“Countryfile” isn’t exactly known for its adrenaline-pumping action. But this week’s jaunt to the Northumberland coast, airing Sunday, suggests a slightly more lively outing than usual. Puffins run amok, invasive pests skulk about, and, well, there’s a pond. A big one.
Hamza Yassin, apparently not content with merely observing wildlife, is tasked with repairing a roseate tern nesting platform on Coquet Island. The culprits behind the platform’s disrepair? Those adorable-yet-destructive puffins. It’s a tale as old as time — cute creatures causing chaos.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Smith encounters Kuki, a biosecurity dog with a nose for trouble — specifically, the kind of trouble that threatens seabird colonies. This isn’t your average game of fetch. Kuki’s job is vital to protecting these vulnerable populations, although the “pests” probably disagree. It’s a dog-eat-pest world out there.
Shifting from feathered friends to amphibious abodes, the episode also features the inspiring work of community volunteers in Alnmouth as they revitalize a three-acre pond, transforming it into a wildlife sanctuary. It’s a feel-good segment guaranteed to warm even the most cynical heart (or at least distract from the bleak November weather).
Yassin returns to do what he does best — explore. This time, it’s Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, where he’ll search for migrating birds seeking winter refuge. While this sounds tranquil enough, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a close encounter with an overly protective swan. It wouldn’t be “Countryfile” without a minor avian-related mishap.
Oh, and somewhere in the Cotswolds, Adam Henson is picking apples. Because, well, balance.
Catch “Countryfile” on BBC One, this Sunday at 5:20 PM, for a glimpse into the sometimes-chaotic, always-compelling world of the British countryside.
