Springwatch with simon king

[gary gas]

Last nights program was suberb and the joy simon king gets from wildlife was clear for everyone to see.Great program and if anyone didnt see it they should on iplayer

[mh68]

I was left with rather mixed feelings after watching it. The footage was top-notch as expected,and Simon`s enthusiasm for what he does shines through. I was left feeling though, that, in parts, it didnt give a realistic view of wildlife watching as most of us know it, mainly the Roe deer and Otter segments. I was sat shaking my head when watching the Roe deer wandering round the graveyard, totally unpertubed by Simon`s presence, when I thought about how much effort i`ve put in, in the last 3 years to get close enough to these animals to photograph them in more everyday situations.To get within 50yds of these shy creatures in normal situations is a result.Similar thing with the Otters, which are even harder to observe.
Now, it goes without saying that the locations for such programmes must be chosen carefully to get good footage,but I dont think it would do any harm to intersperse footage like that shown last night, with more realistic encounters, as opposed to segments with animals wandering carefree within spitting distance of the presenter all the time.
Not everyone has access to locations which offer such close views and I can see some people becoming disillusioned when they try to watch wildlife themselves and realise it isnt as easy as these programs make out.
I watched Johnny Kingdom`s programs for the first time a while back, and while he may not be everyone`s cup of tea, I could certainly relate more to his wildlife encounters, which were far more realistic and what most of us experience when out in the field - distant views, nervous animals which were hard to approach etc.

Mark H

[jennyb]

It was a superb programme but I agree with you Mark that it was a bit unrealistic. I have also been trying very hard to get deer and Badger photos and they are very nervous indeed.

However, anything that can show the general population how amazing our wildlife really is and try to get them interested has to be a good thing.

I also gave me lots of food for thought about being a bit more patient in my quest. I have found a Badger sett and now I just need to find a bit of time to sit and wait, rather that waiting for them to come to me!

Jenny

[mh68]

Yep Jenny, agree, and maybe my post appeared a little too negative, which wasnt the intention. It wouldnt have done any harm though, after the Roe deer segment,for example, for Simon to turn round and say "this is what Roe encounters are normally like" and show a clip of how they usually react in normal circumstances. That way it would give a more balanced and realistic view.
I know all too well the efforts youve gone to, to get Deer shots, as we`ve discussed it a few times now. Last time I was out after Deer pics, i chipped my kneecap crawling over stony ground, and never even got a pic

Good luck with the Badgers

Mark H

[Runningfox]

Having spent quite a lot of time in Scotland I'll agree that, on the whole, deer are very, very nervous creatures - though some of the farmed animals are less wary. However on one occasion, while walking through the Rothiemurchus forest, a pair of Roe deer strolled nonchalently by no more than twenty yards away. They stopped momentarily to eye me over then strolled away into the trees, never even breaking into a trot. Maybe they'd grown accustomed to harmless walkers - as Simon's deer were no longer afraid of mourners in the churchyard.
However, I wish I could get as close to Otters as he did in the film last night!
Cheers!

[mh68]

Originally Posted by Runningfox

Having spent quite a lot of time in Scotland I'll agree that, on the whole, deer are very, very nervous creatures - though some of the farmed animals are less wary. However on one occasion, while walking through the Rothiemurchus forest, a pair of Roe deer strolled nonchalently by no more than twenty yards away. They stopped momentarily to eye me over then strolled away into the trees, never even breaking into a trot. Maybe they'd grown accustomed to harmless walkers - as Simon's deer were no longer afraid of mourners in the churchyard.
However, I wish I could get as close to Otters as he did in the film last night!
Cheers!

Welcome to the forum Runningfox

Yes, to get such close sightings of an Otter would be a dream come true. I think those Deer last night were the exception to the rule - I visit a reserve where the Deer are fully protected, poaching has been all but stamped out, and the Roe in there should, by now, not associate people with danger, but theyre still extremely skittish and very hard to approach closely.Same with the Red Squirrels there, they wont even come down to the feeders if they know someones in the hide watching them. Go figure...
One thing that really impressed me about last night`s programme though, was Simon`s skill at mimicking various animal calls...great stuff!!

Mark H

[Runningfox]

Originally Posted by mh68

Welcome to the forum Runningfox Yes, to get such close sightings of an Otter would be a dream come true. I think those Deer last night were the exception to the rule - I visit a reserve where the Deer are fully protected, poaching has been all but stamped out, and the Roe in there should, by now, not associate people with danger, but theyre still extremely skittish and very hard to approach closely.Same with the Red Squirrels there, they wont even come down to the feeders if they know someones in the hide watching them. Go figure...One thing that really impressed me about last night`s programme though, was Simon`s skill at mimicking various animal calls...great stuff!! Mark H

Thanks for the welcome Mark. All I usually get is fleeting glances of Otters which is always a thrill. But I once watched a rather tame one swimming around by the pier while we were waiting for the Islay boat at Kennacraig. I'll be watching out for them again on a planned visit to Coll and Tiree later this summer.

I'm envious of people like Simon who can attract animals by mimicking their calls. I recall not long ago someone who could perfectly imitate the various calls of a curlew (one of my favourite birds). Another could attract hares by simply sucking the back of his hand. I've tried - and failed.

Cheers!

[mh68]

I`ve had some success imitating a distressed Rabbit - attracting Stoats, Weasels, Foxes, and Rabbits themselves, but thats as far as my skill goes
I`ve seen Otters at very close quarters myself, but they were part of a reintroduction programme in SW Scotland, so could be classed as semi-tame.Never been as close since...and probably never will be again.

Mark H

[deer boy]

That was the best springwatch so far this year,ok i agree with what others say about it been a little unrealistic but it showed the wildlife spectacles Britain has to offer.
A lot of it i'd seen before when he first filmed it but boy do we have some of the best wildlife spectacles in the world.
The deer rut was awesome,again it's easy to film the rut on Rum but they have to get the footage & Rum guarantees the best footage there going to get.
I loved the barn owl footage,his mimicking was very impressive & the peregrine footage he shot was amazing