Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

Radio 4,20 Feb 2011,22 mins

Ptarmigan

Living World

Available for over a year

The high plateaus of the Scottish highlands are mainland Britain's piece of Arctic tundra, especially the high slopes of the Cairngorm mountain range. Here, on the "roof of Scotland" the vegetation of the heathland changes from one which is good for grouse to another that best suits the Arctic grouse, Ptarmigan. In winter this hardy bird acquires white plumage and nothing short of a set of snow boots! Lionel Kelleway joins Cairngorm Mountain Head Ranger Nic Bullivant on the snow fields of Caringorm looking for the Ptarmigan in their harsh and open mountain-scape. Presented by Lionel Kelleway Produced by Polly Procter.

Programme Website
More episodes