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Simon shares some of his favourite - and most remarkable - close encounters with wild creatures from a lifelong passion for UK wildlife. By revealing some of his often surprising techniques, Simon encourages us to have a go ourselves, giving us a new and intimate perspective on the wild animals that live around us. It's a fascinating and rewarding aspect of wildlife-watching that you can try simply, easily (and cheaply!) on your own or with the family. Go on - amaze your friends!

Simon shows us how you can get really close to wild otters or how to train a robin to feed from your hand. He demonstrates how you can have a conversation with a grasshopper and how to sneak up on rabbits or fallow deer. Did you know that you can go fishing for lizards? Or that you can get a fantastic pedicure - from a prawn? Simon shows you how.

SPRINGWATCH HOLIDAYS
with MARTIN HUGHES-GAMES

Wednesday 17th June 8-9pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ TWO

New Springwatch presenter Martin Hughes-Games is on a mission to get us closer to nature on our holidays. With the credit crunch making more and more people consider a holiday in the UK this year, Martin presents an essential guide to the wilder side of holiday-making. Whether you're going to the seaside, heading for the hills, woods and rivers, going camping or staying home in the garden or around the city, Martin and friends offer tips on wildlife-watching during the one time of year we have the time to really enjoy it.

This summer, millions of us will be taking a break in the UK. Martin travels to some of your favourite holiday destinations to see how you can give them a wild twist. Wherever you're going, there's always wildlife close by. Martin meets local experts and reveals wildlife gems that are right under our noses. He finds that getting closer to nature is easier than you think - it can also be great fun, and doesn't cost the earth. From wild spectacles, to quick and simple things to try out with the family, the UK's amazing wildlife can help spice up your holiday.

SPRINGWATCH HOME MOVIES
with GORDON BUCHANAN

Thursday 18th June 8-9pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ TWO

Springwatch cameraman Gordon Buchanan presents a celebration of the emerging field of home-grown wildlife film-making, now that new technology offers this opportunity to non-professionals - even those on a tight budget.

Springwatch has become known not only for the camerawork of its own team, but for the amazing contributions from its viewers. They often show fascinating - or downright hilarious - behaviour from wildlife which could only ever have been filmed by being lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.

Gordon reminds us of the passionate amateur film-makers - from teenagers to old aged pensioners - that Springwatch has met over the years and finds out what they get from the challenges of filming wildlife. He showcases some of the very best home-grown wildlife moments that viewers have sent in over the years.

Gordon and his Springwatch team colleagues look back at their own experiences as camerapeople and shares with us some of his golden rules of field craft and camera technique. He explains how to make a start at filming yourself, and how to improve your technique, in a light-hearted and easy to absorb wildlife film-making masterclass.

Read Gordon's blog on how your home movies inspired him.