Bill Oddie's Wild Side - Episode 9

Bill joins cameraman John on a river in Scotland and tests his patience with a challenge to film a family of dippers. This multi-talented bird soon appears from the dark peaty waters and provides John with a whole load of entertainment. It's also judgement day for a load of rooks. Not only are these birds intent on making a racket but their raucous behaviour leads Bill to draw similarities between them and politicians. He explores some of the folklore surrounding these birds and with a bit of role play brings order to chaos. Up in a woodland wilderness, Bill explores plans to reintroduce beavers to the British countryside. These giant rodents look cute and cuddly but are still viewed by some as interfering tree-fellers with no place in our countryside. Bill spends some time tracking them down and finds out that beavers can in fact have a positive effect on the landscape. Elsewhere the sun is shining down on sound recordist Chris as he kicks back in a summertime meadow. Bill joins him to examine life in the undergrowth and together they get a buzz out of the many creatures living there. With Chris's audio wizardry they manage to seek out some mini-beasts together but it is only when somebody truly puts their foot in it that they unearth the amazing sounds of a magical underground home. And finally we venture back into Bill's garden to take a look at the nocturnal guests. It's the fly by night visitors that Bill is interested in, so he sets a trap to entice these beauties down from above.