The Best Episodes of Countryfile Season 38

John Craven visits Farmoor Reservoir in Oxfordshire, where many bird species find sanctuary in the cold winter months. John joins up with a local bird spotter to hear about the vast array of species that call this place home during winter. He also meets a biologist who has created a series of ponds on the reserve, which are some of the most monitored in Europe. John discovers these wetland habitats are important for all sorts of life in winter - above and below the surface. As the sun sets, John witnesses the spectacle of birds coming into roost and learns the importance of one of the UK’s least revered bird species – gulls. Throughout, we open the Countryfile archives to revisit winter wildlife stories from around the UK.

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Sammi Kinghorn and Matt Baker are exploring the waterways of the Shropshire Hills, where the critically endangered Atlantic salmon makes its ancient journey upstream to its spawning grounds. Sammi and Matt meet the people of Shropshire, from ecologists reshaping rivers to farmers maintaining clean waterways, as well as an artist crafting steel fish. Together, they work to raise awareness about the importance of preserving these rivers for the salmon and the many species that depend on them. Meanwhile, in the Cotswolds, Adam reflects on a challenging year on his farm and plans for the year ahead.

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Countryfile is in Dartmoor, famous for its rugged landscape, vast moorland and ponies. Anita Rani assists a team from the Devon Wildlife Trust, armed with radio scanners and trail cameras, as they try to locate one of the 15 pine martens released into the wilds of Dartmoor earlier in the year, part of an exciting attempt to re-establish this native creature back into these woodlands. Joe Crowley visits Fingle Woods to explore a large-scale restoration project, joining the foresters to remove conifers and bring back native trees and wildlife. A few miles away, Joe puts the milled wood to use, constructing one of a series of blocks forming part of a vital peatland restoration project. In the Cotswolds, Adam is shepherding with his dog Gwen and looks back at the time he visited the International Supreme Championship to see how the best handlers from the British Isles use whistles to command their dogs.

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Adam Henson and Sean Fletcher explore the rich landscapes of the New Forest, where the animals that roam the heath and woodlands play an essential role in shaping the landscape. Adam joins the head agister on his rounds, overseeing the commoners' livestock, and meets the people who have the right to graze their animals in this ancient landscape. Sean helps to restore Europe's largest remaining area of lowland heath and visits a community woodland where Shire horses are helping with coppicing. He also goes in search of the elusive hawfinch and meets a woman building a successful soap-making business from goat's milk. Beyond the New Forest, Adam travels to Shropshire to meet a young pig farmer who is passionate about both agriculture and preserving the countryside.

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Matt Baker and Charlotte Smith head to Welney Wetland Centre in Norfolk for World Wetlands Day, uncovering the vital role these habitats play in supporting a host of bird species, including the whooper swan and black-tailed godwit. Along the way, they meet the dedicated individuals working tirelessly to safeguard these precious environments. Matt is captivated by a breathtaking display by whooper swans while assisting with crucial winter counts, and Charlotte joins volunteers building a new hide, offering visitors a closer look at the magical wildlife that calls this stunning location home. Meanwhile, Joe Crowley investigates concerns over new border checks and the impact they could have on farmers and our food.

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Tucked away in the south east corner of Northern Ireland are the Mournes – a mountain range which stretches all the way down to the coast. Matt Baker and Charlotte Smith uncover the threats the area faces, from raging wildfires to destructive storms, and they meet the people who are protecting the mountain range, from the summits to the sea. Matt helps rebuild essential pathways up the mountain, joins rangers installing dams to restore peat bogs, and meets the people bringing barn owls back to the area. Charlotte restores a precious patch of ancient woodland and helps to stabilise a fragile dune system. In the Cotswolds, Adam Henson scans his ewes ahead of lambing season.

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2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the reintroduction of white-tailed eagles to the UK, following their release in Scotland. Hamza Yassin takes us on a sea eagle safari across the Sound of Mull to Tobermory, checking in on the thriving population of these majestic birds. He also recounts his involvement in the daring rescue of one of Mull’s famous sea eagles. Charlotte Smith visits the banks of Loch Sunart to meet the passionate team working to protect an ancient Atlantic rainforest, a haven for native plants and wildlife. Meanwhile, Tom Heap reflects on two decades since the fox-hunting ban was enacted, investigating the ongoing battle against illegal hunting in today’s landscape.

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Adam Henson and Charlotte Smith are at the Stirling Bull Sales, one of the most prestigious events in the farming calendar. Over two action-packed days, approximately 300 pedigree bulls are showcased and sold, attracting thousands of buyers, sellers and enthusiasts, eager to see and bid on the country's finest livestock. Adam teams up with local farmer Graeme Fraser as he prepares his prized Aberdeen Angus bulls for the sale, following their journey throughout the event. But will they attract the high bids Graeme is hoping for? Meanwhile, Charlotte immerses herself in the buying process as she discovers how bidders catch the auctioneer’s eye and secure a top-quality bull for their herds. We also meet the woman behind the lens, capturing the stunning images of these prize bulls, and take a closer look at the dedicated caterers, vets and auctioneers who keep the event running smoothly.

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