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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Hawes

When is Sir David Attenborough's new series airing as he returns to BBC with Wild Isles

Sir David Attenborough is a 96-year-old environmentalist and TV presenter who is known for his nature documentaries including Planet Earth and Blue Planet.

Although the presenter is four years away from turning 100, he shows no signs of slowing down as he's announced there's a new documentary series on the way about the wildlife in the British Isles.

The upcoming series has a working title of Wild Isles and it has been filmed over a three-year period to capture British wildlife at its best.

Here's everything you need to know about Wild Isles.

What is Wild Isles about?

According to the BBC, the natural history series "aims to do for the wildlife of Britain and Ireland what the Planet series have done for the wildlife of the world".

Filmed over three years, the series uses the latest technology to capture dramatic new behaviour, from battling butterflies to hunting sea eagles and killer whales - revealing a previously unseen wild side of the British Isles.

David Attenborough will present upcoming documentary Wild Isles (PA)

Sir David said: “In my long lifetime, I have travelled to almost every corner of our planet. I can assure you that in the British Isles, as well as astonishing scenery there are extraordinary animal dramas and wildlife spectacles to match anything I have seen on my global travels.”

The first episode will explain why Britain and Ireland are globally important for nature, while the remaining episodes will celebrate our isles’ four key habitats - woodlands, grasslands, freshwater and marine.

How many episodes will there be?

David Attenborough's Wild Isles will showcase the beauty of the British Isles (WireImage)

There will be five parts to the natural history series as Sir David Attenborough explores the wildlife on the British Isles.

Aerial photography throughout the series will reveal the beauty of the British and Irish countryside, as it has never been seen before.

Motion controlled time-lapse photography will also bring to life the story of the passing seasons; the latest low light cameras will uncover the secret nocturnal lives of many of our favourite animals; and macro photography will reveal the miniature worlds of rock pools, ponds and grasslands.

The upcoming series has been shot at 4K resolution, allowing for an ultra-high definition television delivery.

What can viewers expect to see in Wild Isles?

David Attenborough is now 96 years old (PA)

Viewers can expect to see numerous shots and footage from across the British Isles in the series, including gulls stealing fish from puffins off Northumberland; wild horses battling for access to females in Cambridgeshire; black grouse and hen harriers courting in the Cairngorms and blue fin tuna gathering off the coast of Cornwall.

It will also show red deer stags rutting in one of Ireland’s wildest corners, mayfly hatching on a river in Wiltshire, foxes hunting rabbits at night, and even a bee that rides a broomstick in Dorset.

Is there a release date for Wild Isles?

Sir David Attenborough has travelled the world to film documentaries on the environment (BBC NHU/Alex Board)

A release date for Sir David Attenborough's new documentary series is yet to be announced by the BBC.

The series will be available on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer on its release date.

Eager fans who cannot wait for the new series to air can catch up with Sir David Attenborough's documentaries on BBC iPlayer now.

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