The new, six-part BBC2 TV series, Monty Halls Great Hebridean Escape, began on Wednesday, 21st April at 9pm, and features some of the WDCS team assisting and training the presenter, Monty Halls in his quest to become a wildlife ranger on the remote Scottish islands of North and South Uist, Benbecula, Berneray and Barra.

See the latest episode here (click to 3 mins in); http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00sf1sd/Monty_Halls_Great_Hebridean_Escape_Episode_4/

Following on from his popular first series, Monty Halls’ Great Escapes, marine biologist and professional diver, Monty returns (after a year of city life) to the Highlands and Islands, sharing a restored crofters cottage on North Uist with faithful canine companion, Reuben.

Whilst getting to grips with the realities of Highland life over a period of several months, WDCS head of Scottish policy, Sarah Dolman and international projects co-ordinator, Nicola Hodgins spent some time with Monty braving the elements and advising on aspects of the work he undertook whilst filming (including the identification of a rare species of whale Monty found washed up on the shore whilst out walking). In addition, Nicola later delivered a training presentation to various local volunteers recruited by Monty as part of the WDCS Shorewatch initiative – a programme currently being rolled out in Scotland which aims to recruit a network of volunteer observers, who will then be trained and supported by WDCS experts so that they can conduct year-round, shore-based watches and help collect conservation focused data. Look out for that in later episodes of the series.

Of the islands Monty says: “The wildlife is outstanding. 11 species of whale and dolphin, 20,000 gray seals, countless pairs of wading birds, as well as rare habitats like the machair – the sandy coastal grasslands. Being a nature ranger for such an extraordinary place is just a dream job for me.”

“It was a wonderful opportunity to visit Monty in the Outer Hebrides which are at the very edge of the Atlantic frontier, are sparsely populated and have extensive and remote coastlines making whale and dolphin research challenging”, says Nicola. “The diversity of species we can expect to see from these spectacularly beautiful islands is substantial -over 24 species, including some of the rarer ones- which means that all information obtained on sightings and strandings are incredibly important and can help us to better understand the whales and dolphins in Scotland’s waters.”

Monty Halls Great Hebridean Escape, runs for six weeks from Wednesday, 21st April (9pm).
You can find out more about WDCS Shorewatch here: www.wdcs.org/shorewatch

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