It鈥檚 summer, and while some people seek festivals and fun, others are in search of owls, bats and sharks in the lough, harbour and hills of Belfast.
Local conservationist Aaron travels from his home in Ballymurphy to spend the evening on Black Mountain. He hopes to spot long-eared owls, whose chicks are beginning to emerge from their nests. Down on Belfast Harbour, at RSPB NI鈥檚 nature reserve, warden Maureen is hunting for bats, who come to feed on insects found around the reserve鈥檚 lagoon.
As night moves into day, we meet Wiehong, who is preparing her Chinese dance class for Mela, an annual festival that celebrates Belfast鈥檚 range of different cultures. As the class practise in Lady Dixon Park, surrounded by roses, we learn how teaching traditional dance has helped Wiehong come to terms with the loss of her husband, who died from cancer three years ago.
In the city centre, artist Wee Nuls attempts to add some colour to Belfast鈥檚 streets. With the sounds of the annual Pride festival close by, Wee Nuls's design celebrates the cities LGBTQ + community. In east Belfast, John and Tommy prepare to travel north for a fishing trip at the foot of Cave Hill. Fishing reminds Tommy of childhood trips with his father, and the camaraderie of spending a day with a friend is much more important than the catch.
Up in the hills, away from the bustle of summer in the city, Aaron checks his trail cams for pine martens before camping out for the night, while down on Belfast Lough, reserves officer Ronald is tagging dogfish. The lough is home to a variety of sharks and skate, and Ronald revels in the beauty of the wilder side of Belfast on his doorstep.
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