Wild Britain With Ray Mears Season 1 Episode 3 Breckland

In season 1 episode 3 of Wild Britain with Ray Mears titled "Breckland," Ray explores a unique ecosystem located in the eastern region of England known for its heathland and sandy soils. Breckland is a landscape that has been shaped by humans for thousands of years and Ray uncovers the hidden secrets of this remarkable place.

Ray starts his journey in the ancient King's Forest, where he meets wildlife photographer, Nick Upton. Together, they search for the elusive nightjar, a bird that only comes out at night, and listen to its unique call. Ray also learns about the importance of the forest to the now rare and endangered stone curlew, which is a bird that relies on open, sandy heathland for its nesting sites.

Next, Ray heads into the open heathland areas of Breckland, where he meets with conservationists who are working to restore this unique habitat. They use ancient techniques to manage the land, like grazing ponies and controlled burning, to encourage the growth of heather and gorse. Ray joins them for a day of controlled burning, which helps to stop the growth of invasive scrub and encourages the return of key heathland plants.

In Breckland, Ray also learns about the human history of the area. He visits the ruins of the once-great Anglo Saxon monastery at Thetford. The monastery was founded in the 7th century, and by the 11th century, it was one of the wealthiest and most powerful religious communities in all of England. Ray explores the ruins with archaeologist, Matthew Champion, learning about the people who lived and worked here, and the role that the monastery played in shaping the local landscape.

Finally, Ray spends time with the gypsies, who have been living in Breckland's heathland for generations. They tell Ray about their way of life, which has changed very little since their ancestors first arrived here hundreds of years ago. Ray also learns about the history of the Romany people in Britain, their traditions and beliefs, and how they have adapted to living off the land in Breckland.

Throughout the episode, Ray Mears shares his passion for the natural world and the importance of preserving unique and fragile ecosystems like Breckland. His enthusiasm is infectious, and viewers will find themselves learning about this remarkable landscape in new and exciting ways. Whether it's spotting nocturnal birds, helping with controlled burning, or learning about ancient religious communities, viewers will come away inspired to explore their own local environments and appreciate the natural world around them.