Taking Refuge

Iolo Williams explores how animals seek refuge in winter by looking back at stories from Winterwatch and Autumnwatch.

He begins in an old mine near Machynlleth, where he discovers insects sheltering from the weather. However, there is danger lurking in the shadows in the form of cave spiders, which will feast on small creatures that venture too close.

Meanwhile, Welsh cities are becoming a vital refuge for urban hedgehogs, and house mice take up residence in our homes, often finding enough warmth and food in our attics to breed all year round.

In winter, hermit crabs are also looking to move home. Unlike other crabs, hermit crabs don’t grow their own shell and instead occupy an old whelk or periwinkle shell, testing out different dwellings until they find one that fits perfectly.

Finally, Iolo witnesses the mesmerising winter spectacle of a starling murmuration at Newport Wetlands, where thousands of birds swirl in the sky before settling to roost for the night in the reed beds.