BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Living World

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Getting up close and personal with wild nature in Britain and beyond.

Intimate encounters and extraordinary observations of wild nature in Britain and beyond.

The Living World

Living World: Nest Finder of Dartmoor

Nest Finder of Dartmoor

15/08/2010

BBC Radio 4 - Living World, Nest Finder of Dartmoor

Lionel Kelleway and Mark Lawrence hunt for birds' nests hidden on Dartmoor.

Lionel Kelleway is on Dartmoor, finding out how Mark Lawrence is able to locate hundreds of birds' nests each summer amongst the bracken and gorse.

5/18. If you're out walking on Dartmoor and see a hump of camouflage netting with binoculars poking out, don't be alarmed. It's likely to be Mark Lawrence at work. 

Thousands of birds make their nests amongst the bracken and gorse of dartmoor, tucked into hollows low in the brush. Finding them is Mark's passion. But they are totally hidden, so how does he do it? Lionel Kelleway asked the same question and goes on a nest-finding expedition with Mark to watch him in action. It turns out that it's all about observation. Picking up clues which signal where the nests are: clues from the behaviour of the parent birds. 

In just one morning Mark and Lionel find Pippits' nests, two of which have been taken over by enormous cuckoo chicks; a whinchat brood just hatched and finally a rare and precious family of young Grasshopper Warbler chicks. 

So why does Mark do it? Listen now to find out.

Presented by Lionel Kelleway
Produced by Tania Dorrity.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Living World

Nest Finder of Dartmoor

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4