´óÏó´«Ã½

Narrated by Colin Morgan, The Chronicles of Belfast follows a year in the wilder, less-urban areas of the city. Beautifully filmed, each episode looks at one season, starting with spring.

Spring is a season when the city’s hills, woods and rivers begin to emerge from winter and come to life. This episode begins with local conservation volunteer Aaron as he goes up Black Mountain. While carrying out an early-morning wildlife survey, he hears a cuckoo - the first time he has heard one on the mountain, and a sign that spring has arrived.

At Minnowburn allotments, harpist Eileen shares her past experiences of domestic violence, finding peace in the natural space and quiet that the allotments afford. They also provide a base for the Belfast Beekeepers Association, and we see a bee emerge to begin its life. We then meet Tofik, who was born in Eritrea and fled Ethiopia five years ago, now living in Belfast while he applies for refugee status. It’s his first spring here, and after five years on the road, he is hoping that Belfast can become home.

It's then on to St James’ Community Farm. The farm provides a real focus to the community, young and old, and its animals are oblivious to the traffic roaring past on the Westlink. Up in the hills at Slievenacloy, reserves officer Ronald is preparing for the arrival of cattle, while down in the city’s parks, Rene is going for a bike ride despite a brain injury that has left her with limited mobility and partial sight.

In the harbour, at RSPB NI’s nature reserve, warden Maureen is building a temporary artificial island for nesting terns. The programme ends with Ronald hoping to get a photograph of badgers in bluebells, a picture that has taken years of hard work to capture.