Episode 1

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall explores the wildlife of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean, the hideaway for some very particular creatures. He becomes captivated by the extraordinary life of the dipper, the UK's only aquatic songbird. Hugh meets one of his wildlife heroes, the tireless Stephanie Tyler, who has studied these delightful birds for 40 years. With the help of wildlife cameraman Robin Smith, the pair get a privileged insight into the extraordinary underwater agility of these unique birds.

On the river, Hugh takes the chance to relive his childhood, catching minnows in the clear waters of the Wye. And nearby, wildlife enthusiast and IT technician Gareth Jones has rigged his garden with a network of mini cameras to spy on the secret lives of his animal neighbours - and his home movies are more gripping than any soap opera!