Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

Red Squirrels were once a common sight in woodlands around the Uk but now, they’re one of our rarest Mammals. 
In this episode of Wild Tales, we head to Plas Newydd on the island of Ynys Môn in Wales, where a remarkable effort to bring them back is underway.


For the Welsh transcript of this episode please click here.
 
Red squirrel, Anglesey, Wales 
©National Trust Images/Rob Coleman
Production
Narration: Rosie Holdsworth
Producer: Nikki Ruck and Marnie Woodmeade
Sound Recordist: Marnie Woodmeade
Sound Design: Jesus Gomez
 
With thanks to Carol Thomas at Plas Newydd 
Find out more 

Visit the red squirrels at Plas Newydd:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/plas-newydd-house-and-garden/red-squirrels-at-plas-newydd

Learn more about Red Squirrel Conservation
The Red Squirrels Trust Wales is working to protect red squirrel populations on Ynys Môn and across North Wales. If you would like to read more about some of the points raised in this episode, look here.
https://www.redsquirrels.info/about/faq/


See red squirrels on Brownsea Island (Dorset):
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island/the-rare-red-squirrel-on-brownsea-island

Listen to our episode on pine martens (Wallington, Northumberland):
https://ntpodcasts.org/WT25

Follow us on Instagram @wildtalesnt

If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at [email protected]

White-clawed crayfish were once common in Britain’s waterways. But thanks to a restaurant craze in the 1970’s, that brought the American signal crayfish to our shores, our only native freshwater crayfish is under threat from this invasive species. 

White-clawed crayfish are eco system engineers keeping rivers and streams clean and they also have amazing limb re growing superpowers. But they’re being outcompeted for food and habitat by the American signal crayfish and succumbing to a killer plague being spread by them. But, with a little help from Ranger Nick Allen and the team at Wallington estate in Northumberland, habitats are being created where white-clawed crayfish can thrive.
Join Rosie and follow the story and the lives of the plucky little characters fighting for survival in England’s Northeast.
Production:
Host: Rosie Holdsworth
Producers: Michelle Douglass and Katy Kelly
Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez
Contributor: Nick Allen  
Discover more:
Find out more about Wallington and their work with the white-clawed crayfish:
Saving the native white-clawed crayfish | National Trust 
Follow us @ wildtales Instagram account

If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or a story idea, you can contact us at [email protected]

Ever hunted for fossils on a beach and felt like you might actually find something? 

Rosie heads to the Isle of Wight to the scene of the most complete dinosaur discovery in the UK in a hundred years. 

She’s joined by Dr Jeremy Lockwood, part of the original dig team and now casually known as a “namer of dinosaurs,” as they retrace how this once‑buried giant came back into the light. 
Production: 
Host: Rosie Holdsworth 
Producer: Claire Hickinbotham 
Sound Recordist: Nikki Ruck 
Sound Designer: Jesus Gomez 

With thanks to Dr Jeremy Lockwood  

Rosie and Jeremy went for the dinosaur walk at Compton Bay and Downs | Isle of Wight | National Trust  
They parked at Compton car parking information | National Trust  
You can see Comptonatus Chasei at the Dinosaur Isle Museum on the Isle of Wight. 
Welcome to Dinosaur Isle - Dinosaur Isle Museum 

If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at [email protected]

As winter turns to spring , toads, frogs and newts across Britain begin their annual journey, making their way back to the ponds where they breed.
For many, that journey means crossing busy roads and not all of them make it to the other side.
In this episode of Wild Tales, we spend the night with the Charlcombe Lane Toad Patrol, discovering the dedication and determination it takes to give these remarkable animals a fighting chance.
 
 [Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to adventure. Quick breathers, calming walks or heart-pounding hikes. We feel better when we get out more.   Find quality kit and 50 years of outdoor wisdom. Plus, supporters save 15% in-store and online. Feel in your element, in the elements, at Cotswold Outdoor.  https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/  
Production: 
Narrator: Rosie Holdsworth 
Producer and sound designer: Nikki Ruck 
photo courtesy :  Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group 
 
With thanks to Mike Collins, Sheila Gundry, Lance, Lucy and Angela from the Charlcombe Lane Toad Group
 
Discover more:
https://www.froglife.org/what-we-do/toads-on-roads/how-to-become-a-toad-patroller/

The Bewick’s or ‘Tundra’ swan has eluded ranger Ajay Tegala for years. 

It's hardly surprising: the swan’s epic migration is under pressure, and their numbers are dwindling. Can Ajay find them at their winter retreat of WWT Welney? 
Ajay speaks to fellow swan lover, artist and zoologist Dafila Scott and site manager Lizzie Bruce to aid his search for these hardworking swans. 
[Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to adventure. Quick breathers, calming walks or heart-pounding hikes. We feel better when we get out more.   Find quality kit and 50 years of outdoor wisdom. Plus, supporters save 15% in-store and online. Feel in your element, in the elements, at Cotswold Outdoor.  https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/  
Production:  Host and Co-producer: Ajay Tegala
Producer: Marnie Woodmeade
Sound Designer: Jesus Gomez
Music: Swan Song by Charlotte Eve
 
With thanks to: Dafila Scott, Lizzie Bruce and the staff and volunteers at WWT Welney 
Discover more:
Visit WWT Welney: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/welney 
Visit Wicken Fen: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cambridgeshire/wicken-fen-national-nature-reserve 
Learn more about wetland swans: https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/wetland-wildlife/meet-the-family/swans-found-in-uk-wetlands