for it.
ReplyDeleteI hope it does make its way to you.
DeleteI saw that series when it first went out and enjoyed it. Like you, I always think of the camera-persons (aren't I being PC?!!) and how much time they must hang around for 30 seconds of footage.
ReplyDeleteWell done on your wokeness. 😉Camera operators (now who's being pc??) are a breed apart and don't really receive the appreciation they deserve in my opinion.
DeleteThanks for the elbow jog. I really love this kind of program.
ReplyDeleteThey're wonderful programmes and can be watched over and over.
ReplyDeleteWe loved that series. They got some astonishing footage of those critters -- far better than my garden cam!
ReplyDeleteYour garden cam is not too shabby at all!
DeleteDavid Attenborough is a hero of mine and I will definitely seek out this series which I had not heard of. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteHe really is a national treasure, possibly a global one. 😃
DeleteWhat a delightful review, my friend! The wildlife descriptions are vivid and engaging. David Attenborough’s documentaries never fail to inspire appreciation for nature and the remarkable creatures around us.
ReplyDeleteBig hello from Indonesia
Wildlife documentaries allow a fascinating insight to a world most of us would not see otherwise.
DeleteNo, I haven't seen this series ... many thanks for highlighting it here.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I'm watching it on iPlayer. 😃
DeleteWe have both moles and voles here...and I'm not fond of either. (They wreak havoc in the gardens and lawn.) Your bank vole is much more endearing than ours.
ReplyDeleteI think these little creatures are known as 'Nature's engineers.'
DeleteThe vole's coat is a gorgeous colour, I know many women who would pay many $$$ to get all those different tints and have them look "real"
ReplyDeleteI can't watch David Attenborough shows, the slow pace and monotonous speech tone put me to sleep.
I appreciate what you say - the voice can be hypnotic.
DeleteThe series sounds exactly like my kind of thing, but I am not sure it'll be available here. I'll check.
ReplyDeleteI expect it will be available at some point, although it is very 'English' and may not travel quite so well.
DeleteSounds like a great show! Hope it comes to my Britbox. Sometimes the Spring/Autumn/Winter watch ones come and they are fun to watch!
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll have the chance to see it.
DeleteHaven't seen it. Sounds interesting and I enjoy learning about nature.
ReplyDeleteIt's well worth watching if you have the opportunity.
DeleteThank you, Janice. I will take a look at this series.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it.
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