English | 5 x 25 minutes

Producer: Sue Daly Productions.
Availability: Worldwide, all media.



An Exploration of the wildlife of the Channel Islands, a unique corner of the British Isles.

Wild Islands is a series of lively, presenter-led programmes that take the viewer on a fascinating journey to the wild side of the Channel Islands. Lying at the extreme southwest of the British Isles, the wildlife here is a unique blend of the common and the exotic. It's a place where plants and animals from much further south thrive alongside those from northern Europe making this one of nature's most dramatic crossroads. Well known as a tourist destination and a centre of international finance, this series reveals that the true value of these Islands lies in their remarkable natural history.

Travelling from the cliffs of Alderney in the north to the reed beds of Jersey in the south, Wild Islands explores the beautiful islets, woodlands and heaths in-between as well as a seashore that experiences one of the greatest tidal movements in the world. From the rise and rise of the peregrine falcon to seahorses breeding in the most unexpected place, we reveal some of the rarest wildlife in Europe, both above and below the waves.

The series has been photographed and presented by award-winning wildlife filmmaker Sue Daly, who, with documentary filmmaker John Jacques, produced the programmes. So join us for Wild Islands and discover a side of the British Isles you never knew existed.

1. Wild Sark
Our exploration of Sark begins at sea level as we circumnavigate the tiny island by boat and discover the wealth of seabirds living on the sheer granite cliffs. We'll encounter the resident peregrine falcons, the breath-taking aerial hunters that were once almost extinct in the British Isles. We'll also venture underwater to reveal the coral encrusted reefs and remarkably colourful marine life that thrives beneath the waves. Back on dry land we'll go in search of one of the rarest mammals in Europe; the infamous black rat.

2. Wild Invaders
The dozens of battlements, castles and lookout towers that fortify our coasts testify to the stormy human history of the Channel Islands. Yet for centuries foreign invaders have been blatantly breaching our defences and setting up home on our seashores and cliffs and in our woodlands and countryside. They've even infiltrated our fresh water supply. From invasive plants and exotic egrets to pheasants, fulmars and red squirrels, the Islands are awash with alien wildlife. In Wild Invaders we ask why some of these newcomers are considered precious additions to our native flora and fauna while others are far from welcome.

3. Wild Spring
Spring comes early to the Channel Islands bringing with it a surge of activity in the natural world. In Wild Spring we begin our seasonal investigations on the seashore where the restless over-wintering waders & brent geese are preparing for their incredible journeys north. Inland we reveal a different kind of migration as hoards of common toads make the hazardous pilgrimage back to the pools where they were spawned to breed themselves. We also look at the problems facing the increasingly rare agile frog and witness the barnstorming aerial displays of the courting lapwings. We end with a front row seat at the most spectacular natural performance of all; the dawn chorus.

4. Wild Harbours
Harbours are an essential part of island life. Every year tens of thousands of people and millions of tonnes of freight arrive in the Channel Islands by sea. With all this human activity it's hard to imagine that there's much room left for wildlife but this programme reveals that there's more going on in our harbours than meets the eye. From surprisingly bold seabirds and massive marine worms to seahorses, edible plants and bizarre swimming sea slugs, Wild Harbours explores the remarkably rich flora and fauna of the Islands' maritime gateways.

5. Wild Alderney
Of all these wild Islands, Alderney has arguably the greatest wealth of wildlife from rare butterflies and wild flowers to the ten thousand strong gannet colony. In Wild Alderney we'll explore the island's fascinating heaths, cliffs and meadows and visit Burhou, home to the largest puffin colony in the Channel Islands. Our journey will end with an encounter with the island's most endearing wild resident, the blonde hedgehog.