Groundbreaking TV series on Welsh wildlife begins

Naturalist Iolo Williams, renowned for his passion for conservation and wildlife, will present a new six-part series tonight on S4C.

'Natur Cymru' will take viewers on a journey across Wales' wetlands, mountains, forest and coastline through four breathtaking seasons.

Iolo, 45, who lives in Meifod, Powys says, "I've wanted to present this sort of series for years, an in-depth look at nature in Wales - the type of series that people will look back on in years to come and say, 'that's what nature was like in Wales in the first decade of the new millennium.'

"Natur Cymru breaks new ground by covering every type of habitat in Wales, filming the largest variety of species using the latest film technology. The series certainly takes a new look at a number of species, but perhaps the greatest scoop are the scenes of the red squirrel in the wild in Wales.

"But what I want to emphasise is that the series shows that most of these wonderful sights can be seen on our doorstep. I want to encourage viewers to go out to watch wildlife and to appreciate our natural heritage."

The series has been filmed by Steve Phillips and Paul Kay, two of the UK's most experienced wildlife cameramen who captured Iolo's adventures in High Definition format. Indeed, the ambitious project led to eighteen months of intense filming, focusing on hundreds of species in tens of locations in all weathers. Together they've managed to record a very unique insight of wildlife in Wales, including some very rare sights.

A comprehensive website accompanies the series, while a supplementary documentary - Natur Cymru/Tu ôl i'r Camera - will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how it was all made.

The first programme concentrates on water and looks at wildlife in our lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries. Iolo visits rivers such as the Wye, the estuaries of Glaslyn and Conwy, Cors Caron wetland, waterfalls such as Rhiwagor near Lake Vyrnwy and man-made lakes such as Bosherston in South Pembrokeshire.

These places are home to birds, fish and all sorts of familiar creatures - as well as lesser known species. Among the highlights are the Underwater Lampreys in the Wye and a pair of great Crested Grebes mating.

"This is one area which was a real eye opener for me. Although I have dived a bit, much of the underwater wildlife is as new to me as it will be to many viewers. It's a habitat which is coming increasingly under threat from human development - and I hope that in the end, this series will demonstrate how important it is to protect the different habitats."

The series begins tonight on S4C, 9.00pm, and is available with English and Welsh subtitles.