Ontelly

Saving Species - Episode 32

Logo for Saving Species - Episode 32

32/40. This is a special programme in front of an audience from the 100 Foot Washes in Norfolk. This wonderland of a wetland is refuge to 3000 Bewick's Swans and 700 Whooper Swans during the winter. The Bewicks have migrated from Arctic Russia and the Whoopers from their Arctic breeding grounds in Iceland. The programme is being recorded at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust's bird Observatory at their Welney Centre. We'll guarantee sound, drama and enlightening conversation from our invited panel and an audience all in the company of these birds that have been said to "carry winter on their wings". Many would say they love swans, but are the wetlands on which they reside in winter or nest in summer revered to the same extent? Do wetlands have a bad image of "swamps and smelly mud" rather than places of beauty? Does it help they are branded places "rich in biodiversity" and perform "essential ecological services" - do we need to like wetlands to appreciate their value to wildlife and us - do they need to be re-branded? All questions for the panel and audience. Presented by Brett Westwood Produced by Sheena Duncan Series Editor Julian Hector.