WoodlandsTV

Water Voles’ biggest threat – Mink

2025-10-24T13:31:07Z

In this film by outdoors filmmaker Olivia Wines, we follow on from our discussion in Water Voles (Part 1) to learn more about the treats facing water voles and how to combat them. Previously, Darren Tansley took us through how to find and monitor them, whilst giving us an insight into why recording their data and whereabouts are important.

Today, we look at Water Voles' biggest threat - Mink. As a non-native species, mink have been known to eradicate the water vole population by a drastic figure. In this film Darren Tansley and Louise Dennis take us though how to safely and humanely capture mink for the betterment of the UK ecosystem. They will take us through why this is necessary, and our only effective course of action to restore the UK's natural wildlife, to help restore our woodlands and wetlands.

Feeling inspired and motivated by Stewart to consider buying your own woodland? If so, https://www.woodlands.co.uk/ has some wonderful woodlands for sale throughout the UK

Many thanks to Russell Savory for our water voles footage

Watch on WoodlandsTV

Water Voles with Darren Tansley

2025-10-17T13:01:37Z

In this film by outdoors filmmaker Olivia Wines, we meet Darren Tansley from the Wildlife Trust. Darren is in charge or helping restore and protect the waterways in Essex, and most notably the population of the native Water Voles. Water Voles have encountered a huge population decrease due to shrinking water ways, land development, and most importantly- it's predator Mink.

Darren takes us through the many ways we can help preserve this key stone species, such as going out into the reeds and monitoring the habits of water voles. By giving us tips on how we can spot and find them, we can tell whether they are popular in the area, and therefore whether our restoration efforts are working. By recording this data, it makes valuable evidence to secure funding bids to promote the issue that Water Voles are slowly decimating, and need our help!

Feeling inspired and motivated by Stewart to consider buying your own woodland? If so, https://www.woodlands.co.uk has some wonderful woodlands for sale throughout the UK

Many thanks to Russell Savory for our water voles footage

Watch on WoodlandsTV

Himalayan Balsam with Dr Zarah Pattison

2025-10-10T13:30:11Z

In this film by rewilding filmmaker Jack D'Gama, we meet Dr Zarah Pattison who introduces us to the invasive plant Himalayan Balsam. She explains its origins, the translocations that brought it to our shores, the threats it poses to our native flora, and the different methods now employed to try and remove it.

Watch on WoodlandsTV

Ancient Woodland Fragments with Connor McKinnie

2025-10-03T13:30:50Z

In this film by rewilding filmmaker Jack D'Gama, ecologist Connor McKinnie shines a light on Britain's degraded ecosystems, and the remaining ancient woodland fragments barely clinging on. Connor explains that despite the rarity of these ancient habitats, they sadly need protecting now more than ever

Connor McKinnie's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@THE_ECONNORGIST

Watch on WoodlandsTV

Woodland Management for Moths

2025-09-29T13:30:12Z

In this film by wildlife film maker Tom Hartwell, we return to lepidopterist Dave Shenton. Dave is the county moth recorder for Kent.

Today Dave provides his expert advice on what we can do to manage our woodlands in a way that provides the perfect habitat for moths. He explains the importance of native plant diversity, habitat diversity, and structural diversity. Moths use all areas of a woodland, from the high canopy layer to the ground floor and leaf litter layer. Dave suggests woodland management techniques such as rotational coppicing, widening woodland rides for more light, mosaic habitats, and ensuring landscape connectivity between fragments. He recommends the retention of deadwood and leaf litter, as well as the need to consider timing of woodland management practices to avoid damaging moth species.

Watch on WoodlandsTV

Poisonous woodland and riverbank plants

2025-09-22T13:30:07Z

In this film by Nicola Kelleher, we continue our mini-theme on poisonous plants.

Darren Tansley from the Essex Wildlife Trust talks about some common woodland and riverbank plants that are dangerous to human health. We hear about plants such as giant hogweed, Lily of the Valley, bluebells, foxgloves and deadly nightshade.

To learn more about the work of the Essex Wildlife Trust please see:
Website: https://www.essexwt.org.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essexwildlifetrust
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essexwildlifetrust
X: https://twitter.com/EssexWildlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/essexwildlife

Watch on WoodlandsTV

How to identify poisonous hemlock- hemlock water dropwort and poison hemlock

2025-09-15T13:30:11Z

In this film by accomplished film maker Henry Kirkwood, we return to Steve England from Outdoor Learning to hear about poisonous hemlock species and the importance of being able to correctly identify plants when out foraging.

The umbellifer family of plants have a group or cluster of flowers that are arranged in a shape that resembles an umbrella. While some within this family of plants are edible, others are toxic and life-threatening if consumed. Steve talks about how to identify two particular deadly poisonous species: hemlock water dropwort and poison hemlock.

Steve runs wildlife, foraging & outdoor education courses in Bristol. For more information on Steve's courses please see:
Website: https://steveengland.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveenglanduk
YouTube: @steveenglandoutdoorlearnin6439

Watch on WoodlandsTV

Mosaic Pattern Tree Planting for a Naturalistic Woodland

2025-09-08T13:30:58Z

In this film by Kate Vickers, we revisit Moor Trees for a second time to see them planting the young trees they've grown in their nursery. Woodland Creation Officer Jack Hunt explains how they are creating a naturalistic style woodland by planting a mix of local native trees in a mosaic pattern. This is a mix of both canopy and shrub level species. He also talks about the importance and benefit of involving the local community in creating the new woodlands.

In the first film with Moor Trees we learnt about the process they go through in gathering, processing and storing native tree seeds, planting native tree seeds, through to growing on the young saplings. Please see https://youtu.be/Q7Yl8ztzJTg.

For more information on Moor Trees, their volunteering opportunities, and their mission to restore native broadleaf woodland please see:
website: https://moortrees.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moortrees.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moortrees/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@moortrees

Watch on WoodlandsTV

The Oak Processionary Moth (OPM)

2025-09-01T13:30:18Z

In this film by wildlife film maker Tom Hartwell, we return to lepidopterist Dave Shenton. Dave is the county moth recorder for Kent.

Today he tells us about the Oak Processionary Moth (OPM). Dave explains what the risk is from this species, whether landowners should be concerned, how to recognise it (and distinguish it from our native moth species), how to deal with it in a sensible way and where to get specialist advice. He advocates for a measured and responsible approach to dealing with the OPM.

The OPM is a 'notifiable species' so if you do identify it in your woodland then please use this website: https://treealert.forestresearch.gov.uk/reports/oak-processionary-moth.

Watch on WoodlandsTV

Beavers: how they benefit the UK countryside

2025-08-25T13:30:13Z

In this film by award-winning film maker Henry Kirkwood, we meet nature enthusiast and lone-kayaker Rupert Kirkwood to hear why we should welcome beavers' return to the UK and what we can do to assist them.

As a keystone species, beavers play a disproportionately large role in maintaining the structure and function of an ecosystem. Rupert talks about the reasons for their historical decline, how to spot signs that a beaver might be present, their mannerisms, and how their dam-building activity creates the perfect environment for a huge number of different animals.

To learn more about Rupert's adventures in nature please see:
website: https://thelonekayaker.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelonekayaker/?hl=en