Chris and Meg’s Wild Summer Episode 1 – During the prolonged period of lockdown, Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin had plenty of time to reflect on their shared love for nature. Having navigated the challenges and solitude of confinement, the pair have emerged with a renewed zeal to explore the picturesque landscapes of Britain and to fully immerse themselves in the captivating wonders of the natural world. Since the tender age of two, when Megan officially became Chris’s stepdaughter, the duo found themselves deeply connected through a shared passion for wildlife and the mysteries of nature.
Eager to reconnect with the wild, they embark on a memorable adventure in an environmentally friendly electric campervan. Their goal? To engage in awe-inspiring animal encounters and traverse the pristine, untouched wildernesses that stretch across Wales, the rugged landscapes of northern England, and the mysterious terrains of Scotland.
Their riveting expedition commences in the enchanting lands of Pembrokeshire. From there, they eagerly set sail to the mesmerizing Skokholm island, fueled by a playful competition: to capture the ultimate photograph of the vivacious puffin. Amidst the harmonious hum of birdcalls, they spend a magical afternoon observing the colourful puffins in their natural habitat, gracefully darting to and from their burrows with beaks laden with shimmering sand eels. The entire scene unfolds like a puffin’s utopia.
Their journey then takes a northerly direction, leading them to the serene River Teifi. As dawn’s first light paints the sky, they embark on a peaceful canoeing adventure, eyes peeled for the mysterious and elusive otter. The water’s edge of Cardigan Bay becomes their next stop, where Chris and Megan eagerly join a dedicated research team on a boat. Their patience is soon rewarded with a breathtaking spectacle of local bottlenose dolphins, joyfully breaching and performing aerial displays, leaping with sheer grace out of the crystalline waters.
The duo’s expedition reaches an emotional climax at the cliffs of Llangrannog. Chris vividly recalls a summer 15 years ago when, as a young enthusiast, he camped out for an entire season to shield peregrine falcons from the malicious intent of egg collectors. Night after night, he stood as a guardian to ensure the falcon nest remained undisturbed. As they stand atop those cliffs, the pair take a moment to reminisce about their past wildlife experiences, contemplating the heartening resurgence of some species and the melancholic decline of others.
But this voyage isn’t just about the exploration of Britain’s diverse ecosystems. As the landscapes change around them, Chris and Megan delve deep into the intricacies of their father-daughter bond. Like any family, they have their moments of light-hearted bickering, share inside jokes, and indulge in sentimental moments. Throughout it all, their friendly rivalry continues, as they attempt to impress each other with their vast and detailed knowledge of the natural world. This journey, in essence, is a celebration of nature, relationships, and the timeless bond they share.
Chris and Meg’s Wild Summer Episode 1 – South West Wales
After living through lockdown together, Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin are keen to get out and explore Britain’s beautiful countryside, and immerse themselves in the natural world. Since Megan became Chris’s stepdaughter at the age of two, they have shared a passion for wildlife, so they set off in an electric campervan to seek out incredible animal encounters and travel through some of the last untouched wildernesses of Wales, northern England and Scotland.
Their journey starts in Pembrokeshire, where the duo set sail for Skokholm island in pursuit of the perfect puffin picture. With a challenge to see if Chris or Megan can take the best photo of these colourful seabirds, they spend an idyllic afternoon surrounded by puffins flying to and from their burrows with beakfuls of sand eels – a true puffin paradise.
Puffin Paradise on Skokholm Island
Skokholm Island is a small island off the coast of Pembrokeshire that is home to over 10,000 breeding pairs of Atlantic puffins between April and July each year. This makes it one of the major puffin colonies in Britain. When Chris and Megan visit during the summer breeding season, they are treated to an incredible sight – thousands of these clown-faced seabirds with their bright orange beaks and feet constantly coming and going from their underground burrows with beaks full of small fish to feed their puffling chicks.
The puffins on Skokholm initially dig their burrows on the steep grassy slopes above the cliffs. Their homes can be up to 3 metres deep, with a nesting chamber lined with feathers and grass where a single white egg is laid. While one parent incubates the egg, the other heads out to sea on fishing trips up to 60 miles away, returning with a bellyful of small fish like sand eels, sprats and herring.
When the grey fluffy chick hatches after about 40 days, both parents take turns heading out to sea to gather these nutrient-rich fish, carrying them back crosswise in their beaks. The pufflings grow quickly on this diet of protein-packed seafood, and after about 6 weeks they are ready to take their first flight out to sea.
Chris and Megan are able to get up close views of puffins collecting fish, feeding chicks, preening their feathers, and landing awkwardly on the steep cliffs. The puffins don’t seem bothered by human presence, allowing close-up photos and video. In the end, Megan wins the photo competition with a shot of a puffin taking off over the ocean, caught in mid-air with wings spread and feet trailing behind.
Tranquil Teifi: Otter Spotting on the River
Next, Chris and Megan head north to the River Teifi, one of the largest rivers in West Wales. Winding through scenic countryside, the Teifi is considered one of the best places to see wildlife like otters, kingfishers, dippers, and grey wagtails. The pair arrive at dawn, eager to spot signs of these secretive semi-aquatic mammals before other boat traffic scares them away.
As they paddle downstream, they keep eyes peeled for the sleek, torpedo-shaped outline of an otter hunting along the riverbanks. Otters are naturally shy creatures, so catching more than a fleeting glimpse takes patience. Their dense waterproof fur and webbed feet make them strong swimmers, allowing them to dive for freshwater fish and crayfish. Otters are most active at dawn and dusk, so early morning is prime time.
