Video Diary: Night watch - will the Geese chicks jump?

From www.ironammonite.com

I stay awake on a cliff top watching a nest of Barnacle Geese... will the chicks jump? Gordon sleeps by his camera waiting to film. We should have plenty of warning but will the night work out how we planned?

Keeping an eye out for Polar Bears

From www.ironammonite.com

Video Diary: We finally discover Barnacle Geese nests

From www.ironammonite.com



Paul Williams and Lasse Ostevold discover Barnacle Geese nests on a very cold day on Svalbard.

Video Diary: Where has the Barnacle Goose nest gone?

From www.ironammonite.com



The Barnacle Goose nest we found yesterday may not have been a nest afterall!

Video Diary: Searching the canyon for Barnacle Geese nests

From www.ironammonite.com



I and Lasse Ostevold search high and low for Barnacle Geese nests in a Svalbard canyon.

 A view from within looking out from the entrance to the canyon.

Video Diary - Arriving in Noisdalen, Svalbard

From www.ironammonite.com



I arrive in Noisdalen, Sassendalen, Svalbard, on a mission to film Barnacle Geese.

Video Diary - Oslo on my way to the Arctic

I am currently in Oslo on my way to Svalbard, in the High Arctic, to film Barnacle Geese. I don't know whether I'll be able to update this blog very much but If I can get a satellite connection I'll be sending video, text and photos back for the BBC website. See below for my most recent video diary.

Video Diary - Oslo on my way to the Arctic

You may have noticed that the Naturewatch updates have slowed a little. This is due to being out of the country filming quite a bit recently. I am currently in Oslo on my way to Svalbard to film Barnacle Geese. If I can get a satellite connection I'll be sending video, text and photos back for the BBC website. See below for my most recent video diary.

If anyone else would like to contribute or add to Naturewatch then please do get in touch.

Springwatch shines from Norfolk

Since I worked on Britains Goes Wild (the precursor to Springwatch) back in 2005 I have been an avid fan of the annual Springwatch extravaganza on BBC 1. It grows from strength to strength and has been as great as ever this year. The daring decision to move to a new location in Norfolk, from Devon, really paid off with rich live stories from the remote cameras and a fresh new feel to the show. It has been getting big audiences of 3 to 4 million every night - some of the highest on BBC2 for May and June.

The last programmes will be on iPlayer for a few more days so if you haven’t managed to watch I'd encourage anyone with an interest in British Wildlife to watch a couple of episodes: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

The website http://www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch/ is also a world apart from its previous incarnations, flash, easy, and with lots of clickability. Its message boards have really been buzzing and its immediate approach to British wildlife and its interactivity seem "to reach parts" that many other programmes just don’t. eg. see this heartwarming message called "Springwatch Saved My Life" http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbsn/F10211074?thread=5563319

Presenter Kate Humble with two of the stars behind the scenes, producers Tim Scoones and Colin Jackson - Naturewatch salutes you! http://www.hatherleigh.net/Springwatch_2006_index.asp

Should we really be scared of the Komodo dragon? Awesome scenes captured for the upcoming BBC series "Life"

By Alastair Fothergill, BBC Natural History Unit Executive, writing for the Mail

"The scent of blood, carried on the air, is caught by more of these monsters lurking in the vicinity and they converge on this act of prehistoric carnage. Before long, 20 lizards, most of them heavier than a fullgrown man, are indulging in an orgy of death and gluttony."

The scene sounds as if it is from Jurassic Park. In fact, it is one of the most extraordinary moments of life in the wild yet captured on camera, and will be shown next year as part of the BBC's major new series, Life, from its Natural History Unit.

read more digg story

Giant panda sex secrets revealed

The giant panda's courtship and mating sequence - from boisterous beginning to noisy ending - has been filmed in the wild for what may be a TV first. A BBC Natural History team recorded the magic moments deep in the bamboo forest that lines China's Qinling mountains. "I liken it to Chewbaccas in a pub brawl," explained Gavin Maxwell, the producer of Wild China. This is not the first time panda sex has been filmed in the wild, but it is thought to be one of the most complete courtship sequences ever caught on camera. Mr Maxwell described the venture as an eye-opener - to see pandas in a context that is far removed from the shy, placid reputation we traditionally associate with the animals. "Occasionally, you will be sitting there quietly trying to keep in the background and the males will suddenly come charging out of the bamboo towards you," he explained. Wild China is the BBC's first ever co-production with Chinese state television. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7438975

Photography: Red Knot Migration & Horseshoe Crabs

From www.ironammonite.com

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Shorebirds flying at Mispillion Harbour, Delaware

Watching for Red Knots with the Delaware Shorebird project

Me and cameraman Michael Male filming spawning horseshoe crabs

Me with a large female Horseshoe Crab

World on the Move Radio Report from Delaware

From www.ironammonite.com

Visit the BBC World on the Move site for more from Delaware and the migration of the Red Knots.

Listen to this edition of the World on the Move for our report from Delaware on the migration of the Red Knots. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/worldonthemove/programmes/programme-19/

Programme Summary:

It's Midsummer and we're at something of a turning point in the natural world. Following the launch of our Gardenwatch, House Martin and Garden Moth surveys last week, Philippa and Brett discuss some of your sightings. John Altringham is down in the cemetery with the Daubenton's Bats, we take another look at Cuckoos and we have a special report from Delaware Bay in Washington State, US where Red Knots have been feasting on Horseshoe Crabs.