Born to Be Wild, BBC4, Thursday, July 31, at 7.30

[Pete Eeles]

From Lester Cowling at BC:

Hi All

A television programme in the Born to Be Wild series is being screened by BBC 4 (digital only) on Thursday, July 31, at 7.30. Butterfly Conservation has been heavily involved in the programme which features several BC branch members. We’ve not been shown a preview – so I don’t quite know what to expect.

The BBC’s advance publicity states the programme is:

”A look at the amateur naturalists who immerse themselves in the strange and colourful world of butterflies and moths.

”One of the enthusiasts has walked hundreds of miles to count butterflies, another has devoted his time and his greenhouse to growing one rare butterfly. Yet another is fanatical about moths and has taught himself to identify all 2,500 British species. And one has been getting his hands dirty to restore a chalk down and its butterfly star to their former glory.

”This programme reveals the highs and lows of British butterflies and moths, and gives a window onto the lives of four of the passionate people that are fighting to save them.”

Happy viewing

Lester Cowling

Senior Publicity Officer

[Denise]

Thanks Pete,

I'll be watching!

Denise

[Shirley Roulston]

A programme as last about butterflies, I'll also be watching. Shirley

[Dave McCormick]

I'll be watching, should be good, something about butterflies finally!

[Roger Gibbons]

Interesting programme, presenting butterfly enthusiasts in quite a positive light, I thought.

Some great video footage, even if some of the specimens were slightly moth-eaten (sic) and one or two were slightly crippled. It showed the Adonis Blue with marginal spots, as I think someone commented here recently. Super bold markings on the fresh reared Heath Frits. The Gatekeeper seemed to have some extra ocelli that I have never seen, and I have feeling that one of the species shown in the opening was a Dryad but I only got a quick view. Maybe it will be on catch-up TV or similar and I can get another look.

All in all, great PR for butterflies and conservation. Nice to get something for licence fee!

[Pete Eeles]

Ok, I'm obviously biased, but I think this is one of the best productions on UK butterflies I've seen. Specifically, the interviewees were treated with respect, and not portayed as some odd-ball characters - which has come across in other BBC productions of late! I think some very important points came across and applaud all of the interviewees. I wish they'd made more of Butterfly Conservation, and what the viewers could do to help, but it's a start.

I only know Bill and Andy (the transect walker, and the Magdalen Hill Down conservationist), and both are "top blokes".

Makes you proud to be British.

Cheers,

- Pete

[m_galathea]

I enjoyed that a lot, and my folks found it informative too which was good! Well done to those involved.

Roger, I think you were right about the Dryad!

[Pete Eeles]

Too busy making a coffee, so I missed the start - but recorded it

Yes - the opening sequence does, indeed, show a Dryad (Minois dryas) taking off from a flowerhead. I reckon it was a male

Well done - you eagle-eyed spotters!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pete Eeles]

Roger is most definitely eagle-eyed!

The Gatekeeper show in the start sequence is, I believe, ab. multiocellata, as shown at:

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/research-cur ... xonID=8950

Cheers,

- Pete

[jellyang]

Wasn't that refreshing for a TV Programme!
As I have spent most of the last two weeks in bed watching TV , that was defintely the best thing I have watched. Although wouldn't you know that everyone decided to ring me to see how I was between 7.30 & 8pm, they were politely told to call back after 8!

Lets hope we get more of the same very soon

Angie

[Pete Eeles]

Hi Angie - glad to see you have your priorities in check

We wish you all the best.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Annie]

Very much enjoyed it - not condescending, and not seen through rose-tinted specs (ie, it rained. A lot.)

[Roger Gibbons]

Off topic, but the BBC used Sleepwalk by Santo & Johnny as background music, issued in 1959 which I guess is way before the time of most visitors to this site.

For anyone who wants to hear this fantastic track in full, here's the YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyM7SNn4 ... re=related

Sorry, Pete, will keep to the topic in future.

[Dave McCormick]

Great show, nice to see something like that for a change. I liked the heath fritillary, they were quite good. And I did notice the dryad at the start.

Liked the adonis blues and the moths shown. The guy at the end (forget name) who said he grew up on a farm in country, is basically same as how I stated. I grew up on a farm in country and noticed the species around me and started learing about them, then got a caera and started taking pics and here I am today, better for it.

[Lynn]

If anybody i sgoing "Oh no I missed it", the good news is it can be viewed on bbci player try http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00cskdd/
or if that does not work out Born to be wild in search on the BBC4 section.

It was great to see Andy Barker & Magdalen Hill Down and its Chalkhill Blues on TV. It was filmed in 2007. 2008's Chalkhills are flying now & looking good.