After almost an hour, Megan spots a mother otter emerging from the reeds with two playful cubs in tow. The young otters seem blissfully unaware of the canoeists watching as they tumble and wrestle with each other on the shore. Meanwhile, their mother keeps a watchful eye out for predators. Chris and Megan feel privileged to witness this heartwarming scene of otter family life unfolding.
With daylight creeping across the valley, the otters eventually slip silently back into the river. Chris and Megan paddle on, smiling at their luck and each other. The otter encounter epitomizes the unexpected delights nature has to offer when you take the time to appreciate it.
Cardigan Bay Dolphins Put on an Acrobatic Display
Further north lies Cardigan Bay, where Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are a common sight from April to October. This population of around 150 dolphins frequently approaches boats, providing close views. To encounter these charismatic creatures, Chris and Megan join a wildlife tour boat heading out into deeper waters.
At first glance the bay looks empty, but then a dark fin breaks the surface. More glossy grey backs arcing through the swell follow. The dolphins begin surfing the pressure waves at the bow, crisscrossing back and forth. Their powerful tails propel streamlined bodies up to 10 feet long and over 400 pounds clear out of the water in graceful leaps.
Bottlenose dolphins are highly social and intelligent, communicating with a range of whistles and clicks. Studies show each dolphin has a unique signature whistle to identify itself, while bursts of clicks from their foreheads help them echolocate and hunt fish. The Cardigan Bay dolphins cooperatively herd shoals of fish like mackerel into bait balls, making for an easy feast.
The acrobatic dolphins continue bow riding, spy hopping and breaching all around the boat much to Chris and Megan’s delight. Seeing these breath-taking wild creatures interacting and thriving in their ocean home gives hope that with conservation efforts like protecting critical habitats, magnificent marine mammals can continue gracing Welsh waters for generations to come.
Peregrine Falcons: From Endangered to Saved
For their last wildlife encounter, Chris and Megan head to the cliffs near Llangrannog where Chris camped out as a teenager trying to protect endangered peregrines. Once referred to as the phantom of the sky, peregrines were driven to near extinction by pesticides and egg collectors. By the 1960s, there were no known breeding pairs left in Wales or England.
But with legal protection and reintroduction programs, these incredible raptors made an amazing recovery. Their phenomenal diving speeds of over 200 mph make them lethal hunters, capable of snatching other birds mid-air. Walking along the coastal path, Chris and Megan keep scanning the skies for a glimpse of the falcons’ slate-blue wings or white undersides.
Eventually a peregrine comes into view, circling high on an uplift. Suddenly it folds its wings back and plummets earthward. Extending deadly talons, it smashes into an unlucky pigeon at full speed in a puff of feathers. Megan manages to capture the split-second strike on camera as the peregrine carries its prey away.
Chris reflects on how spending that formative summer guarding the nest kickstarted his lifelong passion for conservation. Thanks to dedicated grassroots efforts and legal protections, many species like peregrines have made inspiring comebacks from the brink of extinction. But there is still work to be done to protect habitats and reverse declines. Megan is proud to be carrying on Chris’ legacy educating the public to safeguard wildlife for the future.
Conclusion
Chris and Megan’s wildlife-filled journey through the unspoiled wilderness of southwest Wales provides an uplifting look at nature’s resilience. Getting to witness puffins thriving on Skokholm, elusive otters at play, acrobatic dolphins off the coast, and magnificent peregrines returned from the brink reminds us of the wonder wildlife can evoke. But it also emphasizes that protecting habitats and species requires continued effort.
Through interacting with incredible creatures in their natural settings, Chris and Megan’s adventure together strengthens their shared passion for the natural world. It also deepens their father-daughter bond, as Megan sees firsthand the positive impact Chris’ tireless efforts to save endangered species has had. Their voyage through Wales’ wild beauty offers inspiration and hope that with enough care for the planet, humans can coexist in harmony with even rare or threatened wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Skokholm Island such an important home for puffins?
Skokholm Island off the Pembrokeshire coast has ideal grassy clifftops for Atlantic puffins to dig their burrows and raise chicks safely during breeding season from April to July. With over 10,000 breeding pairs, Skokholm has one of the major puffin colonies in Britain.
Why is the River Teifi considered a top place to spot otters in Wales?
The River Teifi provides ideal otter habitat with secluded riverbanks lined with reeds for holts, as well as clear waters teeming with fish, crayfish and frogs for them to hunt. The best time to spot otters is around dawn or dusk when these shy creatures are most active.
How can you identify bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay?
Bottlenose dolphins have dark grey backs and lighter grey sides with long beaks. They grow up to 10 feet long and frequently approach boats, providing great views of them breaching, surfing waves, and spyhopping. Their loud squeaks and whistles are used for communication.
Why were peregrine falcons almost wiped out in the 1960s?
The use of DDT and other pesticides built up in the peregrine food chain, causing their eggshells to be too thin and break during incubation. Illegal collecting of eggs also severely impacted breeding success. By the 1960s, there were no known breeding pairs in England or Wales.
How did Chris Packham’s efforts as a teenager help save peregrines?
In the 1970s, Chris camped out by peregrine nests to protect them from egg collectors. This helped some chicks successfully fledge. With legal protection and captive breeding/reintroduction programs, peregrine numbers rebounded from near extinction.
