BBC Wild Isles: Latest episode captures scenes of Wiltshire

On Sunday, April 2, the episode theme was freshwater habitats and features Hobbies, which are small birds of prey that often feed on the wing, hunting dragonflies over the waters of Langford Lakes at Steeple Langford.

Image: Ralph Harvey (Image: Ralph Harvey)

This is where Otters and even, White-Tailed Fishing Eagles are regular visitors to the nature reserve. 

Another Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve was filmed by a TV crew at Clattinger Farm, near Ashton Keynes, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

It is known for its fabulous wildflowers and richness of wildlife.

Farmed traditionally without the use of artificial fertilisers, visitors can see orchids, snakeshead fritillaries and meadow saffron as well as lapwings and snipe foraging on the wet meadows.

Image: Stephen Davis (Image: Stephen Davis)

Chief executive of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Gary Mantle said: “We are delighted that two of our fabulous nature reserves, Clattinger Farm and Langford Lakes, have been showcased in the BBC’s Wild Isles series.

“They are two of the finest examples of our county’s wild places, offering people the chance to have some unique experiences in nature. The Trust manages 43 nature reserves spread across Wiltshire and Swindon. They represent some of the finest examples of wildlife habitat to be found in Britain, where people can directly experience our rich natural world.”

Image: Andy Morffew (Image: Andy Morffew)

Wild Isles with David Attenborough is produced by Silverback Films and co-produced by RSPB, WWF and the Open University and it features two stunning locations cared for by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust: Clattinger Farm at the Trust’s Lower Moor Farm nature reserve complex in North Wiltshire and Langford Lakes nature reserve in South Wiltshire.

Gary added: “We hope this series will inspire people to value and take action for nature at a time when the diversity and abundance of wildlife are in decline.

“Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and its supporters are working tirelessly to protect and restore our county’s precious wild places. We aim to double the land we manage for nature in Wiltshire by 2030 so that future generations can grow up able to enjoy more wildlife spectacles such as those captured in the series like the hobbies soaring over Langford Lakes as they hunt dragonflies.”