Wild Britain with Ray Mears — Season 2

Aired 14 October 2011 • 30 min

The survival expert sets out again to explore some of Britain's finest habitats and most spectacular wildlife, beginning in Scotland's Caledonian pine forests, home to rare species including the capercaillie. Ray camps out in the hope of catching the turkey-sized grouse's courtship display, and also goes in search of the red squirrel.

Aired 21 October 2011 • 30 min

The survival expert explores Skomer Island, a seabird haven off the Pembrokeshire coast, and watches members of its puffin population returning from the sea with sand eels to feed their young. He also has a close encounter with the Skomer vole, which is not found anywhere else.

Aired 28 October 2011 • 30 min

Ray Mears reveals that he spent much of his childhood searching the South Downs for the Adonis Blue butterfly. Back then, they were a rare sight but now, thanks to conservation work, they are easily spotted and Ray gets to marvel at one perched on his finger. Ray's looking at chalk habitats and explains that chalk is made from creatures that lived in the sea millions of years ago. He's on the South Coast and journeys Westwards and, on his way, he spies peregrine falcons, kittiwakes, a wealth of wild flowers and, of course, the Adonis Blue.

Aired 4 November 2011 • 30 min

The survival expert heads to Norfolk to explore the county's lowland rivers, which are a haven for wild plants and creatures including kingfishers and crayfish. Ray also goes in search of water voles, whose population is in sharp decline.

Aired 11 November 2011 • 30 min

Ray heads to North Uist in the Outer Hebrides and explores Loch Maddy - home to red deer, otters, common seals, red-throated divers and sea eagles. He also does some scuba diving.

Aired 18 November 2011 • 30 min

Ray travels to the New Forest in Hampshire where he takes a look around the ancient woodland to discover fallow deer and New Forest ponies. He also finds ancient dead and decaying trees that provide a haven for beetles, bats and hornets.

Aired 25 November 2011 • 30 min

Ray travels to the most northern landscape of the British mainland which is peat bogs of Caithness and Sutherland. The area covers 1,500 square miles and is one of the largest stretches of unspoiled Blanket Bog in Europe. He takes a look around the region and uncovers rare specialised plants, and birds such as the Black-throated diver and the Hen-harrier.

Aired 2 December 2011 • 30 min

Ray makes his way to East Anglia to find out more about one of the wildest and wettest parts of the country.

Aired 9 December 2011 • 30 min

Ray Mears travels to the Highlands of Scotland where he takes a look around the dramatic peaks and heather-covered moors which feature a mix of mammals and birds that have adapted to an ecology unique to the region.

Aired 16 December 2011 • 30 min

Ray takes a look back at some of the best moments from the series.