Wild Isles — S01E03 — Grassland

00:00:30 Our isles were once covered by ice.

00:02:28 Hares are Britain's fastest mammal,

00:05:10 But since then, we have lost more than 95%

00:07:04 all doing their best to escape from their parents.

00:09:18 habitat loss to intensive agriculture

00:11:50 and the herd's numbers are increasing.

00:14:16 made by Britain's most abundant mammal.

00:16:45 Short-eared owls can hear a whisker scratching against grass.

00:19:43 for the bee.

00:22:30 Bolt holes are essential...

00:25:22 And foxes know that.

00:28:10 why half of our butterfly species are now at risk of extinction.

00:30:57 that becomes carnivorous.

00:33:36 Each male competes to claim a small area in the centre of the lek

00:36:25 He's been lucky this morning,

00:39:41 ..until she allows him to mate.

00:42:33 But being a great aerial dancer isn't enough.

00:45:44 An antler in the eye would blind him.

00:49:15 The team travelled to Islay in the Scottish Hebrides.

00:50:45 But these early efforts eventually paid off

00:52:20 The tower hides enable views right across the grassland

00:53:43 It's basically Top Gun for eagles.

00:55:16 The team's dogged persistence has paid off

00:57:28 just search Wild Isles on the BBC website.