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Barra Best ventures into beautiful landscapes in search of wild species, meets some unusual ones on the way, and jumps in with the people making the most of our great outdoors.
Barra Best
Self - Presenter
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Barra is in Greenore, on the shores of Carlingford lough. He’s here to meet local man Shane Reenan to help solve the mystery of where Finn, a solitary bottlenose dolphin that has taken up residence in the lough, has come from. Barra then heads to Carlingford, where he hitches a ride out onto the lough at low tide to work on the oyster beds. Finally Barra heads to the Ring of Gullion where he meets Caóilfíonn Murphy O'Hanlon, an artist passionate about celebrating and protecting our only native goat, the Old Irish Goat.
Barra is in Clogher Valley meeting farmers Roger and Elaine who tend to over 100 alpacas. Roger explains to Barra why alpaca fleece is so highly regarded. Barra is then put to work, helping to determine if several alpacas are pregnant, and gives another one a bit of a haircut.
Barra is in the north west, and begins in the species-rich dunes of Umbra nature reserve. He meets Andy Crory, maverick moth recorder for Northern Ireland, on an overnight moth survey in the dunes. Andy successfully encourages Barra to face his fear of moths, and shares his passion for these often misunderstood insects.
Barra Best is in his home town of Belfast, where he takes a boat ride through the busy docks with Dr Justin Judge, a local marine biologist. They search for a local colony of seals who have made their home on the banks. Barra is blown away by the number of seals and their closeness to the city centre.
Barra is in Boho,where he pops by to meet Mary Polizzi. Originally from Zimbabwe, Mary rescues and rehabilitates wild animals from across Northern Ireland. Barra is quickly put to work rounding up house martins, before lending a hand with some other animals that have come into Mary’s care.
Barra heads out to sea from Ballycastle harbour with local fisherman Ian Latham and conservationist Erin McKeown. He’s taking part in a project that monitors the local population of sharks, rays and skates. Barra helps the team as they measure, tag and release sharks.
Barra meets Andrea Cowan as she picks up an injured hedgehog brought in to the local vet. She runs Loughgall Hedgehog Rescue, where Barra meets some of the hedgehogs she’s currently caring for.
Barra visits Carrowhoney pet farm outside Lisnaskea, which is in the process of turning into a sanctuary that rescues exotic animals. Veronica takes Barra to meet some emus, rhea and raccoons and gets him to help her give the kune kune pig a good old scrub.
Strangford may be best known for seals and birds, but Barra is surprised to discover that it should be equally well known for its bees. He meets beekeeper Valentine from Veesbees and her husband Chris at her Loughshore apiary. Barra dons some beekeeping gear to have a go at collecting some honey from the hive.
Barra visits the Mountpanther estate between Dundrum and Clough, home to many animals from deer to wallabies, where he helps local farm manager Tara Russell. He travels to Castlewellan forest park where his fitness is put to the test.
Barra starts off at Murlough National Nature Reserve near Dundrum, where he meets ranger Barry Crawford. The dunes here are rich in wildlife, but it’s a group of Exmoor ponies that keeps them in top condition by cropping the grass short.
Barra begins his journey in Gortin Glen Forest Park, home to a wild population of sika, a small deer that was brought into Ireland from Japan. Travelling on to Clogher Valley, he meets alpaca farmers Roger and Elaine who tend to over 100 of this species native to South America.
Barra starts off on the Inishowen peninsula in Donegal, where he meets Killian McLaughlin, who has set up Wild Ireland, an animal sanctuary for rescued animals. Barra helps him with the feeding rounds and gets up close with some of the bigger animals.
Strangford Lough may be best known for seals and birds, but Barra is surprised to discover that it’s also becoming famous for its honey bees. He meets beekeeper Valentine from Veesbees and her husband Chris at their loughshore apiary. Barra dons beekeeping gear and has a go at collecting some honey from the hive.
Barra visits Oxford Island on the shores of Lough Neagh. Former water ski champion Janet Gray, who is blind and a lover of wildlife, is joined by birdcall expert Dot Blakely, and the three try their hand at ear birding, which allows blind or visually-impaired people to distinguish different types of birds through their calls.
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