LIVING THE WILDLIFE

Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Millipede up close Image Name: Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Millipede up close
Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Close up fof Wood Lice Image Name: Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Close up fof Wood Lice
Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Centipede crawling over Colins Hand Image Name: Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Centipede crawling over Colins Hand
Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Queen ant ready for take off Image Name: Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Queen ant ready for take off
Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Ants crawling over nest Image Name: Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Ants crawling over nest
Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Close up of centipede on Colins hand Image Name: Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Close up of centipede on Colins hand
Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Centipede up close Image Name: Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Centipede up close
Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Ants and Aphid pool on branch Image Name: Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Ants and Aphid pool on branch
Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Prof John Breen and Colin by Ant nest 2 Image Name: Living the Wildlife S6 E6 Prof John Breen and Colin by Ant nest 2

Broadcast Details: Tuesday 22nd April, 7.00pm

In this programme, Colin explores the fascinating biodiversity of Tipperary woods where ruthless empire-building and fierce colonial war is a feature of daily life.

Series 6, Episode 6 WOOD ANTS AND MINI BEASTS

In this programme, Colin explores the fascinating biodiversity of Tipperary woods where ruthless empire-building and fierce colonial war is a feature of daily life.

With the expert guidance of Professor John Breen from the University of Limerick, Colin learns about a myriad of intrepid woodland creatures that predate, compete and battle to survive life on the forest floor: from woodlice and centipedes to earthworms, slugs, spiders and beetles.

What appears to be a heap of earth and sticks at the foot of an old tree trunk is actually a vibrant nest of over 100,000 wood ants, serving queen and colony in hundreds of ways: from garbage disposal, security and nursery duty to hunting bumblebees, wasps and ladybirds.

Switching to a specialized macro lens, Colin closes in to capture extraordinary footage of these industrious workers as they navigate their way across the forest floor using patterns of polarised light and shadows cast by neighbouring trees.

As Colin discovers, these hardy wood ants are no pushover and while he does get bitten, he is lucky not to have formic acid squirted in his face – a favourite weapon of these aggressive little creatures.

Having avoided one soaking, he stumbles right into another – showered with honey-dew shower while observing wood ants who are running a protection racket within the local aphid community.

Series Overview:  

Emmy Award winning cameraman Colin Stafford-Johnson returns to RTÉ for another exciting series of Living the Wildlife. Now in its sixth year, this season follows Colin as he travels to the four corners of Ireland, meeting a host of interesting characters and fascinating species from the largest gathering of basking sharks off Malin Head to a unique dragonfly pond in Wicklow.

Once again, the ground-breaking series showcases Ireland’s stunning landscape, as everyone’s favourite natural history guru takes viewers on an extraordinary wildlife journey.  Colin’s endless enthusiasm and energy is inspiring as he hunts for elusive otters and majestic great-crested grebes; discovers the minute differences between different species of dragonflies and bees and comes nose to nose with the largest fish in the Atlantic. As always, Colin captures a wealth of fascinating footage as he treks the fields, forests, coasts and mountainsides of Ireland.