A ten-part natural history of Britain and Ireland.
Presented by Julian Pettifer 9: Sheltering with Man
Ever since our ancestors lived in caves we have shared our homes with wildlife. Today the cave swallow and cave spider are still living with us, as are woodworm and dry rot that came from the forest.
The familiar house sparrow and house mouse came with the first farmers, while black rats. ravens and kites flourished on the waste of medieval Britain.
Today foxes, bats, robins and blackbirds have left the dwindling woodland, and with cuckoos, sparrowhawks and badgers can be found thriving in suburbia. In the heart of London, kestrels raise their families and wild birds feed from our hands.
To the animals that live with us, our modern world is simply a backdrop for the natural drama of their lives. Photography ANDREW ANDERSON
OWEN NEWMAN. MICHAEL RICHARDS Film editor CHARLES ALDRIDGE Produced by JOHN DOWNER
Executive producer PETER CRAWFORD BBC Bristol
* CEEFAX SUBTITLES