The Highland Midge

Available for over a year

Chris Packham relives programmes from The Living World archives. Despite its tiny size, the highland midge is often dubbed the scourge of the Scottish holidaymaker. In this programme recorded in 2008, Lionel Kelleway is joined by midge scientist Dr Alison Blackwell at Loch Laggan in the Scottish Highlands. On a warm damp day the mighty gathering as Alison calls it has not quite arrived but as the day warms clouds of midge begin to encircle them. Our own annoyance at its ability to disrupt our BBQ's, camping trips, countryside walks - oh and of course bird watching, it is worth remembering that midges are a vital part of the natural food chain. And our knowledge and understanding of midge biology has continued to grow. Producer Andrew Dawes.