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Living World

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

The Living World

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

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

Living World: The Highland Midge

19/06/2016

The Highland Midge

BBC Radio 4 - Living World, The Highland Midge

Lionel Kelleway is on the look out for the Highland midge.

Chris Packham relives programmes from the Living World archives. In this programme recorded in 2006, Lionel Kelleway is on the look out for the Highland midge.

Chris Packham relives programmes from The Living World archives.

Despite its tiny size, the highland midge is often dubbed the scourge of the Scottish holidaymaker. In this programme recorded in 2008, Lionel Kelleway is joined by midge scientist Dr Alison Blackwell at Loch Laggan in the Scottish Highlands. On a warm damp day the mighty gathering as Alison calls it has not quite arrived but as the day warms clouds of midge begin to encircle them.

Our own annoyance at its ability to disrupt our BBQ's, camping trips, countryside walks - oh and of course bird watching, it is worth remembering that midges are a vital part of the natural food chain. And our knowledge and understanding of midge biology has continued to grow.

Producer Andrew Dawes.

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