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57 mins

Countryfile

The Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve is one of the best sites in the country to view birdlife, and Sammi Kinghorn and Matt Baker are on the lookout for one of nature's greatest displays – a starling murmuration.

Located along the beautiful south Wales coast, nestled between the Severn Estuary and the River Usk, the wetlands may look like as if they have always been a vibrant place for nature, but the reserve itself was created from the ashes of a neighbouring coal-fired power station back in 2000.

Matt discovers how the wetlands were created and help maintain vital channels for the birds amongst the reeds. Sammi meets a group of female wildlife film-makers, who regularly can be found documenting the reserve’s incredible wildlife. When dusk falls, Matt and Sammi get ready for the spectacle of thousands of starlings taking to the skies for a beautiful winter murmuration.

In the Cotswolds, Adam is visited by the vet for a thorough health check of his livestock for the year ahead, and Tom investigates plans to drill for oil in a number of our most beautiful landscapes.